Bugatti likes to remind people of its affection for classic cars and automotive artistry. The most recent example is the one-of-one Bugatti Baby II. The project is the result of a collaboration between the marque’s Sur Mesure and Individualization expert, Jascha Straub, and Hedley Studios.
The Baby II is a three-quarter-scale, drivable electric tribute to the legendary Type 35. The handcrafted car celebrates Bugatti’s 115-year heritage, and its unveiling aligns with Bugatti’s love for dramatic announcements.
There’s certainly plenty of drama here. The car seeks to merge engineering brilliance with artistic craftsmanship, and it’s safe to say it succeeded. Any vintage car fan will immediately see the beauty. There’s also no doubt that even people who don’t care much for cars will see the artistic flair in this little automobile.
Inspired by Ettore Bugatti’s vision, the Baby II is a manifestation of the marque’s pursuit of excellence in both form and function. Ettore would probably give his nod of approval if he could see the work of art.
The ‘Nocturne’ black and ‘Giallo Midas’ yellow finish on the car exudes class and elegance, paying homage to a classic Bugatti color scheme personally favored by Ettore Bugatti.
The color scheme, most famously seen on the Type 57 Grand Raid Usine, underscores Bugatti’s rich racing legacy. Complementing the dramatic exterior is an interior upholstered in black leather. Put together by ‘fine automotive leather’ company Bridge of Weir, it reinforces the connection between contemporary craftsmanship and Bugatti’s legacy.
Beyond its beauty, the car is also a tribute to Ettore Bugatti’s passion for horses. Ettore’s passion for horsepower and horses may have been a common trend in his day. He worked with horses in Molsheim and drew inspiration from these animals for his automobiles.
Straub, the mastermind behind Bugatti’s Sur Mesure program, curated a series of hand-drawn sketches—from images of horses and winning Type 35 racing cars to Ettore and Jean Bugatti. These intricate drawings, etched onto the car’s body panels, have been preserved beneath a fine clear-coat finish to ensure that each artistic element remains frozen in time.
This art-meets-engineering automobile is a testament to the persistence of tradition in the face of innovation. Every element of the Baby II, from the chassis design to its tailored personalization, reflects the seamless fusion of Bugatti’s engineering expertise and Hedley Studios’ artistic mastery.
The philosophy behind the car’s design echoes the process used in creating Bugatti’s most sought-after Sur Mesure hyper sports cars to ensure this one-off model stays in line with the brand’s ethos.
For Hedley Studios, the project is the latest in a string of successful collaborations with Bugatti. Others include the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport ‘Golden Era’ and the Baby II Tourbillon. According to Ben Hedley, Founder and CEO of Hedley Studios, working alongside Straub and the Bugatti team was an opportunity to merge engineering excellence with artistic ingenuity.
Everybody knows Bugatti isn’t in the business of making regular automobiles. The marque specializes in building machines that are not only fast but illustrate the kind of classic beauty you can get when you blend artistic innovation with impeccable engineering. The Baby II is a perfect example of that, as shown in its hand-etched depictions of historic Bugatti moments and impressive overall design.
