1924 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix
- Engine
- Inline-eight with Brineton crankshaft and connecting rods, Solex 35DH side-draft carburettors, Scintilla magneto
Bugatti Type 35 chassis 4394 is among the earliest examples of this celebrated Grand Prix model, completed in late 1924 and delivered to Lord Rocksavage (later Lord Cholmondeley) at Cannes in January 1925. It was campaigned at Brooklands in 1927 by Dorothy Campbell. After surfacing in a Kent scrapyard in the late 1980s it was restored, and questions have since arisen regarding the originality of the chassis, though the front axle, shock absorbers, radiator, and portions of bodywork are confirmed genuine. The engine was assembled by Laurent Rondoni with period-correct components.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €387,500 (≈ $426K)
- 1925-01-03 →Factory deliveryLord Rocksavage (later Lord Cholmondeley)full documentation
Car was delivered to his Cannes residence and photographed there with Lady Sybil Cholmondeley; used in competition at Brooklands in 1927.
- 1990 →Private saleCurrent owner (acquired via Dan Margulies)partial documentation
Purchased through dealer or intermediary Dan Margulies in 1990 following restoration by Keith Butti; car has since been maintained by French specialist Ventoux Moteurs.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownKeith Buttipartial documentation
UK-based Bugatti restorer who reportedly found the car in a Kent salvage yard in the late 1980s and carried out a restoration before selling it.
Competition
- 1927-04-23Junior Short Handicap, Brooklands Surbiton Motor Club MeetingDriver: Dorothy Campbell4th
Dorothy Campbell, spouse of Sir Malcolm Campbell, drove the car at this club event; she finished fourth in the handicap race.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationKeith Butti
A restoration was carried out after the car was discovered in a Kent scrapyard, prior to its sale in 1990. The extent of work is not fully detailed, but the chassis is now believed to be a replacement unit.
Restoration took place in the late 1980s; subsequent expert analysis by Pierre-Yves Laugier and David Sewell has assessed which components are original.
- —Engine rebuildLaurent Rondoni
The engine was assembled specifically for this car by Laurent Rondoni, incorporating a Brineton crankshaft and connecting rods, period-correct Solex 35DH side-draft carburettors, and a Scintilla magneto paired with gearbox number 29.
- —ServiceVentoux Moteurs
Ongoing careful maintenance carried out by a leading French Bugatti specialist.
Work performed during the current owner's tenure; described as careful upkeep rather than any major restoration.
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