Bugatti Type 18

Power came from a large 5.0 L (5027 cc/306 in³) straight-4 engine with 3 valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft. This large engine had a 100 mm bore and very long 160 mm stroke, so it could only rev to about 2400 rpm. Power was transferred through a multi-plate metal-on-metal clutch to a 4-speed with reverse manual transmission. Two chains - one exposed each side outside of the main chassis rails - drove the rear wheels, with the factory providing three sets of rear wheel chain sprockets, which meant the maximum speed was close to . ==Chassis No. 474 "Black Bess"==

The first car in the series, No.471, was actively campaigned by Ettore Bugatti himself in competition in 1912. No.472 was delivered new to Paris, and No.473 was delivered new to Alfred Hielle of Schoenlinde, a close friend of Ettore Bugatti. In 1925 it was sold to Oxford University student L H Preston, who continued to race the car under the name "Black Bess". and is now on public display in the Louwman Museum in the Netherlands. 1913 Bugatti Type 18 1.jpg 1913 Bugatti Type 18 SportsTwo seater Black Bess p1.JPG 1913 Bugatti Type 18 SportsTwo seater Black Bess p2.JPG ==Surviving examples==

There are three cars surviving. Alongside "Black Bess"", No.715 is on public display at the Schlumpf Collection, Musée National de l'Automobile de Mulhouse in France. The third car, on chassis No.471 but with a different chassis's engine, is privately owned in England. ==References==