One of the abiding shapes from the racing in the 1920s, Bugatti's Type 35 now looks to elegant, to petite, to have been a successful Grand Prix car. At first it was not, for it was beaten out of sight when put up against works teams such as Alfa Romeo, and the French GP debut in 1924 was humiliating.

Under powered

The problem was the modest 95 bhp power output from its ultra-conservative straight eight engine design which followed on from the T30 road model. Although this rose to 130 bhp, Bugatti was forced, reluctantly to commission Moglia to design a supercharged version for the T35B and T35C. Artistry and originality showed in other aspects of the T35 and despite an overall appearance that was almost fragile it was a tough little car.

Sparkling career

Succes came in abundence in the lean years of European racing, the late 1920s, when the only factory team was often Bugatti's and the T35 was the best car available to private entrants. Some 68 full-length races fell to T35s between 1926 and 1931, including 11 national GPs and 5 Targa Florios.

The cockpit was cramped for two men - one good reason for the external gear lever

Photo Autopresse
MCMXCI, Edito-Service S.A. D1 078 01-01