1920 BUGATTI TYPE 13

French title
Chassis n° 772
Engine n° 445

• Rare and interesting model
• High quality restoration
• Ready to drive
• Surprising performance

Around 2003, after restoring a Bugatti 57, Bruno Lafourcade and François Chevalier found themselves looking for a new project to occupy their weekends. "We discovered a Bugatti Type 13 in bits with Yves Ancelin. An engine in pieces, radiator, chassis, worm-type steering box, gearbox, differential, axle, four wooden wheels etc," explains François Chevalier. "The car was pretty much complete...at least the first half!" The little 1300cc 8-valve engine was rebuilt by Laurent Rondoni (Ventoux Moteur Ingénierie) with a hollow crankshaft. The lubrication was modified so that it could be lubricated under pressure using the original oil pump. Laurent Rondoni also adapted the metal plates between the radiator and the engine to make the front part of the chassis more rigid. This is a common and discreet improvement often carried out on Type 13 and 22/23 cars. With the mechanical side of the work entrusted to an internationally renowned specialist, "the rest" was carried out by Bruno and François in their spacious garage. This included the paintwork which was carried out by Bruno and François using paintbrushes and sandpaper. It took a lot of delicate work, matching the front and rear wings for example, to make sure the car was just right.
The Type 13 was given a few discreet upgrades to improve its driveability. An alternator driven by the propellor shaft powers a starter motor and the lighting (while retaining the original acetylene headlights). A rev counter graduated to 4000 rpm, taken from a Delage, allows the speed to be monitored. "I once took it up to 3000 revs," recalls François. "That must correspond to a good 102-103 km/h. But with the 8-valve engine, it’s the car that sets the pace. It drives at 2,500 rpm, around 80 km/h." François Chevalier added an adaptable Michelin spare wheel that could get the car to a garage in the event of a problem. "It’s very clever" notes the Bugatti enthusiast. "This additional wheel is attached to the outside of the wheel. But I’m not sure how that would work at the front."
Following a year and a half of restoration work, Bruno and François set off on a trip into the Alps involving a dozen passes! "We only went into first gear once or twice." remembers François Chevalier. The descents were probably more exciting than the ascents given the lack of front brakes !
Inspected in 2004, this little Bugatti, one of around a thousand examples built, (with scarcely half a dozen remaining in France), was one of Bruno Lafourcade’s favourite cars, as he could set off in it at a moment’s notice. Well- known to specialists and equipped with French registration, this Type 13 offers a rare opportunity to take part in the Bugatti dream, with complete peace of mind.

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1920-bugatti-type-13-4134-116