Bugatti Type 35

Last updated

Bugatti Type 35
Bugatti 35, Bj 1924, M Nicolosi - 1976.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Automobiles Ettore Bugatti
Production1924–1930
AssemblyFrance: Molsheim-Dorlisheim, Alsace (Usine Bugatti de Molsheim)
Designer Ettore Bugatti
Body and chassis
Class Grand Prix, Formula Libre
Body style Underslung Type
Layout FR
ChassisSteel ladder frame, aluminum body
Powertrain
Engine
  • 1,092–2,262 cc (67–138 cu in) 3-valve SOHC straight-8
  • 60–130 hp (45–95 kW)
Transmission 4-speed manual + reverse
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length3,680 mm (144.9 in)
Width1,320 mm (52.0 in)
Curb weight 650–750 kg (1,435–1,655 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Bugatti Type 30
Successor Bugatti Type 51
Bugatti Type 37 (left) and 35 (right) cars at the Cite de l'Automobile Museum, Mulhouse BugattiRacingCars.jpg
Bugatti Type 37 (left) and 35 (right) cars at the Cité de l'Automobile Museum, Mulhouse
Carl Junker won the 1931 Australian Grand Prix with a Type 39 Bugatti Type 39 of Carl Junker (1931 Australian Grand Prix).jpg
Carl Junker won the 1931 Australian Grand Prix with a Type 39

The Bugatti Type 35 is an iconic race car design produced by Bugatti at their Molsheim premises between 1924 and 1930. It was extremely successful when raced by the factory works team. It was also bought by a diverse roster of privateer clientele from around the world. It pioneered the concept of a holistically conceived, race-ready car available for purchase.

Contents

The arch/egg-shaped [1] radiator is emblematic, as is the rear of the car. The tapered stern has been called a 'Bordino tail' and Ettore Bugatti may have been influenced by the shape of the earlier Fiat 804 driven and modified by Pietro Bordino. [2] The car has also become synonymous with being the first to use cast alloy wheels. [3] [4]

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 the Type 35 averaged 14 race wins per week. Bugatti won the Targa Florio for five consecutive years, from 1925 through 1929, with the Type 35. [5]

The Bugatti Type 35 was continually being modified and improved upon, but broadly falls into the following nomenclature:

Type 35 (naturally aspirated)

This original, defining model was introduced at the 1924 French Grand Prix, held at Lyon. The inaugural outing for the Type 35 was not a success due to fitment of badly-vulcanised Dunlop tyres. [3] Despite this, the model showed promise and became increasingly competitive with refinements being made.

The car used an evolution of the three-valve 2.0 L (1991 cc/121 in³) overhead cam straight-eight engine first seen on the Type 29. Bore was 60 mm and stroke was 88 mm as on many previous Bugatti models. [6]

This new powerplant featured a sophisticated roller bearing system, numbering five in total. This allowed the engine to rev to 6,000 rpm. Output was up to 90 hp (67 kW). The cable-operated drum brakes system was very popular and adaptable. Alloy wheels were a novelty, as was the hollow front axle for reduced unsprung weight. Another 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.

96 of these un-supercharged T35 examples were produced.

Type 35A

1925 Bugatti Type 35A "Tecla" Bugatti Typ 35A 1925.jpg
1925 Bugatti Type 35A "Tecla"

A mechanically simpler version of the Type 35 appeared in May 1925. Intended for road use while retaining the 'racing look', several were raced anyway and with some success. The public nicknamed the model "Tecla" after a famous maker of imitation jewellery. The Tecla's engine used plain bearings on the crankshaft (for ease of maintenance), smaller valves, and coil ignition like the Type 30, it was normally delivered on regular wire-spoked wheels.

139 examples of the Type 35A were produced.

Type 35T

Bugatti introduced a special model for the 1926 Targa Florio race with engine displacement set to 2.3 L (2262 cc/138 in³) with a longer 100 mm stroke; the car could not be used at Grand Prix due to rules limiting capacity to 2.0 L.

