Ettore Bugatti's Type 35 was introduced in 1924 and quickly established its credentials as the definitive Grand Prix racing car, remaining competitive for the next decade. Its attractive and effective design would continue with few visual changes through the final Type 51 variant of 1931/1932. During its competition career, it won over 1,000 races and took the Grand Prix World Championship in 1926.

Beneath the graceful bonnet was an engine first used with the Type 29. It was a three-valve 2.0-liter overhead camshaft straight-eight with a 60mm bore and a stroke of 88mm. It had five main bearings with a non-traditional ball bearing system which allowed high revolutions, up to 6,000 RPM, and 90 horsepower. It had two intake and one large exhaust, twin carburetors, and tubular exhaust headers. Its tapered chassis was rigid and used a hollow front axle, quick-change flat-spoke alloy wheels with integral brake drums, and leaf springs. The springs passed through the front axle rather than the system used on previous cars of U-bolting them together. The minimalistic body had a sharply pointed rear end (boattail) and a horseshoe-style radiator grille. The wheelbase measured 94.5-inches (2400mm) and had an overall length of 144.9-inches (3680mm).

Ten examples had been constructed at Bugatti's Molsheim factory by the time of the 1924 French Grand Prix held at Lyons, with five Works entries and five held in reserve. The team was plagued by tire issues throughout the race but did manage to finish in 7th place for the lead Bugatti, putting the world on notice in the process. The Type 35s would soon dominate Grand Prix racing, capturing 351 victories and 47 records in its first two production years. Factory driver Meo Constatini's outright victory at the 1925 Targa Florio was the first of five successive Bugatti victories there, dominating through 1929.

The Type 35A was introduced in May of 1925 and was essentially a less expensive version of the Type 35 intended for fast touring with body and chassis identical to the racing Type 35. Its engine used a simpler ball-bearing crankshaft, smaller valves, and battery-and-distributor ignition instead of a magneto. It developed less horsepower than the Type 35, but was easier to maintain. Instead of the alloy wheels of the Type 35, the 35A received wire-spoked wheels. It was given the nickname the 'Tecla' after a famous maker of imitation jewelry, even though it was capable of approaching 100 mph at 4,500 RPM in top gear.

Ninety-six examples of the Type 35 were built along with 139 of the Type 35A.

When Ettore Bugatti reluctantly added the Roots supercharger to his Grand Prix car, the Type 35C was birthed. It used a single Zenith carburetor and offered nearly 128 horsepower. Fifty examples were built and continued to build upon the Type 35's Grand Prix legacy by winning the French Grand Prix at Saint-Gaudens in 1928 and at Pau in 1930.

To contest the 1926 Targa Florio race, Bugatti built a special version of the Type 35 known as the Type 35T, also known as the Targa Florio. Its engine was given a longer 100mm stroke which boosted displacement to 2.3-liters (2,262cc). Thirteen examples were built but their appeal was limited as Grand Prix rules capped engine displacement at 2.0 liters.

The final iteration of the Type 35 was the Type 35B of 1927, although its original name was the Type 35TC. It used the 2.3-liter engine of the Type 35T along with a supercharger which brought output to 138 horsepower. The Type 35B boasted incredible performance figures and was capable of accelerating from zero-to-sixty mph in six seconds with top speed achieved at 125 mph. Forty-five examples were built and accolades achieved in competition include a victory in 1929 at the French Grand Prix at Le Mans.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 4613
Engine number: 44

It is believed that over a 1,000 races would be won by the Bugatti Type 35 and the later-part of the 1920s would be absolutely dominated by the revolutionary little 2.0-liter Bugatti. Competing against such factory efforts as Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Delage, Itala and Sunbeam, Bugatti would thoroughly rule the grand prix scene as a result of advanced new technologies and designs, power and sheer numbers.

The Type 35 would make its debut in 1924 at the French Grand Prix. It wouldn't take all that long before the Type 35 wouldn't just win but would become the car of choice and would be driven by such greats as Tazio Nuvolari, Louis Chiron, Rene Dreyfus and Grover Williams.

Despite only being powered by a 2.0-liter eight-cylinder engine, the lightweight car would be able to reach average speeds in excess of 100mph. This would be made possible as a result of the 95bhp engine, the lightweight chassis and the sheer courage of the drivers of the day. Beautifully balanced and sporting the revolutionary hollow axle, the Type 35 handled in a manner that provided great confidence.

This confidence would lead to the Type 35 earning three victories at Monaco, including the very first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929. In that race, William Grover-Williams would go on to take victory over Georges Bouriano also driving a Type 35 Bugatti. In fact, out of the top ten in that race no less than half would be Type 35 chassis.

