The Bugatti “Brescia” Turns 100

A legend is turning 100. In 1921, the Bugatti Type 13 “Brescia“ heralded a new trend in motorsport. The open-top sports car brought the era of large, heavy racing cars to an end. The lightweight body, superior chassis and powerful engine made the Type 13 a racecar that was way ahead of its time.

The open-top two-seater weighed just 490 kilograms and was powered by a water-cooled, four-cylinder engine with a capacity of just under 1.5 liters and a power output initially of 40 PS, and later of 50 PS. The racecar had a top speed of 150 km/h – a speed that 100 years ago only considerably heavier and more powerful cars could achieve. However, even these cars rarely stood a chance against the light and agile Type 13 before the first bend. Their bodies were heavier, their chassis less precise, and their tires could rarely withstand the ordeal of racing for long.