Bugatti Type 35: A timeless inspiration
Iconic race car celebrates a century
In the annals of automotive history, the Bugatti Type 35 is an enduring testament to Ettore Bugatti’s visionary craftsmanship. Launched in 1924, this iconic race car dominated the circuits of its era and epitomised a fusion of cutting-edge technology and unparalleled elegance.
Ettore Bugatti, hailing from a lineage of artists, instilled his belief that aesthetics must harmonise seamlessly with functionality. This philosophy shaped the Type 35, whose streamlined design and meticulously crafted components exemplified automotive perfection.
Every detail spoke of Bugatti’s relentless pursuit of beauty and performance, from its hollow front axle to the dashboard’s ‘engine turn’ finish.
Frank Heyl, Bugatti’s Director of Design, reflects on how Ettore’s principles, deeply rooted in the Type 35, continue to shape and inspire contemporary Bugatti models, including the new Tourbillon hypersports car.
“A Bugatti is timeless,” he asserts, “because it embodies authenticity and purpose-driven design—from the elegant lines of its exterior to the intricate details beneath”. This continuity of design excellence is a source of inspiration for all automotive enthusiasts.
At its debut in Lyon, the Tourbillon Type 35 captivated onlookers and set a standard that has endured for a century. Today, its legacy resonates in Bugatti’s latest creations, with nods to its design cues in the horseshoe grille and mechanical linkages that enhance driver engagement.
Heyl continued: “When a customer comes to the Molsheim Atelier and sees their car being built, even without the exterior body panels on it, they immediately recognise it as a Bugatti because the whole car has a particular aesthetic, and every part has been designed to look beautiful.
“A Bugatti is timeless, and for something to be timeless, it must be authentic, which means that everything – right down to the last bolt – has to be purpose-driven and tell its own story. This is a continuation of Ettore Bugatti’s philosophy of technical beauty combined with the latest technology. This philosophy made the Type 35 unbeatable, lives on at Bugatti today, and influences everything we do.”
As Bugatti continues to evolve, the spirit of the Type 35 remains ingrained in every vehicle that leaves the Molsheim Atelier—an eternal homage to Ettore Bugatti’s pursuit of perfection “Pour l’éternité.”
Featured image: At its debut in Lyon, the Bugatti Tourbillion Type 35 captivated onlookers and set a standard that has endured for a century. Credit: Bugatti
Last Updated on 6 months by News Desk 2