It would be this kind of success that would lead to the Type 35 earning the Grand Prix World Championship in 1926. The Type 35 would also be more than capable in long distance events like the Targa Florio. In fact, the Bugatti Type 35 would go on to win the arduous test no less than five times and would help to further cement the legend of Bugatti in motor racing.

Chassis 4613 would be completed in August of 1925 and would be delivered to Bugatti's dealership in London. Before being sold, the car would be put on display as part of the Olympia Motor Show. Malcolm Campbell would be Bugatti's London agent and he would be involved in the sales of their racing cars and would end up working out a deal with the soon to be famous Woolf Barnato.

Not lacking means, Barnato would already be well-known around England. However, his fame as a multiple champion at Le Mans was still coming, and so, he would start out by ordering one of the first Bugatti Type 35s to be sold in England.

Barnato would take delivery of his new car in January. When delivered, the car would come finished as if for the road. The car would include headlights, wings and other not-so-ordinary trimmings. Despite receiving the car in road trim, Barnato wouldn't take too long before he would enter the Bugatti in the Brooklands Automobile Racing Club Easter Monday Meeting. The Bugatti's very first race would be a short one, just a two-lap handicap. Barnato would not drive the car, that honor would be given to George Duller who would promptly go out and take victory averaging a little more than 97mph over the course of the handicap race. The second lap would be the best as he would nearly average 104mph around the banked Brooklands circuit.

The car would later be entered in the Bank Holiday Meeting in May of 1925. Again with Duller at the wheel, 4613 would show its worth placing 3rd. However, the most impressive part of the 3rd place result would be the fact the car would average better than 106mph on the final lap. This would certainly be evidence of just how confident Duller was behind the wheel of the car as he pushed it to its absolute limits.

Barnato would keep the Bugatti for a handful of years before his interests with Bentley would distract him away from the Bugatti. Therefore, in 1928 Barnato would sell the car to London car dealer Jack Bartlett. Bartlett would broker the deal that would send 4613 to Stuart Tresilian, an engineer with Rolls-Royce. He too would take part in some races with the Type 35 and would be quite successful with the car earning a number of victories, a few of the more than 1,000 earned by the type. All throughout this period of Tresilian's ownership the car would retain the headlights and fenders and would even be put before some of those at Rolls-Royce to learn about the ways of their competitors.

By the end of the 1930s, 4613 would end up in the hands of Leslie Bachelier who owned and raced quite a few Bugatti grand prix models. At this time, the car would be updated to include a 100mm stroke camshaft. This update would effectively increase the engine capacity to 2.3-liters. Soon afterward, the Type 35 would be sold to P.F. Norton of Amersham and would continue to change hands over the next couple of decades.

Including periods of ownership by Stanley Martin, Claude Powell and J. Winston Smith, 4613 would remain a popular Bugatti and would have no problem finding a home. Then, in 1961, Jack Horton would acquire the car. Horton was a noted Bugatti enthusiast and he would enjoy the car for a short time before he too would sell it to Hamish Moffatt. Moffatt would purchase the car in 1965 and would retain it all the way until 2001.

Although the Bugatti would be used less and less over the length of Moffatt's ownership he would still take part in the 50th anniversary of the Type 35, which meant he would ship the car to Lyon for the event.

In 2001, the car was purchased by Michael Gottsche. Upon purchasing the Type 35, Gottsche would turn to Ivan Dutton to get the car working. Following the work, 4613 would be seen in a number of Mille Miglia events.

In 2010, the car would again be sold. At the time, the Type 35 would be inspected and found to retain a surprising number of original components, including its original factory engine, original hollow front axle and even the original gearbox. Therefore, 4613 remains one of the most original and authentic of the Type 35 grand prix chassis.

Already considered one of the finest and greatest cars of all time, each of the Type 35 Bugattis would be invaluable in its own right. However, 4613 would have to be considered amongst a select company given its high originality and detailed history.

Offered at the 2013 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction, 4613 would draw estimates ranging from between $2,500,000 and $3,000,000. Unfortunately, bidding would not meet expectations and the 1925 Bugatti Type 35 would not sell.

Sources:

'Lot No. 17: 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix', (http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1925-bugatti-type-35-grand-prix/). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1925-bugatti-type-35-grand-prix/. Retrieved 21 August 2013.

'1924 Bugatti Type 35 News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/z19500/Bugatti-Type-35.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/z19500/Bugatti-Type-35.aspx. Retrieved 21 August 2013.

by Jeremy McMullen

Roadster

The Bugatti Type 35 was first produced in 1924 and was powered by a two-liter, un-blown engine. The following year, it received a smaller 1.5-liter engine. It was quickly followed by three supercharged examples that were created to contest the Alsatian Grand Prix. Even though there were naturally aspirated and supercharged engines, these cars all had the same Type 35 designation.

