1926 Bugatti Type 38
Replacing the Type 30, the Type 38 was a road-tourer featuring a second generation straight-eight, two-liter engine. The first inline-eights had built up a great reputation with the Type 30. As such many components remained the same including the crankshaft.
Compared to the Type 30, the Type 38 introduced a longer wheelbase and a wider track. The engine was very similar to the Type 35A unit, having a triple ball-bearing crankshaft.
A select few Type 38s received the supercharger off the four-cylinder Type 37A. These car were correspondingly called the Type 38A.
Type 38s were produced for a short period from 1926, until 1927, when they were replaced by the Type 43. A few type 38s were built after 1927, but only in limited numbers. Total production to 385 Type 38s were made, with 39 having superchargers.
Pictures & Gallery
See full 1926 Bugatti Type 38 Gallery here
Specs & Performance
| engine | Inline-8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | SOHC, 3 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Twin Zenith or Solex Carbs |
| displacement | 1990 cc / 121.4 in³ |
| bore | 60 mm / 2.36 in |
| stroke | 88 mm / 3.46 in |
| power | 44.7 kw / 60 bhp |
| specific output | 30.15 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 69.61 bhp per tonne |
| front tires | 5.00×19 |
| rear tires | 5.00×19 |
| front brakes | Drums |
| f brake size | mm / in |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| r brake size | mm / in |
| f suspension | Rigid Axle w/Elliptic Springs |
| r suspension | Rigid Axle w/Reversed Quarter-Elliptic Springs |
| curb weight | 862 kg / 1900 lbs |
| wheelbase | 3124 mm / 123.0 in |
| front track | 1250 mm / 49.2 in |
| rear track | 1250 mm / 49.2 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | :1 |
| final drive | 4.67:1 |
Auction Sales History
1927 Bugatti Type 38 Roadster 38385 – sold for $264,000 Believed to Have Been Reconnaissance Car for Elizabeth Junek. Formerly Part of the Peter Williamson Bugatti Collection. Highly Sought After 8-Cylinder Example In Wonderful Unrestored Condition. Classic Blue with Black Color Scheme. Auction Source: The Pebble Beach Auctions 2015 by Gooding and Company
1927 Bugatti Type 38 Roadster 38385 – sold for $198,000 Largely Complete And Appropriate For Restoration. An Eight-Cylinder Bugatti With Interesting Provenance. Believed To Be Elizabeth Junek’s Reconnaissance Car For The 1928 Targa Florio. 346 Naturally Aspirated Type 38s Built From 1926 To 1927. Auction Source: 2008 Monterey Preview
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