Meet the Bugatti Baby II Type 35 Centenary Edition, a stunning reproduction of arguably one of the world’s most important vehicles, reimagined for a teeny, tiny new age. Crafted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the legendary Bugatti Type 35’s debut at the Grand Prix de Lyon in 1924, six new replicas have arrived replete with the same sleek aluminium body and iconic Bleu de Lyon colour of the original. Heritage-inspired with a few modern twists, the Bugatti Baby is truly a sight to behold.
British manufacturer The Little Car Company is the organisation behind the new bespoke creations, which mark an important moment in the history of motor racing. The company explained that each masterpiece’s intricate design is directly inspired by the six original Bugatti Type 35 racecars, albeit with a slightly shrunken scale. The Bugatti Baby II is a 75 per cent scale, electrified version of the famous Type 35 from Manufacturer Ettore Bugatti. Bugatti says this modern-day rendition reflects the lasting legacy of the iconic Type 35 racecars in both the automotive and motorsports worlds.
“With meticulous attention to detail, these anniversary examples are individually customised, reflecting the very essence of the brand’s historic racing pedigree whilst showcasing an unparalleled level of craftsmanship,” Wiebke Ståhl, managing director of Bugatti International said. “They are beautiful one-of-a-kind masterpieces embodying the spirit of the Type 35.”
In terms of design, each car is lovingly crafted and handbuilt by The Little Car Company at its headquarters in Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. The design is instantly recognisable – defined by aluminium bodies, brass identification plates within the cockpit and an alluring Bleu de Lyon hue. The six cars are each decorated with hand-painted entry numbers on the radiator, hood and boat tail in Blanc, while the body is coupled with exclusive detailing such as lockwire additions and custom louvres to match each original Type 35.
“These limited-edition creations honour the legendary cars that raced at the 1924 Grand Prix de Lyon, marking a pivotal moment in automotive history,” says Ben Hedley, CEO of The Little Car Company.
The incredibly skilled artisans at The Little Car Company have gone to great lengths to replicate founder Ettore Bugatti’s original design. Not only are they decorated with a unique chassis number to match each of the original cars, but they also have a unique designation of ‘1 of 1’ for each model. In fact, The Little Car Company developed the Baby II Type 35 Centenary Edition using a 3D scan of the original 1924 Bugatti Grand Prix car, so you can’t get much more authentic than this.
The car is a timely ode to the iconic motoring masterpiece and all its achievements. All the mad car enthusiasts will be able to reflect on the amazing skills of those who drove the cars, including Leonico Garnier (#21), Jean Chassagne (#7), Pierre de Vizcaya (#18), Meo Costantini (#22) and Ernest Friderich (#13). And of course, a sixth Type 35 – the original prototype – was kept in reserve by Ettore Bugatti. The car was so remarkable that the Type 35 went on to achieve the most victories and podium finishes across a 10-year period, becoming the most successful racing car of all time.
Neither Bugatti nor The Little Car Company have confirmed official pricing for the new scale release, however, it matters little. All six of the Bugatti Baby II Type 35 Centenary Editions have quickly been sold to private collectors across the globe. Considering it is a 21st-century take on an unforgettable Bugatti classic, it’s little wonder they’ve gone quick.
