BABY BUGATTI, L’art automobile pour enfants

Jean-Pascal Viault

The reference book for Bugatti lovers. Conceived and developed by Jean-Pascal Viault, this book is a reference for Baby Bugatti collectors and, beyond that, for art lovers.

Along with photographer Bernard Canonne, well-known by classic car enthusiasts and readers of magazines dedicated to classic cars, they have been traveling across Europe for several months, meeting owners and collectors of these unusual vehicles that delight young people participating in the Little Big Le Mans parade at the Le Mans Classic.

Baby Bugatti will be released exclusively by Editions l'Odyssée to mark the 100th anniversary of the Baby's creation and the 50th anniversary of Rétromobile, from January 28 to February 1, 2026.

This comprehensive book (400 pages) includes archives, never-before-seen old photographs, as well as previously unpublished plans of spare parts, anecdotes, and more.

A Legend

Legend has it that Roland Bugatti, the youngest son of Ettore, the founder of the Molsheim-based brand, was so fascinated by the Bugatti 35 that for his fifth birthday, he was given a 50% scale model. Named the Baby Bugatti, it was powered by an electric motor and a 12-volt battery that allowed it to travel up to 20 km/h. At the wheel of this children's car, Roland cruised the avenues of the Château Saint-Jean park.

The rest is history: the Baby Bugatti did not leave customers unmoved when they came to pick up their vehicles at the factory. Ettore Bugatti had to deal with an influx of requests and orders, which he quickly fulfilled. A wish is a command.

Between 1927 and 1930, Bugatti produced 457 copies of the children's replica of the Grand Prix, born in 1924 and first appearing on August 3, 1924, at the Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France, which also served as the European Grand Prix. It was organized in the Lyon region on a 23-kilometer circuit whose route started from the Sept Chemins, passed through Givors, and returned via the Grande Pavière and the Esses descent. The five Bugattis arrived via the Molsheim road. A sixth—the original prototype—was kept in reserve.

Photographs : Bernard Cannone and other sources.

Author : Jean-Pascal Viault

Editorial director : Gilles Cargueray, Camille Gallet

Artistic direction : Alexandre Viault

With written contributions from Caroline Bugatti (granddaughter of Ettore Bugatti), Marc Newson (Designer), Pierre-Yves Laugier and Goy Feltes (Historians), Mark Morris (Expert), and Pierre-Henri Raphanel (Official Bugatti Driver).

Proofreading: Catherine Guichardon

Original edition: €130 instead of €160 (until February 1, 2026)

ISBN :

Jean-Pascal Viault

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