Explore the legendary Bugatti Type 35’s century-long racing legacy, from its 1924 debut to 2,500 victories and its enduring influence on motorsport.
In the annals of motorsport history, few vehicles have left an indelible mark quite like the Bugatti Type 35.
As we commemorate the centenary of its competition debut, it’s fitting to reflect on the extraordinary legacy of this legendary race car.
The Type 35’s unparalleled success on tracks and hillsides across the globe is a testament to Ettore Bugatti’s visionary design and relentless pursuit of perfection.
The Birth of a Legend
The Bugatti Type 35 first appeared in competitive motorsport in 1924 at the Lyon Grand Prix. From then on it would go on to conquer the racing world for years to come. Ettore Bugatti’s creation was more than a car, it was a work of art that would change what was possible on the track.
The Type 35’s design was revolutionary for its time. Its lightweight construction, coupled with a powerful engine, gave it an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. This, combined with its nimble handling, made it a formidable competitor in a wide range of racing disciplines.
A Reign of Dominance
The success of the Bugatti Type 35 was nothing short of extraordinary. Over its competitive lifespan, the car and its derivatives claimed an astonishing 2,500 victories. At the peak of its prowess, the Type 35 was averaging an incredible 12 race wins per month.
Just two years after its debut, the Type 35 secured the 1926 Grand Prix World Championship, cementing its place in racing history. However, it was perhaps in the gruelling Targa Florio road race where the Type 35 truly made its mark. Between 1925 and 1929, Bugatti’s masterpiece conquered the challenging mountains of Sicily for five consecutive years, a feat that remains unmatched to this day.
Mastering the Hills
While circuit racing brought the Type 35 much acclaim, it was in hill climbing events where the car truly shone. In an era when dedicated racing circuits were few and far between, hill climbs provided some of the most spectacular competitive motorsport of the Type 35’s career.
The car’s agile handling allowed it to conquer tight bends with ease, while its excellent power-to-weight ratio and rapid acceleration enabled it to surge up even the steepest inclines. The Type 35 picked up where its predecessor, the Type 13, left off, continuing Bugatti’s dominance in this discipline.
One of the most notable hill climb victories came in 1930 when René Dreyfus piloted a Bugatti Type 35B to victory at La Turbie in France. This win was particularly poignant as it echoed Jean Mabille’s famous victory at the same event in 1922 with the Type 13.
1928: A Year of Unparalleled Success
Despite the absence of an official world title to compete for in 1928 due to event cancellations, the year proved to be a stellar one for Bugatti and the Type 35. The car’s dominance was absolute, with Bugatti drivers claiming victory in 23 out of 26 top-flight international races held that year.
This incredible run included 11 Grand Prix wins and yet another triumph at the Targa Florio.
This remarkable year served to underscore the Type 35’s versatility and reliability. Whether on long road courses or shorter circuit races, the Bugatti consistently outperformed its rivals, often by significant margins.
Conquering the Nürburgring
The following year, 1929, Bugatti claimed one of its most prestigious victories with the Type 35. In a display of French engineering excellence, Monégasque driver Louis Chiron triumphed over the German automotive industry in its own backyard, winning the Grand Prix of Nations at the Nürburgring.
The victory was particularly significant as it came just two years after the opening of the notoriously challenging circuit. Chiron’s flawless drive saw him complete the 508.77km race distance in 4 hours and 46 minutes, piloting his Type 35C to victory.
The dominance of the Bugatti was further emphasised by Georges Philippe, who finished second in another Type 35C, some 12 minutes behind Chiron.
The Inaugural Monaco Grand Prix
The last year of the 1920s also saw the inaugural running of what would become one of the most prestigious events in motorsport – the Monaco Grand Prix. Fittingly, it was a Bugatti Type 35B that claimed victory in this first edition, with British driver William Grover-Williams at the wheel.
Grover-Williams’ victory on the challenging street circuit earned him a staggering prize of 100,000 French Francs, an astronomical sum at the time. This win was no flash in the pan for Grover-Williams, who had already tasted success in a Bugatti Type 35 at the 1928 French Grand Prix, a feat he would repeat in 1929.
Conquering the Sands: The La Baule Grand Prix
One of the less remembered, but no less impressive, triumphs of the Bugatti Type 35 came at the La Baule Grand Prix. This unique event, held on the beaches of France’s west coast, pitted drivers not only against each other but also against the incoming tide of the Atlantic Ocean.
The golden sands of La Baule proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Bugatti Type 35. In 1927, British driver Captain George Eyston piloted his Type 35B to victory, finishing more than six minutes ahead of his nearest rival. The following year saw Pierre Blaque-Belair continue Bugatti’s success, claiming victory in his Type 35.
These beach races demonstrated the Type 35’s remarkable adaptability. From the twisting mountain roads of Sicily to the sandy shores of La Baule, the Bugatti proved its mettle in a diverse range of challenging conditions.
The Twilight of an Era
After dominating the world of motorsport throughout the late 1920s and into the early 1930s, the Bugatti Type 35’s star inevitably began to wane at the highest levels of competition. As newer, more powerful models emerged from the Molsheim factory and rival manufacturers caught up, the Type 35 gradually ceded its position at the pinnacle of motorsport.
However, the influence of the Type 35 on racing car design and engineering will continue to be felt for years to come. Its lightweight construction, powerful engine, and superior handling characteristics set new standards for race car performance and inspired a generation of automotive engineers.
A Living Legend
Today, a century after its debut, the Bugatti Type 35 is remembered not just for its numerous victories, but for how it redefined what a race car could be. It remains a masterpiece of engineering that continues to inspire awe and admiration, just as it did when it first took to the track 100 years ago.
But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Type 35’s legacy is that it has never truly stopped winning. Even now, a century later, it is still being driven to victory in historic races and hill climbs around the world. Bugatti enthusiasts and collectors continue to keep the legend of this remarkable car alive, not in museums, but on the track where it belongs.
As we look back on the Bugatti Type 35‘s century of excellence, we’re reminded of the enduring power of visionary design and engineering. The Type 35 wasn’t just a race car; it was a revolution on wheels, a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Its legacy continues to inspire and excite, ensuring that the legend of the Bugatti Type 35 will live on for generations to come.
