1925 BUGATTI 35B RECONSTRUCTION PAR VENTOUX MOTEURS INGENIERIE

French title
Chassis n° 4617

• Reconstruction by the greatest marque specialist
• Powerful and reliable car
• Lovely patina after 25 years of racing

For many enthusiasts, the Bugatti 35 is a legendary car, as prestigious as it is out of reach. For certain collectors, the 35 represents the Holy Grail. In 1959, François Chevalier gave his BNC Monza to Antoine Raffaëlli in exchange for a Bugatti chassis frame, believed to be from a Type 35 that had burnt and been scrapped in the Toulouse area. The astute young man also possessed a Type 30 engine and various elements from a 37 coming from the "de Sa Conte" Cooperage. The first part of a truly epic adventure was unfolding....
A few years later, François Chevalier met Bruno Lafourcade, a fellow Bugatti fan. Their meeting generated a joint desire to rebuild this Bugatti 35, formerly owned by a certain Mr de Viscaya. It was at this moment that Bruno began to collect all the elements he could find, listing them and carefully storing them away. In September 1994, François sold all the parts he owned to Bruno on particularly favourable and friendly terms. Bruno took the Bugatti 35 chassis (4617) with large hubsto mount the paddle wheels, four aluminium wheels, front suspension and differential, drum brakes and numerous small parts. As the reconstruction began, the passion for the project grew. The efficient and indispensable Laurent Rondoni built a TC version engine with roller bearing crankshaft, connected to a rare, original Zenith 48 K carburettor. The starter and magneto conform to the original and it was given a Brineton dog box, limited-slip differential, and a hollow axle supplied by François from his stock of parts. It was starting to take on a certain charm. In 1995, the 35 was running and taken to be inspected.
The two friends took part in a rally together in Alsace at the end of the 1990s. In 1996, the Bugatti, hand-painted dark red by the two accomplices, obtained its French registration.
At the end of the 1990s, Bruno’s son Alexandre discovered the Bugatti’s potential and used it enthusiastically in numerous events. The 35 was doing exactly what it had been designed to do and Alexandre covered nearly 100 000 km under race conditions, demonstrating the car’s capability and reliability. It must nevertheless be noted that the maintenance of this 35 by Ventoux Moteurs Ingénierie was carried out with no expense spared (all invoices will be supplied with the car, which comes with an FIA passport requiring renewal).
After so much time and effort spent recreating this Bugatti 35, we would like to believe that nothing could happen to it. However, François Chevalier remembers an incident that could have had serious consequences. "I had a set of original wheels," recalls the Bugatti and Moto Vincent enthusiast. "Back then, re- manufacturing was less common. I brought them back from storage in Dordogne and had them Magnaflux tested at Larrousse. Three of them were fine. The day they were fitted for the Tour of Sardinia, one of them broke completely, sending the car into the ditch". Luckily, Alexandre and the 35 escaped unhurt.
The Bugatti 35 has just been recommissioned by Raphaël Rondoni and his team at Ventoux Moteurs Ingénierie. It is important to understand that this reconstruction project has been carried out by discerning enthusiasts with the help of the greatest marque specialist worldwide, with no time or cost spared. We therefore advise potential buyers to examine in detail the work undertaken on this car, under the supervision of specialists who were in close contact with the original models, with the aim of keeping as close to the original as possible. Ready to race, this will make a perfect machine for a gentleman driver worthy of such a patina and history.

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1925-bugatti-35b-reconstruction-par-ventoux-moteurs-engeneering-4134-114