Description
BUGATTI 13
PURE-BRED
4-cylinder 1, 500 cc
Dual ignition
Two carburettors
Runs very well
French registration document
FIA papers
- details above
The Bugatti Type 13 “Brescia” is one of the most legendary racing cars in automotive history, produced between 1920 and 1926. Here are its main features and its history:
History and positioning
The Type 13 was designed as early as 1910 by Ettore Bugatti, but its most famous variant, the “Brescia”, was born after the First World War.
It takes its name from its crushing victory at the Brescia Voiturettes Grand Prix in 1921, where the four entered Type 13s finished in the first four places, driven by Friderich, de Vizcaya, Baccoli and Marco.
This success marked a turning point for Bugatti, which subsequently sold over 2, 000 Brescia cars and derivatives (Type 22, Type 23, Type 27).
The Brescia dominated hill climbs and road events in the 1920s, thanks to its lightness, robustness and high-performance engine.
Technical specifications
Engine: inline four, 1, 453 cm³ (bore 68 mm x stroke 100 mm), 16 valves (4 per cylinder), 50 hp (racing version).
Transmission: 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive.
Chassis: Lightweight steel structure, inverted quarter-elliptic leaf-spring suspension (from 1913).
Performance:
Top speed: around 130 km/ h (depending on settings).
Weight: around 500 kg, giving it exceptional agility on winding roads and demanding circuits.
Design:
Clean lines, horse-shoe shaped radiator, wire-spoked wheels.
Open bodywork (roadster) or torpedo, depending on version.
Record and legacy
The Type 13 Brescia won numerous races across Europe, notably in Italy, France and Britain, and helped forge Bugatti’s reputation as a maker of unbeatable racing cars.
It inspired subsequent models, such as the Type 22 (long wheelbase) and the Type 23, as well as the famous Type 35.
The Brescia is regarded as one of the early “pure” sports cars, combining lightness, power and handling.
