Bugatti Type 35

Bugatti Type 35C in racing trim

The Type 35 was the most successful of the Bugatti racing models. Its version of the Bugatti arch-shaped radiator that had evolved from the more architectural one of the Bugatti Type 13 Brescia, was to become the one that the marque is most known for though even in the ranks of the various Type 35s there were variations on the theme.

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, Type 35s averaged 14 race wins per week. Bugatti won the Targa Florio for five consecutive years, from 1925 through 1929, with the Type 35.

Type 35

Bugatti Type 37 (left) and 35 (right) cars at the Cité de l'Automobile Museum, Mulhouse

The original model, introduced at the Grand Prix of Lyon on August 3, 1924, used an evolution of the 3-valve 2.0 L (1991 cc/121 in³) overhead cam straight-8 engine first seen on the Type 29. Bore was 60 mm and stroke was 88 mm as on many previous Bugatti models. Ninety-six examples were produced.

This new powerplant featured five main bearings with an unusual ball bearing system. This allowed the engine to rev to 6000 rpm, and 90 hp (67 kW) was reliably produced. Solid axles with leaf springs were used front and rear, and drum brakes at the back, operated by cables, were specified. Alloy wheels were a novelty, as was the hollow front axle for reduced unsprung weight. A second feature of the Type 35 that was to become a Bugatti trademark was passing the springs through the front axle rather than simply U-bolting them together as was done on their earlier cars.

A rare version was de-bored (to 52 mm) for a total displacement of 1.5 L (1494 cc/91 in³). There are two of these rare cars in New Zealand.

Dimensions:

• Length: 3680 mm (144.9 in)
• Width: 1320 mm (52 in)
• Wheelbase: 2400 mm (94.5 in)
• Track: 1200 mm (47.2 in)
• Weight: 750 kg (1650 lb)

Bugatti Type 35A Grand Prix racer 1925

Type 35A

A less expensive version of the Type 35 appeared in May, 1925. The factory's "Type 35A" name was ignored by the public, who nicknamed it "Tecla" after a famous maker of imitation jewelry. The Tecla's engine used three plain bearings, smaller valves, and coil ignition like the Type 30. While this decreased maintenance requirements, it also reduced output. One-hundred thirty nine of the Type 35As were sold.

Bugatti Type 35C Grand Prix racer 1926

Type 35C

The Type 35C featured a Roots supercharger, despite Ettore Bugatti's disdain for forced induction. Output was nearly 128 hp (95 kW) with a single Zenith carburettor. Type 35Cs won the French Grand Prix at Saint-Gaudens in 1928, and at Pau in 1930. Fifty examples left the factory.

Type 35T

For 1926, Bugatti introduced a special model for the Targa Florio race. Called the "Type 35T" officially, it soon became known as the "Targa Florio". Engine displacement was up to 2.3 L (2262 cc/138 in³) with a longer 100 mm stroke. Grand Prix rule changes limiting capacity to 2.0 L limited the appeal of this model at the time with just thirteen produced.

Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix racer 1929

Type 35B

The final version of the Type 35 series was the Type 35B of 1927. Originally named "Type 35TC", it shared the 2.3 L engine of the Type 35T but added a large supercharger like the Type 35C. Output was 138 hp (102 kW), and 45 examples were made. A British racing green Type 35B driven by William Grover-Williams won the 1929 French Grand Prix at Le Mans.

Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix racer 1928

Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix racer 1929

Type 37

The Type 35 chassis and body were reused on the Type 37 sports car. Fitted with a new 1.5 L (1496 cc/91 in³) straight-4 engine, 290 Type 37s were built. This engine was an SOHC three-valve design and produced 60 hp (44 kW). The same engine went on to be used in the Type 40.

Type 37A

The supercharged Type 37A accounted for 67 of the Type 37's production slots. Engine output was up to 60–67 kW (80–90 bhp). It also had larger shrouded brake drums.

Type 39

The Type 39 was basically identical to the Type 35C except for its engine. This was modified to be smaller at 1.5 L (1493 cc/91 in³) with a shorter-stroked crankshaft. This brought stroke down from 88 mm to 66 mm, and a mix of regular and ball bearings were used. Ten examples were produced.

An odd 1.1 L (1092 cc/66 in³) version was also created by reducing the bore of the engine to 51.3 mm.

Race victories

Year	Race	Driver	Car
1925	Targa Florio	Bartolomeo Costantini	Type 35
1926	French Grand Prix	Jules Goux	Type 39 A
	Italian Grand Prix	Louis Charavel	Type 39 A
	Spanish Grand Prix	Bartolomeo Costantini
	Targa Florio	Bartolomeo Costantini	Type 35 T
1927	Targa Florio	Emilio Materassi	Type 35 C
1928	French Grand Prix	William Grover-Williams	Type 35 C
	Italian Grand Prix	Louis Chiron	Type 37 A
	Spanish Grand Prix	Louis Chiron
	Targa Florio	Albert Divo	Type 35 B
1929	French Grand Prix	William Grover-Williams	Type 35 B
	German Grand Prix	Louis Chiron	Type 35 C
	Spanish Grand Prix	Louis Chiron
	Monaco Grand Prix	William Grover-Williams	Type 35 B
	Targa Florio	Albert Divo	Type 35 C
1930	Belgian Grand Prix	Louis Chiron	Type 35 C
	Czechoslovakian Grand Prix	Heinrich-Joachim von Morgen and Hermann zu Leiningen	Type 35 B
	French Grand Prix	Philippe Étancelin	Type 35 C
	Monaco Grand Prix	René Dreyfus	Type 35 B

External links

• Bugatti Club France page