Bugatti
Type 53

Why it matters

The Type 53 was Bugatti's four-wheel-drive racing car, the only Bugatti of its kind, built in an edition of three. It paired the supercharged five-litre twin-cam eight of the Type 50/54 family with a transfer case driving both axles.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Built around 1931–32, the Type 53 used a 4972 cc supercharged straight-eight with double overhead camshafts and two valves per cylinder, an engine the Bugatti Trust links to the Types 50 and 54. Power went through a central four-speed gearbox with a transfer case to all four wheels. The car sat on a 2.6 m wheelbase with a cowled radiator and cast alloy wheels.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The Bugatti Trust lists a cowled radiator and the four-wheel-drive layout as identifying features, together with the central gearbox with transfer case and right-hand gear lever, cast alloy vane-type wheels with 28 x 5 tyres, and a 102.2 in wheelbase.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Bugatti Type 53 Level B The Bugatti Trust · 2006-08-21

   • Number Made: 3
   • No of cylinders: 8
   • Camshafts: dohc; Valves (per cylinder): 2
   • Carburettor: 2 Zenith
   • Supercharger: Bevel driven Roots
   • RPM Limit (prudent): 4500
   • Central, with transfer, 4-speed and reverse
   • Normal Ratio. 14/42 = 3.0
   • 4-wheel cable operated
   • Track: 49.2in (1.25m)

   Accessed 2026-11-13
2. 2
   1931 Bugatti Type 53 Specifications - Ultimatecarpage.com Level C

   • 3 cars built

   Accessed 2026-11-11
3. 3
   1931 Bugatti Type 53 Specifications Level C Wouter Melissen · Ultimatecarpage.com

   • Straight 8, front, longitudinally mounted, supercharger
   • All wheel drive

   Accessed 2026-11-11
4. 4
   Bugatti Type 53 Level A The Bugatti Trust

   • 8 cylinders, supercharged, dohc
   • Capacity: 4972 cc
   • 86 x 107 mm
   • approximately 300 BHP
   • central, with transfer case, 4-speed plus reverse
   • 4-wheel drive Racer
   • Wheelbase: 102.2 in (2.6 m)

   Accessed 2026-11-11