Photo: Bugatti
Exactly 100 years ago one of the most celebrated race cars in human history made its big entrance at the French Grand Prix in Lyon. The year was 1924, and the car would go on to be known as the Bugatti Type 35, a model that would win or finish on the podium in around 2,500 races over a period of ten years.
The Type 35 is a vehicle the French carmaker constantly honors in various ways. This week it did that by presenting, for the first time, a new interpretation of something called the Baby II, a three-quarters-size replica of the race car that would look just great in the hands of kids.
The Baby II first made headlines as a miniature Type 35 back in 2019, at the Geneva Motor Show. It was brought there by its maker, The Little Car Company, just as Bugatti itself was celebrating its 110th anniversary.
In the years that have passed since the Baby II has constantly been in the news, but probably never as transformed as it does now.
In a bid to mark the Type 35's debut in a race a century ago, The Little Car Company tweaked the toy car some more and now calls it the Baby II Type 35 Centenary Edition. Unlike the initial run, which comprised 500 units (the run is not sold out and you can still get one today, if you have a huge budget), this one will be a lot more limited, with just six units made.
Each of them wear the liveries and race numbers meant to honor the most successful Bugatti race cars from 100 years ago. Underneath the livery, the mini vehicles feature aluminum bodies, cockpits, and an electric drivetrain that ensures pretty decent numbers for something in this class.
As per the original specs of the Baby II, the scale car comes with two driving modes, one meant for adults and the other for kids. The big boys and gals can travel in this thing at speeds of 45 kph (28 mph), but kids can only have their fun at less than half that.
Compared to the original run, these six special vehicles come with unique appointments. Paint job aside, each of them comes with a brass identification plate installed in the cockpit, a unique chassis number that matches each of the original Type 35s, and a hand-painted entry number on the radiator and hood. Topping everything off is the mention "1 of 1" featured on each of the six models.
Five years ago when the Baby II first broke cover The Little Car Company was selling each and every one of them for about $32,500. This time, however, we're not told how much the special models are worth.
In all fairness, pricing matters little, and that's so for two reasons. First, no regular Joe will ever pay American muscle car money for something that's essentially a toy. Second, even those with the means to do that can't get their hands on a Bugatti Baby II Type 35 Centenary Edition, because all six have already been spoken for.
The Baby II first made headlines as a miniature Type 35 back in 2019, at the Geneva Motor Show. It was brought there by its maker, The Little Car Company, just as Bugatti itself was celebrating its 110th anniversary.
In the years that have passed since the Baby II has constantly been in the news, but probably never as transformed as it does now.
In a bid to mark the Type 35's debut in a race a century ago, The Little Car Company tweaked the toy car some more and now calls it the Baby II Type 35 Centenary Edition. Unlike the initial run, which comprised 500 units (the run is not sold out and you can still get one today, if you have a huge budget), this one will be a lot more limited, with just six units made.
Each of them wear the liveries and race numbers meant to honor the most successful Bugatti race cars from 100 years ago. Underneath the livery, the mini vehicles feature aluminum bodies, cockpits, and an electric drivetrain that ensures pretty decent numbers for something in this class.
As per the original specs of the Baby II, the scale car comes with two driving modes, one meant for adults and the other for kids. The big boys and gals can travel in this thing at speeds of 45 kph (28 mph), but kids can only have their fun at less than half that.
Compared to the original run, these six special vehicles come with unique appointments. Paint job aside, each of them comes with a brass identification plate installed in the cockpit, a unique chassis number that matches each of the original Type 35s, and a hand-painted entry number on the radiator and hood. Topping everything off is the mention "1 of 1" featured on each of the six models.
Five years ago when the Baby II first broke cover The Little Car Company was selling each and every one of them for about $32,500. This time, however, we're not told how much the special models are worth.
In all fairness, pricing matters little, and that's so for two reasons. First, no regular Joe will ever pay American muscle car money for something that's essentially a toy. Second, even those with the means to do that can't get their hands on a Bugatti Baby II Type 35 Centenary Edition, because all six have already been spoken for.
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