The Bugatti Type 35 story - 100 years on from its debut

Just over a hundred years ago, one of the most significant cars in motorsport and automotive history - the Bugatti Type 35 - was given its first outing at the 1924 French Grand Prix. Despite an indifferent result in the race in Lyon, it ultimately was the beginning of something of a dynasty, racking up over 1,000 race wins and multiple championships during its life. In production between 1924 and 1930, it is still, even today, regarded as one of the most beautiful racing cars in history.

The Birth of a Motorsport Icon

Grand Prix racing between 1922 and 1925 required cars to have engines no bigger than 2 litres, a minimum weight of 650kg and a minimum width of 80cm. This forced manufacturers to become more creative with their builds and focus on innovative new designs to boost power, as opposed to just increasing engine capacity.

The 1924 French Grand Prix in Lyon

The 1924 French Grand Prix in Lyon was where Bugatti presented its offering to the world of motorsport. The race - watched by 100,000 fans - was a gruelling 500 mile/35 lap test which lasted around seven hours, and tested both speed and endurance. Bugatti made five Type 35s for the race, with Ettore Bugatti insisting each car had to be driven from the brand’s Molsheim factory to the track - an additional journey of around five hours. Luckily, every Type 35 made it to the track without an issue, although the race itself wasn’t one to remember for Bugatti.

Bugatti's Initial Offering to Motorsport

For its design, Ettore Bugatti is believed to have been influenced by the Fiat 804 and it was powered by a straight-eight engine originally seen on the Type 29 prototype car from 1921, the Type 35 produced 90hp and a top speed of 90mph. Ultimately, its hopes of a podium finish in the race were diminished by the fitting of vulcanised Dunlop tyres which caused three of the five to retire with the two remaining Type 35s finishing sixth and seventh. One positive to take from the race was the setting of the fastest lap by one of the Type 35s and this gave Bugatti something to build on for the future.

Learning from Defeat

Lessons were learnt from the chastening outing in Lyon. Over the following six years of production, the Type 35’s weaknesses were eradicated as it evolved year after year (including supercharged variants) to become one of the most successful racing cars in history. A previous output of 90hp and 90mph top speed was eventually boosted to 135hp and 125mph and after its first significant win at the 1925 Rome Grand Prix, the Type 35 notched over 2,500 wins in various disciplines, including road races, rallies, speed trials and hill climbs. It won the 1926 Grand Prix World Championship and an unprecedented five consecutive wins in the Targa Florio from 1925 to 1929. Sadly, the one title that eluded the Type 35 was its home race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

A Legacy in Automotive History

The Type 35 is believed to have pioneered the concept of a race car available to buy - around 340 were believed to have been built in total - and is also notable for being the first car to use cast alloy wheels. Tributes were paid to mark 100 years of the iconic car, including a recreation of the Molsheim to Lyon journey in a number of Type 35s and Grand Prix cars by the Bugatti Club France.

Looking to the Future

Bugatti is now getting ready to release its next, potentially iconic, car - the Tourbillon. Production on the V16-powered Chiron successor will begin in 2025 with deliveries to take place the following year. Only 250 Tourbillion will be made, costing each buyer around £3.2 million and, predictably, all have been sold.

Without the success of the Type 35, would Bugatti be the brand it is today? Would it even exist? Its importance in automotive history cannot be understated.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Bugatti