13 T35Ts were produced.

Type 35C

1929 Bugatti Type 35C 1929 Bugatti Type 35 C.jpg
1929 Bugatti Type 35C

The Type 35C was introduced in 1926 and featured a Roots supercharger, despite Ettore Bugatti's disdain for forced induction. Output was nearly 128 hp (95 kW) with a single Zenith carburettor. The Type 35C came first and second during its first race outing at the 1926 Milan Grand Prix held at Monza. This 2 litre supercharged configuration continued to be very dependable.

In 1929, Bugatti was charging 91,500 French francs for the Type 35C. French pilot Guy Bouriat bought two in March 1929.

Approximately 45 examples left the factory.

Type 35B

1927 Bugatti Type 35B 1927 Bugatti Type 35B.jpg
1927 Bugatti Type 35B
Bugatti Type 35B replica Dashboard Bugatti Type35b Dashboard.jpg
Bugatti Type 35B replica Dashboard

Named by the factory "Type 35TC" (Targa Compressor), this most powerful version became known colloquially as the "T35B". It shared the 2.3 L engine of the Type 35T this time with a large supercharger added. Output was 138 hp (102 kW). A British Racing Green Type 35B driven by William Grover-Williams won the inaugural 1929 Monaco Grand Prix. While having more torque, the Type 35B did not rev as high and engine fuel consumption levels were such that the factory reverted to producing the T35C.

Around 37 Type 35B were produced.

Type 37

1928 Bugatti Type 37 Bugatti Typ 37 2-Seater Grand Prix 1928.jpg
1928 Bugatti Type 37

The Type 37 sports car used the same chassis and bodywork as the full-power Type 35, but were mostly delivered with wire wheels. Fitted with a new 1.5 L (1496 cc/91 in³) straight-4 engine (69 mm x 100 mm), it was easier to maintain for many privateer drivers. This engine was a SOHC three-valve design and produced 60 hp (44 kW). The same engine went on to be used in the Type 40.

Around 223 Type 37s were built.

Type 37A

1929 Bugatti Type 37A Bugatti Typ 37A 1929 2.jpg
1929 Bugatti Type 37A

The supercharged Type 37A enabled engine output to reach 60–67 kW (80–90 bhp). It also had larger shrouded brake drums.

Around 67 Type 37As were produced.

Type 39

The Type 39 was similar to the Type 35 except for the engine crankshaft, modified to produce a smaller 1.5 L (1493 cc/91 in³). Stroke was down from 88 mm to 66 mm, and a mix of plain and roller bearings were used in the crank.

10 examples were produced (some being supercharged (Type 39A)).

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

Notable race victories

YearRaceDriverCar
1925 Rome Grand Prix Carlo MassettiType 35
Targa Florio Bartolomeo Costantini Type 35
Circuito del Garda Aymo Maggi Type 35
1926 Coppa Acerbo Luigi SpinozziType 35
Coppa EtnaAymo MaggiType 35 A
French Grand Prix Jules Goux Type 39 A
Gran Premio de San SebastiánJules GouxType 39 A
Italian Grand Prix Louis CharavelType 39 A
Rome Grand PrixAymo MaggiType 35
Spanish Grand Prix Bartolomeo CostantiniType 35
Targa FlorioBartolomeo CostantiniType 35 T
Tripoli Grand Prix François EysermannType 35
1927Targa Florio Emilio Materassi Type 35 C
Tripoli Grand PrixEmilio MaterassiType 35 C
Rome Grand Prix Tazio Nuvolari Type 35
Solituderennen August Momberger Type 35 B
Grand Prix de la Marne Philippe Étancelin Type 35 B
1928French Grand Prix William Grover-Williams Type 35 C
Italian Grand Prix Louis Chiron Type 37 A
San Sebastián Grand PrixLouis ChironType 35 C
Spanish Grand PrixLouis Chiron
Targa Florio Albert Divo Type 35 B
Tripoli Grand PrixTazio NuvolariType 35 C
Moroccan Grand PrixEdward MeyerType 35 C
1929French Grand PrixWilliam Grover-WilliamsType 35 B
German Grand Prix Louis ChironType 35 C
Spanish Grand PrixLouis Chiron
Monaco Grand Prix William Grover-WilliamsType 35 B
Targa FlorioAlbert DivoType 35 C
Australian Grand Prix Arthur Terdich Type 37 A
Algerian Grand Prix Marcel Lehoux Type 35 C
1930 Belgian Grand Prix Louis ChironType 35 C
Czechoslovakian Grand Prix Heinrich-Joachim von Morgen and Hermann zu LeiningenType 35 B
Eifelrennen Heinrich-Joachim von MorgenType 35 B
French Grand Prix Philippe Étancelin Type 35 C
Monaco Grand Prix René Dreyfus Type 35 B
Australian Grand Prix Bill Thompson Type 37 A
1931 Australian Grand Prix Carl JunkerType 39
Grand Prix des Frontières Arthur Legat Type 37 A
1932 Australian Grand Prix Bill Thompson Type 37 A
1933Grand Prix des FrontièresWilly LonguevilleType 35 B

