In 1926, Ettore Bugatti and his son Jean decided to build a scaled-down Type 35 for Ettore’s youngest son, Roland’s fourth birthday. The vehicle was supposed to be a lavish one-off, produced to entice young Roland into the world of racing, but such was demand that it was actually put into production and sold between 1927 and 1936.
Of course, these handmade miniature Bugattis are now cherished by enthusiasts worldwide and no collection is complete without a Baby. However, with only around 500 ever made, they rarely change hands and when they do, it costs collectors around the same as your average modern supermini.
However, Bugatti has decided to re-release the Baby, injecting the classic shell with either a 1.4kWh battery pack or a faster 2.8kWh version. Power is pumped to the rear wheels through a slip differential, while stopping power is provided by a performance hydraulic brake system.
It is larger than the original model too, with its makers claiming even teenagers can enjoy the new Baby, while basic models come with Novice and Expert modes, the former limiting speed to 12mph and the later opening the taps so the diminutive machine can reach up to 30mph.
What’s more, the highly coveted Vitesse and Pur Sang models will try and spin their rear Michelin tyres from standstill, on the way to a 42mph top speed. Depending on the weight of the driver, 0-35mph is dispatched in just six seconds.
The amount of technology on every car is staggering ,with regenerative braking helping to top up the battery packs, LED headlights and adjustable foot pedals. The car itself is based on a digital 3D scan of an original Lyon GP car with identical geometry and suspension. The only nod to modernity is the introduction of adjustable dampers, allowing clients to tailor the handling in ways not possible in the Type 35’s heyday.
You’ll need a sizeable private driveway to exploit the performance, though, as these aren’t road legal, and extremely deep pockets to secure on in the first place. The Base model starts at €30,000 (around £27,000), the Vitesse at €43,500 (around £40,000) and the collectable Pur Sang tops the range at €58,500 (around £53,000).
Keyword: Bugatti Baby II: the £30,000 vintage toy car for today's rich kids