The Bugatti Type 35 was first unveiled to the public at the Grand Prix of Lyon in 1924, and was built in several different naturally aspirated and supercharged variations through 1931. Widely considered the finest racing car of the period, the Type 35 was highly successful throughout the late 1920s and early 1930s, with over 1,000 wins in a variety of competitions, including the Monaco Grand Prix three times and Targa Florio five times.

The Type 35 was mechanically impressive, boasting a supercharged 2.3-liter single overhead-cam, inline eight-cylinder engine in its late 35B form, capable of producing 130 hp at 5,500 rpm. The car’s extremely lightweight chassis showcased Bugatti’s revolutionary hollow front axle and cast aluminum wheels with integrated brake drums, while the main mechanical components were clothed in a streamlined, two-seat body that was both elegant and purposeful.

This Type 35 consists of a number of components manufactured at the Bugatti factory in Molsheim. These include the frame (no. 179), engine crankcases (no. 194T), gearbox and rear axle (from Type 37 no. 37163), steel scuttle and tail section (from Type 37 no. 37141), dash panel (from Type 35 no. 4849) and radiator (from Type 51 no. 51126).

It was acquired in pieces circa 1971 by the late London-based vintage car dealer Dan Margulies, from Bugatti restorer Ray Jones. By 1980, it was in the ownership of restorers Dick Crosthwaite and John Gardiner, founders of the renowned prewar restoration workshop Crosthwaite & Gardiner in Buxted, England.

Following a few more UK-based owners, the Type 35 was acquired by Bugatti collector Roger Howard, who brought the car with him on his move from England to Canada. He spent many years buying, selling and trading parts in a concerted effort to create a complete and running supercharged Grand Prix Bugatti with as many original Molsheim parts as possible. Following his successful completion, the car was granted a ‘BC’ chassis plate from the Bugatti Owners’ Club in England in September 1987.

Howard campaigned the powerful supercharged Bugatti on a number of American Bugatti Club events, including the International Bugatti Rally in Vermont in 1995 and the American Bugatti Club 1st Canadian Grand Prix & Rally in 2013. Most remarkably, he always drove his supercharged Type 35 to these events from Quebec.

The engine crankcase currently fitted to this Type 35 (no. 194T) was originally fitted to Chilean grand prix racing driver Juan Ernesto Zanelli’s Type 35B, chassis 4939. Zanelli campaigned that car at numerous events, including the 1930 Monaco Grand Prix.

Mitchell Rasanksy, who has a passion for prewar racing cars – and particularly those with supercharged eight-cylinder engines such as the Bugattis and the Miller offered here from his collection – carefully sought out this car because of its high percentage of original Molsheim components. During his ownership, Mr. Rasansky painted the Bugatti in a shade of flat black which, in combination with its patinated leather interior, create a truly appealing feel appropriate to the model’s racing origins.

All told, this beautifully assembled Type 35 is equipped with numerous factory components and would make a highly eligible entry at a plethora of Bugatti Club rallies and Vintage Sports Car Club events worldwide.