Number of cylinders: 4
Service history: Present
Registration number: 64-TP-84

The history of the Bugatti Type 35

The Bugatti Type 35 is a legendary icon of motorsport history. Introduced in 1924 by Ettore Bugatti, the Type 35 quickly became famous for its performance on the circuit. With more than 1,000 victories across various races, including the Targa Florio, this classic became the symbol of speed, elegance and innovation. Its distinctive horseshoe grille, wire-spoke wheels and streamlined shape have made the car immortal in the automotive world.

The Type 35 was driven by legendary racers such as Louis Chiron, René Dreyfus and Albert Divo, who scored countless victories behind its wheel. The model was revolutionary not only in design but also technically, with its lightweight chassis and powerful eight-cylinder engine, which made it dominant in the motorsport of its era.

This particular kit car, based on a Volkswagen Buggy, is a tribute to the Bugatti Type 35. Built with genuine love for the iconic model, this car is designed to bring the glory days of motorsport back to life, without the eye-watering price tag of the original. Naturally there are differences: many components, such as the suspension, the rear-mounted engine, the steering and the brakes, are unmistakably borrowed from the Volkswagen Beetle.

What is a kit car?

A kit car is a car delivered as a kit, intended to be assembled by the owner or built by a specialist. The concept emerged in the 1950s and grew into a phenomenon for enthusiasts who wanted to own unique vehicles without the extreme cost of rare classics. Kit cars are often replicas of famous models or entirely original designs.

What makes kit cars so appealing is the chance to own a classic design paired with modern, reliable engineering. They offer the pleasure of self-build, the freedom to customise and often affordable access to iconic automotive styles. For many, building a kit car is just as much of an adventure as driving one.

There is a large and close-knit community of kit car enthusiasts worldwide. From clubs to forums and annual gatherings, kit car owners share their passion for these unique vehicles and the craft of building them. Meeting like-minded people, swapping tips and heading out on group drives together turns owning a kit car into a genuine way of life.

Many kit cars, like this Bugatti Type 35 replica, are based on the Volkswagen Beetle. The reason is simple: the Beetle has a straightforward, robust design with an air-cooled boxer engine mounted at the rear. This provides a solid foundation with reliable engineering and easy parts supply. The Beetle's suspension, steering and engine are perfectly suited to most kit car projects, which makes the Beetle a firm favourite among kit car builders.

The driving sensation, a step back in time

Picture this: you settle in behind the vintage-look steering wheel, surrounded by a dashboard with a period-correct collection of dials and gauges. The engine fires up with a deep, raw rumble, a sound that takes you straight back to the classic races of the 1920s.

The driving experience is surprisingly accessible. Thanks to the Volkswagen Beetle underpinnings, the controls are smooth and intuitive, with a 4-speed manual gearbox that gives you that true classic-car feel. The polyester body is light and neatly finished, delivering a direct and pure driving experience. The striking design with eight exhaust stubs, only one of which is functional but built with a brilliantly conceived construction, adds to the nostalgic charm of this recreation.

Designed with passion and precision

While this is not an original Bugatti, this kit car radiates the same love for craftsmanship and design. Every detail, from the streamlined body to the classic horseshoe grille, has been carefully chosen to echo the iconic look. The engine, suspension and brakes are Volkswagen-sourced, ensuring reliability and simple maintenance.

Inside the vehicle you will find a timeless dashboard with a beautiful collection of gauges, entirely in the style of the 1920s. The polyester body is perfectly finished in a deep blue that contrasts wonderfully with the classic wheels. This is a car that deserves to be not only seen, but heard.

Driving this Bugatti Type 35 Kit

Imagine it: the sun is shining, the wind plays through your hair as you sweep along winding country lanes. The engine growls deep, the exhaust note echoes across the fields, and in every bend you feel the direct connection between man and machine. The low seating position and the classic steering wheel create a sense of control and nostalgia you rarely find in modern cars.

It is an experience that stirs your senses: the sound of the engine, the smell of oil and petrol, the touch of the wooden wheel. The seating position even suits taller drivers, which makes the car surprisingly comfortable despite its sporting and classic character.

Is it practical? Absolutely not. Is it fast? Not that either, at least not by modern standards. But that is not the point. It is about the grin you simply cannot wipe off your face as you carve through the landscape with that low nose, about the thumbs-up from people at the roadside, about the feeling of driving something quite unlike anything else.

A genuine Type 35 remains a dream. But this Ruska is the closest you can get to it without a Swiss bank account. And perhaps, just perhaps, that is enough.

The Bugatti dream for Beetle money. Literally.

With the smell of petrol still in my nose,
Nick Slinger

STEP 2 IN SHOWROOM | HooG Selections

The Bugatti Type 35 1976 is now in our showroom in Katwijk - € 34.950. The full presentation is complete: the cover is off and the car can be viewed right away.

At HooG Selections exclusively carefully selected classic vehicles, fully documented:
✔ Over 75 professional photos
✔ Fully scanned service history
✔ Official Carfax vehicle report
✔ Paint thickness report per body panel
✔ Complete original documentation

Visit our 6,000 m² showroom in Katwijk or view everything at:
www.hoogselections.nl