Description

The Bugatti Type 35B Sport was a high-performance development of the already formidable Type 35 series, introduced in the late 1920s as the ultimate expression of Bugatti’s Grand Prix engineering. It represented the pinnacle of the company’s racing innovation before the dawn of the 1930s, combining speed, elegance, and refined mechanical sophistication.

At the heart of the 35B Sport was a 2.3-litre straight-eight engine, supercharged with a Roots-type blower. This setup produced around 135 horsepower, a significant increase over earlier Type 35 variants. With its lightweight chassis and streamlined body, the 35B Sport could achieve speeds exceeding 120 mph, an impressive figure for its time. The use of roller bearings in the crankshaft allowed the engine to spin freely and reliably at high RPMs, providing both power and smoothness during sustained competition.

The car retained the fundamental chassis design of the original Type 35, known for its agility and balance. A hollow front axle reduced unsprung weight, improving both ride and handling, while the distinctive cast alloy wheels with integrated brake drums offered superior cooling and strength. Together, these features gave the 35B Sport a distinct advantage in terms of braking performance and cornering stability, especially on the varied and often treacherous road circuits of the era.

Visually, the 35B Sport followed the classic Bugatti form, with a long, tapered bonnet, sweeping tail, and the iconic horseshoe-shaped radiator grille. The cockpit was focused and minimal, with exposed gear linkages and tightly arranged instruments. Everything about the design spoke of purpose, but without sacrificing Bugatti’s trademark sense of proportion and elegance.

The 35B Sport found success on racing circuits across Europe, often driven by privateers as well as factory-backed teams. Its combination of raw performance and engineering refinement made it one of the most competitive cars of its generation. Today, it remains one of the most desirable classic Bugattis—a machine that encapsulates the peak of pre-war racing brilliance.