Hardly anyone can escape the charm of the legendary Bugatti Type 35, the car that dominated motor racing for much of the 1920s and is now considered the most successful race car of all time, with more than two thousand podium finishes during its racing career.
With its stunning teardrop-shaped bodyshell and outstanding driving characteristics, it still represents an important source of inspiration for Bugatti and other manufacturers. For its 110th anniversary, the Molsheim brand has collaborated with Oxfordshire's Hedley Studios to develop the adorable Bugatti Baby II, a fully electric homage to the original Type 35, and now this scaled-down modern reincarnation of the iconic race car has been used as a blank canvas for artistic expression.
Known for creating remarkable pieces of collectible automotive art, Hedley Studios (formerly The Little Car Company) has given renowned New York-based artist Alex Alpert free rein to unleash his creativity on not one but two Bugatti Baby II examples and turn them into true rolling works of art.
The commission features a black and a white model, each coming with an original print signed off by the artist. The Bugatti Baby II was the British company's inaugural model, and Alpert's distinctive artwork with free-flowing lines and detailed shading beautifully highlights the timeless elegance of the vehicle.
Photo: Hedley Studios
Alex Alpert, known for having produced art pieces for the likes of Nike, Formula 1, Adobe, and American Express, has adorned the sculpted bodies of the scaled-down Bugattis with various elements that reference the history of the French luxury marque, including the centenary of the Type 35, the company's headquarters at the Château Saint Jean, and the "Dancing Elephant" mascot designed by Rembrandt Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti's sculptor brother.
The artist used black and white acrylic paint markers to create the intricate works of art, and a meticulous preparation process was required to turn the vehicles into ready-to-use canvases. According to Hedley, each car had a layer finely sanded down so that the acrylic marker paint could be properly applied. After the artist expressed his creativity, the artwork was sealed under a layer of clear coat to ensure it stands the test of time.
"I’m delighted and proud to have collaborated with Hedley Studios to paint these wonderful pieces," Alex Alpert has said. "The Bugatti Baby II is a fascinating and meticulously engineered piece of automotive art, and I'm excited to have been given the opportunity to apply my own style and vision to two examples of the model."
Photo: Hedley Studios
Ben Hedley, founder of Hedley Studios, is also excited about this collaboration, saying that "Alex Alpert’s art is both thought-provoking and evocative, and this reflects the experience that we aim to deliver for our clients with our pieces of driveable artwork."
Many automotive enthusiasts see cars as works of art, but these beautifully painted Bugatti Baby IIs will certainly excite not only gearheads but also art aficionados. Like all the other Hedley Studios creations, the base vehicles are handcrafted by talented artisans at the company's headquarters, Bicester Heritage.
Price and availability information is yet to be revealed, but Hedley Studios says that, as a bonus, the lucky future owners of these one-of-a-kind examples will also have the unique opportunity to work directly with Alpert on a second commission, this time one meant to adorn their home, garage, or office, as it will be made on a conventional canvas.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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