The Type 35 would become one of the most successful vehicles produced by the legendary Bugatti company. They helped establish the marque as a competitive race-car manufacturer, with 12 major Grand Prix victories in 1926 alone. The following year, the Type 35s, in both privateer and factory hands, captured over 2000 victories in a vast array of motorsports competition.

This 1925 Bugatti is a Type 35/51.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 4487
Engine number: 43

Unveiled at the Grand Prix of Lyon in 1924, the Bugatti Type 35 was immediately hailed as an automotive marvel, combining state-of-the-art engineering with a masterful aesthetic design. With this car, Bugatti dominated racing throughout the 1920s capturing over 1,000 wins in a variety of competitions.

The car displayed, chassis # 4487 equipped with engine #43, was completed in August 1925. It is a Lyon model, named for the debut location. It was delivered to the Bugatti Agent in Paris and was purchased by Wallis Clinton Bird, an American honeymooning in Paris. Although he owned the car, Bird was not a committed race driver. He raced the car once, in 1937, suffering a cracked steering box. Bird was killed in a private plane crash in 1940. The car was sold by O'Reilly's Plaza Art Galleries during an auction at the Bird Estate. The car has had only four owners to date.

The car remains in remarkably original order due to its limited use. It retains much of its original equipment, stampings and markings.

The Bugatti Type 35 is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful pre-war racers from the legendary Bugatti Company. Its beauty is matched by its accomplishments, is one of the most successful pre-war racer winning over 1000 races and capturing the 1926 Grand Prix World Championship with 351 races. During that two-year period, it also claimed 47 records. From 1925 through 1929, the Bugatti Type 35 dominated the Targa Florio.

The first Bugatti Type 35 was introduced on August 3rd, 1924. It was powered by a modified engine used in the Type 29. The 3-valve 2-liter overhead cam straight-eight engine had five main bearings and produced around 90 horsepower. The suspension was comprised of leaf springs attached to solid axles. Stopping power was provided by drum brakes in the rear operated by cables which could be seen on the vehicle's exterior. In total, there were 96 examples produced.

There were multiple versions of the Type 35 which were specifically designed to accommodate many types of racers. The Type 35A, nicknamed 'Tecla' was an inexpensive version of the Type 35 and first appeared in May of 1925. Its nickname was given by the public after a maker of imitation jewelry. The engine was a reliable unit borrowed from the Type 30. It used three bearings, had smaller valves, coil ignition, and produced less horsepower than its Type 35 sibling. In total, 139 examples of the Type 35A were created.

Though Ettore Bugatti favored naturally aspirated engines, the Type 35C was given a Roots-Type supercharger which boosted power to an impressive 128 horsepower. Only fifty examples were created, with many providing historic victories for the company. The Type 35C won the 1928 and 1930 French Grand Prix, undoubtedly their greatest accomplishments.

The Bugatti Type 35T, commonly known as the Targa Florio, was specially prepared for the Targa Florio race. There were only thirteen examples produced. It was powered by a 2.3-liter engine. When Grand Prix rules changed, stating that engine displacement sizes of up to 2 liters were required, the Type 35T became obsolete and production ceased.

The Bugatti Type 35B was introduced in 1927 and was the final iteration of the Type 35 series. The name Type 35TC was pondered since it shared the same 2.3-liter engine as the Type 35T and a supercharger just like the Type 35C. The engine produced an astonishing 138 horsepower, by far the most of the Type 35 series. In total, there were only 45 examples produced, with one of their most significant accomplishments being the victory at the 1929 French Grand Prix.

The Type 39 was produced alongside the Type 35B but adhered to current Grand Prix regulations which limited engine capacities to 1.5 liters. Only ten examples of the Type 39 were produced.

by Dan Vaughan

THE LEGENDARY BUGATTI TYPE 35 – THE WORLD'S MOST SUCCESSFUL RACING CAR

Ettore Bugatti ushered in the golden years of the 1920s with the Type 35

Molsheim, 6 May 2019. Light, strong, fast and elegant. The Bugatti Type 35 is one of the most successful racing cars of all time. And deservedly so: the French manufacturer's open-top sports car secured over 2,000 victories between 1924 and 1930. Today, the Type 35 is a legend in international motor sport. And a whole lot more besides.

'The Bugatti Type 35 is one of the icons of Bugatti's rich history and tradition. Back in 1924, the sports car was unparalleled in its technology, design and performance and the same still goes today. It is both an inspiration and a commitment,' says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. 'This makes the Type 35 one of the forefathers of our current hyper sports cars, the Chiron1, Chiron Sport2 and Divo3. Steeped in the Type 35's DNA, they are translating this tradition for the modern age.'

