1930 Bugatti Type 59 (only rendering)

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The Type 59 Bugatti race car from 1934 was a powerful competitor in its time, featuring an enlarged 3.3-liter version of the straight-8 Type 57's engine on a modified Type 54 chassis. Lowering the engine for better center of gravity and lightening the frame with drilled chassis holes, it boasted signature piano wire wheels that used splines between brake drum and rim. With 250 hp and only eight produced, this race car was driven by notable names like Dreyfus, Brivio, Benoist, Wimille, and Nuvolari. The engine was an impressive 8-cylinder unit with a Roots supercharger, twin overhead camshafts, and Zenith carburetors, while the drive train had a double reduction rear axle and gearbox within a chassis frame. Unique reverse quarter elliptics were used at the rear, and the hollow front axle connected to DeRam shock absorbers via radius arms. The innovative radial spokes on the wire wheels managed cornering loads by engaging gear teeth with the brake drum rim. Despite its impressive weight of 1982 pounds and competitive features, the Bugatti Type 59 had limited success due to high maintenance costs and reliability issues, but still managed some important victories in the hands of skilled drivers.