Vehicle Description
1927 Bugatti Kit Car
Helle Nice was a talented, bold and beautiful race car driver, a
true pioneer of the sport in her day. She owned and raced this type
car in the early 1930s, competing at prestigious international
circuits like Le Mans, Reims and Monza. Nice would develop an
enviable association with the Bugatti marque, leading to her
nickname, "The Bugatti Queen."
With an original going to the stratosphere in pricing, and that's
even if there is one available, we turn to the kit car and this
1927 Bugatti 35 Grand Prix Racer which sits on a VW chassis (now
that's an unlikely combo!). It has a consigner stated rare
semi-automatic transmission and has been beautifully well built
with attention to detail.
Exterior
Shades of the original with a chromed radiator surround, dual
flanking headlights expertly chromed, and arched fenders protecting
the thin whitewall tires which wrap classy chromed spoke wire
wheels, we are looking racy, but with total class. Bathed in red
this all fiberglass body is lightweight and rust free without even
the ability to rust if it wanted to. The boat tail back is the
feature which catches your eye, and then you can take the remainder
of the car in. A chromed front window surround neatly conforms to
the front cowl with its venting, and upon opening this area it is
just storage due to our VW donor engine being in back.
Interior
A nice curved white vinyl bench stretches from side to side (look
MA! no doors) and you can rest your arm on the rear fender if you
feel a need for a lean. Some red piping adds a contrast to the sea
of white tuck and roll. A curvaceous wood dash is fronted by a wood
rimmed rally steering wheel (left hand drive) and some black faced
instrumentation stretching across the dash. Black carpet for the
floors and the remainder of the interior is covered with white low
pile carpeting.
Drivetrain
Removal of the boat tail rear panel and we see the circa 1970
1600cc VW air cooled engine, looking restored and clean with a
fresh spray of black throughout. This engine is fed by a 1-barrel
Solex carburetor and has the infamous Saxomat 3-speed automatic
stick-shift which works smoothly...amazing, and it fits within the
rear boat-tail cowl.
Undercarriage
Angle iron forms the frame, a transverse torsion bar is the front
suspension and independent rear suspension all out for the world to
see, and all painted black. Drum brakes are on all 4 corners.
Drive-Ability
As noted, the car starts right up, and the transmission actuates
normally and smoothly. A good handler, and an interesting driver
with the open cockpit. All functions were working well at the time
of our test drive. Our refers to my gas man and mechanic which all
the old racers took along in case you needed a repair at 100mph!
Pits?...we don't need no stinking pits!
A classy replica loosely based on the 1927 Bugatti 35 racer, she
runs great and looks the part. Sounds like a VW and looks like a
Bugatti, one could not be further apart on the spectrum, but a fun
driver for sure.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
