The arch/egg-shaped radiator is emblematic, as is the rear of the car. The tapered stern has been called a 'Bordino tail'.
The Type 35 was phenomenally successful, winning over 1,000 races in its time. It won 351 races and set 47 records in the two prior years to taking the Grand Prix World Championship in 1926. At its height, the Type 35 averaged 14 race wins per week. Bugatti won the Targa Florio for five consecutive years, from 1925 through 1929, with the Type 35.
The Bugatti Type 35 was continually being modified and improved upon, but broadly falls into the following nomenclature:
This original, defining model was introduced at the 1924 French Grand Prix, held at Lyon. The car used an evolution of the three-valve 1,991 cc (121.5 cu in) overhead cam straight-eight engine first seen on the Type 29. Bore and stroke were 60 mm × 88 mm (2.36 in × 3.46 in). This new powerplant featured a sophisticated roller bearing system, numbering five in total. This allowed the engine to rev to 6,000 rpm. Output was up to 90 hp (67 kW).
96 of these un-supercharged T35 examples were produced.
A mechanically simpler version of the Type 35 appeared in May 1925. The Tecla's engine used plain bearings on the crankshaft (for ease of maintenance), smaller valves, and coil ignition. 139 examples of the Type 35A were produced.
Bugatti introduced a special model for the 1926 Targa Florio race with an engine displacement increased to 2,262 cc (138.0 cu in) with a longer 100 mm (3.9 in) stroke. 13 T35Ts were produced.
The Type 35C was introduced in 1926 and featured a Roots supercharger. Output was nearly 128 bhp (95 kW) with a single Zenith carburettor. Approximately 45 examples left the factory.
Named by the factory "Type 35TC" (Targa Compressor), this most powerful version became known colloquially as the "T35B". Output was 138 bhp (103 kW). A British Racing Green Type 35B driven by William Grover-Williams won the inaugural 1929 Monaco Grand Prix. Around 37 Type 35B were produced.
The Type 37 sports car used the same chassis and bodywork as the full-power Type 35, but were mostly delivered with wire wheels. Fitted with a new 1.5 litre (1,496 cc, 91 cu in) straight-4 engine (69 mm x 100 mm), it was easier to maintain for many privateer drivers. This engine was a SOHC three-valve design and produced 60 bhp (45 kW). Around 223 Type 37s were built.
The supercharged Type 37A enabled engine output to reach 60–67 kW (80–90 bhp). Around 67 Type 37As were produced.
The Type 39 was similar to the Type 35 except for the engine crankshaft, modified to produce a smaller 1.5 litre (1,493 cc, 91 cu in). 10 examples were produced (some being supercharged (Type 39A)).