Bugatti Type 50
The Bugatti Type 50 was a French sports car developed by Ettore Bugatti in 1931 .
Vehicle and technology
The Type 50 was based on the Bugatti Type 46 and had a 5-liter in -line 8-cylinder engine that developed 200 hp. This vehicle, 65 of which were built, was the first Bugatti with a DOHC engine .
Racing history
The Type 50 made its racing debut at the Mille Miglia in 1931 . Achille Varzi contested the race in a works car , but retired early in the race. For 24-hour race at Le Mans in 1931 Ettore Bugatti announced three works cars. The car with the number 4 was driven by Achille Varzi and Louis Chiron ; Number 5 (chassis number 50143) was driven by Albert Divo and Guy Bouriat ; at the wheel of start number 6 (chassis number 50117) sat the Italian Count Caberto Conelli and the Frenchman Maurice Rost . In the race, the Bugattis had major problems with the Michelin tires. Already during training it became clear that the soft compounds from the French tire brand were not up to the fast Bugattis. On Saturday evening Conelli had a serious accident after a puncture. The wreck of the Type 50S hurled into a group of spectators, where one spectator was killed. After the tragedy became known, Ettore Bugatti withdrew the other two cars from the race.
In the RAC Tourist Trophy 1931 three works cars was indeed reported, but did not appear to practice and race.
In 1933 Guy Bouriat registered a Type 50 at Le Mans, which was driven by Marie Desprez and Pierre Bussienne . The race ended after 119 laps due to a technical defect. In 1934 and 1935 Roger Labric and Pierre Veyron drove chassis number 50177 in Le Mans; The team did not finish in either race.