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti</span> 1909–1963 French car manufacturer

Automobiles Ettore Bugatti was a German then French manufacturer of high-performance automobiles. The company was founded in 1909 in the then-German city of Molsheim, Alsace, by the Italian-born industrial designer Ettore Bugatti. The cars were known for their design beauty and numerous race victories. Famous Bugatti automobiles include the Type 35 Grand Prix cars, the Type 41 "Royale", the Type 57 "Atlantic" and the Type 55 sports car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari Lampredi engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Ferrari Lampredi engine was a naturally aspirated all aluminum 60° V12 engine produced between 1950 and 1959. Inline-4 and Inline-6 variants for racing were derived from it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti 8-cylinder line</span> Motor vehicle

The early Bugatti 8-cylinder line began with the 1922 Type 30. The same basic design was used for the 1926 Type 38 as well as the Type 40, Type 43, Type 44, and Type 49.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti Type 57</span> Bugatti automobile

The Bugatti Type 57 and later variants was a grand tourer built from 1934 through 1940. It was an entirely new design created by Jean Bugatti, son of founder Ettore. A total of 710 Type 57s were produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti Type 13</span> One of the first cars by Bugatti

The Bugatti Type 13 was the first true Bugatti car. Production of the Type 13, and later Types 15, 17, 22, and 23, began with the company's founding in 1910 and lasted through 1920, with 435 examples produced. Most road cars used an eight-valve engine, though five Type 13 racers had 16-valve heads, some of the first ever produced. The road cars became known as pur-sang ("thoroughbred") in keeping with Ettore Bugatti's feelings for his designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti Type 51</span> Motor vehicle

The Bugatti Type 51 series succeeded the famous Type 35 as Bugatti's premier racing car for the 1930s. The main distinction is that it uses a twin cam engine. Unlike the dominant Type 35s of the prior decade, the Type 51 were unable to compete with the government-supported German and Italian offerings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti Type 46</span>

The Bugatti Type 46 and later Type 50 were large enclosed touring cars and along with the Type 50B racing version, were all produced in the 1930s. Their relative ubiquity and numbers, combined with their styling caused them to sometimes receive the appellation of being a Molsheim Buick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti Type 32</span> Motor vehicle

The Bugatti Type 32, commonly called the Tank de Tours, was a streamlined racing car built in 1923. It was built to compete in the French Grand Prix, which was held on July 2 in Tours on the same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pietro Bordino</span> Italian racing driver (1887–1928)

Pietro Bordino was an Italian racing driver. One of Italy's top racing drivers of the 1920s, Bordino won the 1922 Italian Grand Prix. One of the few European drivers of the period to compete on the regular American Indy car circuit, composed largely of board ovals, he won twice during the 1922 U.S. racing season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maserati 6CM</span> Motor vehicle

The Maserati 6CM is an Italian single-seater racing car, made by Maserati of Modena from 1936 to 1940 for the Voiturette racing class. Twenty-seven were built on the Maserati 4CM frame, with front suspension as on the Maserati V8RI, and had a successful racing career from 1936 to 1939. The 6CM was introduced to the world at the 1936 Milan Motor Show. Maserati spent much of its early years manufacturing cars for privateers in the racing field. The Maserati 6CM is no exception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1927 Grand Prix season</span> Third AIACR World Manufacturers Championship season

