Also known as de Dietrich Bugatti, the Type 5 was another baby step taken by the French car manufacturer at the beginning of the XXth century.

The battle between electric vehicles and internal combustion cars was not over, but Bugatti placed his bets on the later ones. He eventually won, but he had to go through years of painstaking efforts to get there. Before WWI, he began upgrading and working on his cars and developed the Type 5 as a link between the Type 4 and the following 6 and 7 models.

Bugatti used a tubular chassis for the Type 5 and installed a huge engine compartment in front of the occupant’s area. It was built as a race-car with no other body panels other than those covering the engine. At the front, the big and exposed radiator sported the red, oval badge of the manufacturer. One important detail was the crank that was not removable and was kept on one side by a chain. The driver had to use it to start the engine.

Like any other race car from that era, the Type 5 featured a taller seat for the driver and a shorter one for the co-driver/mechanic. There were no seatbelts or specific racing features. While the driver had to keep an eye on the small speedometer mounted almost on the floor, the co-driver had to keep an eye on the lubrication system. Just behind them, Bugatti installed a wood crate for spare parts, tools, and warm clothes.

Emille Mathis designed the 12.9-liter four-cylinder “Hermes” engine. It provided 45 hp and was paired to a four-speed manual gearbox. Power went to the rear axle via a chain.

ENGINE SPECS – 12.9
Cylinders:	L4
Displacement:	12867 cm3
Fuel System:	Carburetor
Fuel:	Gasoline

TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:	Front Wheel Drive

BRAKES SPECS
Front:	Drums
Rear:	Drums

DIMENSIONS
Front/rear Track:	49.2/49.2 in (1,250/1,250 mm)
Wheelbase:	118.1 in (3000 mm)
Manufacturer	De Dietrich
Model	60 CV Course Bugatti Type 5
Year of production	1903
Start of production	1902
End of production	1903
Body type	roadster
Number of doors	0
Number of seats	2
Engine position	front
Drive wheel	rear
Fuel	petrol
Number of cylinders	inline 4
Cooling	liquid
Capacity	12868 ccm, 781.6 cu-in
Bore	160.0 mm, 6.299 in
Stroke	160.0 mm, 6.299 in
Compression ratio
Valve Gear	OHV
Valves per cylinder	2
Fuel system	carburator
Aspiration	normal
Max power [kW / PS / hp]	44 / 60 / 59
Max torque [Nm / ft-lb]
Total power (hybrid)
Total torque (hybrid)
Gearbox	M4
Gearbox (option)
Wheelbase	3000 mm, 118.1 in
Front track	1250 mm, 49.2 in
Rear track	1250 mm, 49.2 in
Length
Width
Height
Weight
Maximum speed	120 km/h, 75 mph