In 2024, Bugatti commemorates the centennial anniversary of its iconic Type 35, unveiled in 1924, which swiftly gained fame for its exceptional performance, handling, and distinctive design. Ettore Arco Isidoro Bugatti, the founder of the renowned French luxury brand, personally crafted the Type 35.
The Type 35 remains one of the most triumphant race cars in history, triumphing in over 1,000 races across eight variations. Notably, Louis Chiron’s victories in Grand Prix races with the Type 35 cemented its legendary status, leading Bugatti to pay homage to both the car and the driver by naming its Veyron replacement after Chiron.
Born into a family steeped in art and design influences, Bugatti, despite lacking formal engineering training, introduced technical innovations with the Type 35 that pushed the boundaries of motorsport.
“The Bugatti Type 35 was the world’s pioneer purpose-designed and engineered race car. Unlike its predecessors, it wasn’t a modified road car for racing, though it performed admirably as a road car as well,” stated Luigi Galli, Bugatti’s specialist for heritage and certification.
“Ettore Bugatti’s meticulous approach to the overall concept and every minute detail resulted in a car that set unprecedented standards in design, engineering, materials, handling, and performance. The Type 35 heralded the Grand Prix era and compelled other manufacturers to entirely rethink their strategies.”
Among its revolutionary features were alloy wheels, which boasted reduced unsprung weight compared to the wired sets of its contemporaries. With its sleek profile, low stance, and concealed rear suspension for reduced drag, the Type 35 set new benchmarks in automotive design.
Performance-wise, the Type 35 was unrivaled, featuring a 2.0-liter in-line eight-cylinder engine initially, later supercharged and enlarged to 2.3 liters, delivering up to 89 horsepower and a redline reaching 6,000 rpm. This power, coupled with its lightweight chassis and unconventional rear axle design, ensured its dominance on the racetrack despite its modest weight of 1,653 pounds.
“In its debut in 1924, the Bugatti Type 35 revolutionized the automotive industry, fundamentally altering perceptions of vehicle design and engineering,” Galli remarked. “A century later, its impact and allure remain undiminished.
The Type 35 epitomizes Bugatti’s DNA, alongside the Bugatti Atlantic and the Bugatti Royale. Each Bugatti vehicle embodies the design and engineering ethos of Ettore Bugatti, as epitomized by the Type 35 a hundred years ago.”
Finding a perfectly restored Bugatti Type 35 for sale today is exceedingly rare, and those available fetch millions of dollars. However, for enthusiasts eager to experience a semblance of ownership, the Little Car Company offers 75% scale replicas called Bugatti Baby II, albeit at a price tag well into five figures.