The 1927 Grand Prix season was the third AIACR World Manufacturers' Championship season and the second run to a 1.5-litre engine limit. In a dominant display, the championship was won by Delage, with team driver Robert Benoist winning four of the five Grand Prix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1928 Grand Prix season</span> Grand Prix season

The 1928 Grand Prix season saw the Monegasque driver Louis Chiron, and his Bugatti, take seven Grand Prix victories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1922 Grand Prix season</span> Grand Prix season

The 1922 Grand Prix season had several notable events during the year. The AIACR governing body brought in a 2-litre formula for Grand Prix. French companies brought out straight-8 engines for their cars but it was FIAT's 6-cylinder engine that took the trophies. Veteran Felice Nazzaro won the French Grand Prix, held near Strasbourg. It was a tainted victory though, as Nazzaro's nephew was killed when his FIAT's suspension broke in the latter stages of the race. An almost identical accident also happened to team-mate Pietro Bordino, though he was only slightly injured. Pierre de Vizcaya's Bugatti finished second, nearly an hour behind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1923 Grand Prix season</span> Grand Prix season

The 1923 Grand Prix season was part of a watershed year for motor racing that saw significant advances in motor-racing engineering, design and events. Fiat's chief designer, Guido Fornaca, developed the 805, the first supercharged car to win a Grand Prix. Benz appeared with the first mid-engined racer and, along with Bugatti and Voisin, produced some of the first efforts at aerodynamics on racing cars. With the United States also adopting the 2-litre formula, Harry Miller could use the smaller engine size to design the first single-seater race-car, ideally suited to American oval racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1924 Grand Prix season</span> Grand Prix season

The 1924 Grand Prix season saw Grand Prix motor racing spread further across Europe and North America. In Italy a number of new open-road events were held. In France two new circuits were opened – at Montlhéry near Paris and Miramas near Marseille.

The 1930 Grand Prix season continued the malaise that had taken over the sport. Although there was little technical advance more privateer teams were forming, getting some factory support. The AIACR continued to mandate its fuel-regulated Formula Libre rules. Across the Atlantic, the AAA abandoned the AIACR regulations. Their new regulations were derisively called the “Junk Formula” by purists, opening up to their own version of Formula Libre: with modified stock-standard cars of up to 366 cu in (6-litres) with two seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti Chiron</span> Sports car manufactured by Bugatti

The Bugatti Chiron is a mid-engine two-seater sports car designed and developed in Germany by Bugatti Engineering GmbH and manufactured in Molsheim, France, by French automobile manufacturer Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. The successor to the Bugatti Veyron, the Chiron was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March 2016. The car's design was initially previewed with the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo concept car unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 275 S</span> Motor vehicle

The Ferrari 275 S was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1950. It was the first Ferrari powered by a new Aurelio Lampredi-designed V12 engine, created as a large displacement alternative to the initial 1,5 L Colombo V12, used in supercharged form in Ferrari 125 F1. Formula One regulations allowed for up to 4.5 L in naturally aspirated form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti straight-8 Grand Prix racing engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

Bugatti made a series of Grand Prix, and later Formula One, straight-8 racing engines; between 1922 and 1939, and once again in 1956.

References

  1. "Bugatti design – a legend about eggs and horseshoes" (Press release). Molsheim: Bugatti. 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  2. Conway, Hugh (1983). Grand Prix Bugatti (Revised ed.). Haynes Publishing Group. p. 45. ISBN   0 85429 293 4.
  3. 1 2 Conway, Hugh (1983). Grand Prix Bugatti (Revised ed.). p. 48. ISBN   0 85429 293 4.
  4. Petrány, Máté (2019-10-08). "Ettore Bugatti made alloy wheels a thing". Hagerty. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  5. "The legendary Bugatti Type 35". Bugatti. Archived from the original on 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  6. "Bugatti Type 35 specs, performance data". FastestLaps. Retrieved 2021-10-25.

Further reading