1928 | Bugatti Type 37 A

1928 Bugatti Type 37A
Chassis Number: BC110 (37336)
Registration Number: OU5142
The 1500cc T37 was introduced by Bugatti in 1926 to replace the, by then, outdated 1500cc T13. The T37 is powered by a 1500cc. single overhead cam four cylinder engine. The suffix 'A' was added to distinguish the supercharged version from the unblown type. Both the T37 and T37A were raced with conspicuous success in the latter half of the 1920's and in the 1930's.
OU5142 was bought new in April 1928 by Bugatti's Czech agent, Vladimir Gut, and delivered to Prague. It was then sold to Milos Havel, uncle of the later Czechoslovakian President, Vaclav Havel. Milos Havel took part in several local races in the T37, between 1928 and 1930.
Nothing further is known about the car until the early 1990s, when it was found in a dismantled state by Branislav Sudjic in Bohemia and imported into the U.K. It then underwent a major restoration which was completed in 2003. The owner at that time, Derek Hitchman, competed at the Bugatti Owners' Club Prescott Hillclimb a number of times, before selling it to the present owner, in 2006.
Since then the current onwer of lt has regularly competed at Prescott and taken part in various Bugatti rallies in this car.
The car comes with a huge set of bills from noted marque expert Ivan Dutton who was also responsible for upgrading the car to supercharged form. The head on the engine is a dual plug affair with a clever modification done at the rear of the engine to allow for dual distributors to be fitted.
The engine, transmission, axles, radiator, wheels and various other components are original. Unfortunately, the chassis was lost at some point in the car's history before it was imported into the UK. It was therefore rebuilt on a Gino Hoskings frame. In 2012, the car was fitted with a supercharger, which was made by Ivan Dutton Ltd and installed by Robin Townsend.
The previous owner notes:
As I recall there was an engine, gearbox, front axle, rear axle, springs, wheels, radiator, steering box and other small bits and pieces. They were all from the same car. The account that I was given was that the previous owner had had both the Type 37 and a Type 40 during and after the war. With the rest also came two Bugatti chassis side rails. Whilst it would probably have been possible to build the chassis up it seemed much simpler at the time to buy one of the Gino Hosking's chassis'. I got if from Ivan Dutton, this had apparently been lying about for a while and it was the last of a batch which he had made. These chassis' were renowned for being absolutely identical to the original factory ones in every way. This would have been some time in the middle of the 80's, roundabout 1984 or 1985. I had actually bought the dismantled car sometime before then, I suspect round about 1980 or 1981.
The car is correctly registered as a 1928 Bugatti by DVLA. It comes with a VSCC Sports car passport & indeed has participated in many VSCC events. The car is beautifully patinated & has a wonderful feel to it. The interior of the cockpit is plastered with Presoott & other scrutineering stickers. The car goes extremely well since the engine has been blown & the twin plug head added.
It is road ready & can immediately be used in competitive events.