Inside the Wild World of Pur Sang, Where Classic Bugattis Are Made
Pur Sang Does More Than Just Bugattis
As Bothwell carries on with his hands-on inspection of the Type 35, it’s hard for the eyes not to wander around his workshop. While there are some modern vehicles (up to the 1950s!) present, it is, unsurprisingly, mostly classic rides. And, indeed, it’s hard for the eyes not to wander when there are stunning vehicles, like this vintage Alfa Romeo in attendance. It’s a 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza, and any keen-eyed reader will notice something important about it.
Long before Enzo Ferrari built his own automobiles, he supplied his racing engines to other coachbuilders, like Alfa. The name likely gives it away, however, this Monza features a 2.3-liter inline-8 cylinder engine, which is supercharged. This engine configuration was popular at the time, as the Type 35 also features a very similar engine.
The effect is stunning. The 2300, at first glance, appears enormous, but, in reality, its footprint is diminutive. It could hide in the shadow of a modern Honda Civic. This all comes down to presence, which this Pur Sang vehicle is just dripping with. We didn’t get to experience this one, other than by being in it’s presence, but it was truly impossible to ignore, and had to be included in here.
Actually, speaking of experiences, let’s get back to the Type 35, where Bothwell has now completed his pre-flight inspections, and has deemed it road-ready.
How Do You Start This Thing?
The Bugatti Type 35 doesn’t have a starter motor, but it does have a hand crank, located at the front of the engine compartment. A few swift thwaps later, and the Type 35 explodes into life.
The sound is deafening, and Bothwell hastily beckons us to slide open the garage’s large doors to get the Type 35 out. After some cajoling, Bothwell his the Type 35 outside and basking in the Southern California sunlight. Being in the midst of it all, one can’t help but wonder if this is what the paddock at race tracks around the globe looked and sounded like some 100 years ago. After about five minutes of warming up the 2.0-liter supercharged inline-8 cylinder engine, Bothwell gives us his blessing and says to hit the road. Naturally, he’s riding along to help us 21st century folk get around in this pre-war gem.
Of course, before we can go anywhere, we have to get in the Type 35. While it doesn’t have doors, it also doesn’t have a roof, so going all Dukes of Hazzard makes the initial entry portion of this process rather easy. Things get difficult when you go to slide into the driver’s position, where, rather interestingly, the all-metal bodywork creates an interesting problem for those taller than about 5’6″. While there is all the headroom on Earth, literally, the footwell is incredibly compact. Things like feet, and knees, were not a part of the interior design considerations back in 1927.
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