A technical masterpiece

The Type 35 was not just a racing car. It was a technical masterpiece: For the first time ever, the company's founder Ettore Bugatti used a crankshaft supported by two roller bearings and three ball bearings – and this crankshaft is still seen as a feat of engineering to this day. It could run at speeds of up to 6,000 rpm to power the eight pistons in the engine, which started out with a capacity of just 2.0 litres. At the time, it was one of the only car capable of achieving such power. Thanks to other changes – such as using two carburettors instead of one – the car's power increased to around 95 PS, which was transmitted by a wet multi-plate clutch. The drive system in the first versions of the Type 35 was able to achieve speeds of over 190 km/h. The less expensive basic model, the 35A, was based on a 2.0-litre eight-cylinder engine with 75 PS. In its later iteration, the Type 35 B (which had a 2.3-litre eight-cylinder engine and compressor), the Bugatti's power increased to up to 140 PS and its top speeds exceeded 215 km/h. As well as their incredible performance, the engines were primarily renowned for their reliability and endurance.

Even in the early 1920s, Ettore Bugatti had come to realise that, while plenty of power may be helpful, it has little effect in a heavy car. That's why he relentlessly pursued lightweight construction and the best driveability possible in his cars – more than any other engineer in the world of motor sport. Bugatti was the first to develop special smooth-running wheels to reduce the unsprung masses and, as a result, improve the response of the suspension. The wheels – made from cast aluminium with eight flat ribbon-style spokes, detachable rims and an integral brake drum – were an innovation. A rim ring stopped the tyre from popping off.

Lightweight front axle for better vehicle handling

To achieve this, Bugatti developed a new hollow, forged front axle with sealed ends. Weighing around ten kilograms, the axle was incredibly light but still stable. Unlike with its competitors, broken axles were quite rare. The unsprung masses were decreased even further and the Type 35 was able to take corners at higher speeds. The ready-to-run racing car weighed around 750 kilograms. Bugatti designed all models as pure racing vehicles, but also mounted wings and lighting at customer request to make them roadworthy.

Then came the sleek and elegant design – sculpture-like, just like the vehicle as a whole. The elegant, well-proportioned body with its slim, lightweight shell and pointed back end were made from a self-developed special alloy. Thanks to the wider radiator (the first radiator to have a flat bottom), the Type 35 had a more powerful road presence. The Type 35 was not regarded as the most beautiful racing vehicle of its time for nothing.

However, the newly developed Type 35's first race was not particularly successful. At the end of July 1924, Bugatti entered five Type 35s into the French Grand Prix in Lyon. Despite recording the quickest laps during training, the racing cars were defeated by their competitors in the race itself. Later on, however, it was discovered that it was not the engines or mechanics to blame for the poor result but the tyres – they had not been vulcanised properly and were unable to withstand the high speeds. At the next race in San Sebastian, the Type 35 managed to finish in second place, marking the start of an incredible career.

With the addition of a three-lobe Roots-type supercharger in 1926, the Type 35's power increased to a maximum of 140 PS. As a result, the racing car was not just light and agile, but also unbelievably powerful. To make sure the new supercharger fitted in with the overall aesthetics of the engine compartment, Bugatti had it designed especially. Beauty comes from within – Ettore Bugatti was already well aware of this over 90 years ago.

The new feature had a positive impact on the car's success, too. The supercharged variant, the Type 35 C, and its derivatives, the Type 35 T and Type 35 B, won countless Grand Prix races up to 1930, as well as the unofficial World Championship title in 1926 and five consecutive victories in the world's most famous road race, the Targa Florio. Renowned drivers like Alberto Divo, Tazio Nuvolari, Louis Chiron and Williams all took to the wheel of the Type 35. Even female racing drivers such as Hellé Nice and Eliska Junkova chose to drive the Type 35. Junkova achieved a legendary performance in the 1928 Targa Florio, leading the field for a considerable period before eventually finishing in fifth. In Germany, the Type 35 achieved its greatest triumph on the Nürburgring in 1929.

Bugatti built 340 Type 35s in total, though the exact production figures are now no longer clear. The Type 35 was replaced by its successor, the Type 54, in 1931. A large number of vehicles were still used in races and modified or converted for many years. Very few remain intact nowadays. The select few owners of a Type 35 can count themselves lucky. As Ettore Bugatti said himself: 'The Type 35 was the founding father of a family of pure-blooded racehorses from Molsheim – a true thoroughbred.' Its DNA lives on to this day in the French luxury brand's current model range.

by Bugatti