These New Mini Bugattis Are All-Electric Odes to One of the Marque’s Most Iconic Models

From its first customer delivery in 2021, it was clear that The Little Car Company had big ambitions. Its products may be slightly downsized electric homages to some of the most beautiful, desirable, and collectible automotive models of the past, but those proportions are the only thing small-scale about this manufacturer.

In just three years, the lineup has grown to four models (with one more on the way), all developed with the full approval and involvement of their original marques. Each is sized between 66 and 85 percent of the original, yet can comfortably be driven by most adults. The volumes are way bigger than those for some of the actual models they honor. Around 500 examples of the Bugatti Baby II will be made, similar to the original children’s car made by Ettore Bugatti, but over 1,000 examples of the Aston Martin DB5 Junior will be made, far more than the original Volante.

There have also been race series and instantly sold-out limited editions, just as you’d expect from a full-size automaker. The Little Car Company’s Bentley Blower Jnr can even be driven on the road. And the prices are hefty, if not quite on a par with what you’d pay for one of the originals at auction. Its first model, the Bugatti Baby II, costs around £55,000 (nearly $70,000).

It’s little wonder that the company has now rebranded as Hedley Studios, dropping the “little” and taking the name of its founder and CEO, Ben Hedley. And it’s now echoing another big-car company tradition by doing its own art cars. Individuals have long turned their personal vehicles into rolling canvases—think John Lennon’s Rolls-Royce Phantom or Janis Joplin’s Porsche 356. But BMW really owns the art-car idea, having commissioned Warhol, Lichtenstein, Hockney, and Koons, among many others, to create liveries for its select automobiles.

Hedley recently commissioned New York–based artist Alex Alpert to create two works, each on a Bugatti Baby II and referencing the history of the marque, including the centenary of the Type 35, Bugatti’s historic headquarters at the Château Saint Jean in eastern France, and the “dancing elephant” mascot designed by Ettore Bugatti’s sculptor brother, Rembrandt.

Alpert’s work has been described as “stream of consciousness,” and is typically monochrome, graphic, and free-flowing. He has collaborated with musicians and major brands, and often “performs” live. For the Hedley Studios art cars, he used acrylic markers on a specially prepared paint base, with his work then secured under a clear coat. The owners will also be able to work with Alpert on a second commission, one done on a more conventional canvas and intended to stay inside their home or garage.

“Alex Alpert’s art is both thought-provoking and evocative,” says Ben Hedley, “and this reflects the experience that we aim to deliver for our clients with our pieces of drivable artwork.” Hedley mentions that Alpert has done commissions for such names as Nike, Formula 1, and American Express.

“The Bugatti Baby II is a fascinating and meticulously engineered piece of automotive art,” says Alpert. “I’m excited to have been given the opportunity to apply my own style and vision to two examples of the model.”

As for the price and availability of both art cars, that information has yet to be revealed. A limited run of six baby-blue Bugatti Baby II examples, though, which were created earlier this year to celebrate the centenary of the first Grand Prix outing of the Bugatti Type 35 on which it’s based, had sold out before the project was made public.

Click here for more photos of these Bugatti Baby II art cars.

Credit: robbreport.com