The Bugatti Type 37A “La Mouche” is a particularly rare and intriguing variant of the supercharged Type 37A, distinguished not just by its engineering but also by its name—La Mouche, or “The Fly” in French. This nickname, likely inspired by the car’s speed, agility, and compactness, reflects its character as a nimble, fast-moving machine ideally suited to tight, challenging circuits and hill climbs.
Built on the foundation of the standard Type 37A, La Mouche retained the 1.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine equipped with a Roots-type supercharger. This boosted the engine’s output to around 80 horsepower, allowing for brisk acceleration and top speeds of over 100 mph. With its relatively low weight and sharp throttle response, the car lived up to its name, darting through corners and sweeping along straights with remarkable ease.
What set the La Mouche apart visually and structurally was its even more stripped-down and lightweight design. Some examples of this nickname were applied to cars with particularly minimal bodywork, often used in hill climbs or sprint events where the emphasis was on speed and lightness above all else. The body might have featured additional louvers, a shortened tail, or reduced trim, enhancing the sense of a car purpose-built for fast, agile performance.
The chassis remained consistent with other 37As—featuring Bugatti’s sophisticated lightweight frame, hollow front axle, and cast alloy wheels with integral brakes. These components contributed to the car’s excellent balance and made it ideal for drivers who valued precision and feedback over brute force.
La Mouche is not a factory model in the traditional sense but rather a nickname applied to one or a handful of particularly quick and light 37As by owners or enthusiasts. It is emblematic of the creativity and personalization often seen in the golden age of motorsport, when racers would fine-tune and modify their cars for specific events.
Today, any Type 37A referred to as La Mouche is considered an especially charming and collectible piece of Bugatti history—a rare blend of bespoke character, competition heritage, and mechanical finesse. It captures the essence of early racing passion, where individuality and ingenuity were as important as factory specification.