1926 Bugatti Type 35C: 100 important cars

Ettore Bugatti was drawn to automobiles and mechanics from a young age; at the age of 17, Ettore installed an engine in a tricycle, and in 1901, at age 19, the Italian native exhibited his Type 2 at an international trade fair in Milan.

However, it would be more than 20 years after the debut of the Type 2 before Bugatti became known to the public. [In 1924, Ettore presented the Type 35. Despite Bugatti's reputation at the beginning of the decade for building race-winning cars, the Type 35 could only finish seventh in the first Grand Prix at Lyon, France, because its tires were not properly vulcanized.

Under its long hood was a 2.0-liter inline 8-cylinder producing 90 hp. After the Type 35's somewhat lackluster start, it decided to follow in the footsteps of its rivals and install a supercharger. Famously, Ettore did not favor any kind of forced induction, but the supercharger transformed the Type 35 (called the Type 35C) into a powerhouse racing car that produced about 135 hp.

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The Type 35 quickly racked up numerous Grand Prix victories and outperformed the competition in the Targa Florio. The Type 35 won every Targa Florio between 1925 and 1929. Naturally, Bugatti gave the special Type 35 that competed in the Targa Florio the name Type 35T with an even larger 2.3-liter inline 8-cylinder engine.

By the end of the decade, Bugatti and the Type 35 had won more than 1,850 races, including two 24 Hours of Le Mans and the first Grand Prix de Monaco with the Type 35B.

While its performance on the track strengthened Bugatti's image as a world-class automaker, the Type 35 also brought distinctive design cues that the brand still incorporates today. In particular, the horseshoe radiator grille, which debuted on the Type 35, is a design that is still used on every Bugatti model today.

Bugatti's fortunes would wane over the next decade. With World War II looming and the death of Ettore's son, Jean, Bugatti was outmatched. The Type 35 was only a reminder of its former glory. Ettore Bugatti himself died in 1947. The original Bugatti, which had been closely associated with motorsport victories, was disbanded in 1952.

Today, the spirit of the Type 35 lives on in modern Bugatti. Bugatti still produces the most powerful and fastest cars on the planet. The spirit can be traced back to the French racing blue Grand Prix cars.

Note to readers: Motor Authority has compiled a list of 100 cars that changed enthusiasts forever. From supercars to sedans, SUVs to muscle cars, these are the cars that ignited our love for cars. Do you think we missed something? Leave a comment below or contact us here.