User Manual

5
He had clearly caught the
‘Bugitis’ virus- an incurable
disease that would
ultimately kill him.
44266 was his fourth Bugatti, and Bear was co-founder of the Bugatti Owners Club
(BOC); member # 6. He was a very enthusiastic organizer and participant of Bugatti
rallies and a serious contender during races and sprints.
Especially for speed trials, hill climbs and
rallies he embarked on a project to make
this car much faster: He bought two new
cylinder blocks from the Bugatti factory in
Molsheim in order to increase the size of
the engine from 2997 to 3257 cc, and new
‘specialoid’ pistons were fitted increasing
the compression ratio with which he
gained 10 Hp to 100 hp.
Pic: Kenneth Bear did not
really like the looks of the
rear end of his car after he
had shortened the chassis
as can be seen here, so
he had it modified to a
boat tail style body as can
be seen later. (Photo
courtesy of the Bugatti
Trust D1319-27)
Pics: Left 44266 with difficulties during the Lewes
speed trial, October 21, 1933. Called ‘ten push
power tourer’, pushed by bystanders. In spite of
this Kenneth Bear had a first place in class B. Here
it still is a four seater (Bugantics, 1933; 2: 2:8)