Bugatti Type 35

Lore & Background

The arch/egg-shaped radiator is emblematic, as is the rear of the car. The tapered stern has been called a 'Bordino tail' and Ettore Bugatti may have been influenced by the shape of the earlier Fiat 804 driven and modified by Pietro Bordino. The car has also become synonymous with being the first to use cast alloy wheels. The Type 35 was phenomenally successful, winning over 1,000 races in its time. It took the Grand Prix World Championship in 1926 after winning 351 races and setting 47 records in the two prior years. At its height the Type 35 averaged 14 race wins per week. Bugatti won the Targa Florio for five consecutive years, from 1925 through 1929, with the Type 35.

Reader's Guide

The Bugatti Type 35 was continually being modified and improved upon, but broadly falls into the following nomenclature: Type 35 (naturally aspirated), Type 35A, Type 35T, Type 35C, Type 35B, Type 37, Type 37A, Type 39. The original Type 35 was introduced at the 1924 French Grand Prix, held at Lyon. The inaugural outing was not a success due to fitment of badly-vulcanised Dunlop tyres. The car used an evolution of the three-valve 1991 cc overhead cam straight-eight engine.

Output was up to 90 hp. 96 un-supercharged T35 examples were produced. The Type 35A appeared in May 1925, with 139 examples produced. The Type 35T had a 2262 cc engine; 13 were produced. The Type 35C featured a Roots supercharger; approximately 45 left the factory.

The Type 35B (Type 35TC) had a 2.3 litre engine with a large supercharger; around 37 were produced. The Type 37 used a 1.5 litre straight-4 engine; around 223 were built. The Type 37A was supercharged; around 67 were produced. The Type 39 had a 1.5 litre engine; 10 examples were produced (some being supercharged Type 39A).

Did You Know?

• The Type 35C came first and second during its first race outing at the 1926 Milan Grand Prix held at Monza.
• A British Racing Green Type 35B driven by William Grover-Williams won the inaugural 1929 Monaco Grand Prix.