Nestled far from the clamour of metropolitan life lies an extraordinary establishment where automotive dreams take on a remarkable, diminutive form. This is The Little Car Company, a haven for dedicated automobile enthusiasts with a penchant for scaled-down wonders!
Honey, I Shrunk the Cars!
Founded in 2019, The Little Car Company’s journey began when the French automaker, Bugatti, entrusted Ben Hedley, the CEO of the company, with a remarkable feat – recreating the miniature Baby Bugatti that Ettore Bugatti had lovingly crafted for his son back in 1926. Since its inception, the company has experienced a rapid ascent. Beyond the Bugatti project, their expanding range now includes scaled-down models, not toys, of iconic vehicles that are meticulously designed to offer an experience that is both compact enough for young drivers and spacious enough to comfortably accommodate adults.
TLCC X Bugatti
What immediately catches the eye is the remarkable attention to detail that defines the Baby Bugatti II. Built at 75% scale, it effortlessly mirrors the classic lines and curves of the original Type 35, complete with the iconic Bugatti horseshoe grille, prominently displayed Bugatti emblem and a lustrous blue finish that pays a fitting tribute to the original 1924 French Grand Prix car. Every inch of this miniature masterpiece has been painstakingly recreated, ensuring an authentic and captivating visual appeal.
The Baby Bugatti II lineup offers three distinct models to cater to varied preferences: the Base model, the Vitesse, and the Pur Sang. Each of these models embodies the essence of Bugatti’s commitment to excellence, with only the highest quality components used in their construction. After all, what truly distinguishes the Baby Bugatti II from the crowd is the craftsmanship. Handcrafted aluminium bodywork, wheels reminiscent of Bugatti’s signature style, and plush leather upholstery within the cockpit exemplify the unwavering commitment to authenticity.
Beyond its breathtaking exterior, the Baby Bugatti II boasts a modern electric drivetrain, offering a dynamic and eco-conscious driving experience. It caters to both beginners and experienced drivers with adjustable modes, including a “Novice Mode” for learners and an “Expert Mode” that unleashes the car’s full potential upon inserting a ‘speed key’. This miniature marvel packs a punch in the performance department as well, with an impressive top speed of approximately 30 mph (50 km/h).
TLCC X Aston Martin
James Bond’s association with the Aston Martin DB5 has elevated this remarkable vehicle to the status of an automotive legend. It can be likened to a Hollywood superstar in the world of cars, thanks to its exquisite design and exceptional performance. The DB5’s design exudes an unparalleled level of sleekness that could even make a panther blush, while its performance strikes a perfect balance between speed and style. However, what catapulted the DB5 into the realm of legend were its ingenious gadgets.
Now, imagine having the opportunity not only to own this iconic vehicle but also to revel in its marvellous craftsmanship at 66% scale. The Little Car Company has introduced the diminutive DB5 in two enticing variants: the DB5 Junior No Time to Die Edition and the DB5 Vantage Junior. These electric-powered mini marvels are officially licensed by Aston Martin and Eon Productions, ensuring an authentic Bond experience.
Equipped with all the exciting gadgets, these miniature wonders feature rotating mini guns that emerge as the lamps retract, accompanied by lifelike gunshot noises emanating from the car’s external speaker. The DB5’s twin exhaust pipes ingeniously serve as a smoke screen channel, adding to the immersive experience. To take it one step further, the DB5 Junior comes with revolving digital number plates, a feature that draws from the same software used in the Bond films. Care for an Easter egg? If you hold down the switch for 007 seconds, the screen treats you to a Bond-esque video, featuring the downsized DB5.
TLCC X Ferrari
The Ferrari Testa Rossa J stands as a remarkable 75% reproduction of the legendary Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, an enduring icon in Ferrari’s storied history. With painstaking attention to detail, this exclusive tribute emerges from the original blueprints archived in Ferrari Classiche, honouring the spirit of driving across generations. A coveted collector’s item, only 299 of these official Ferrari creations exist, each meticulously handcrafted to exacting standards.
Every component boasts unrivalled quality, ensuring its pedigree as an authentic Ferrari product. The Testa Rossa J utilises hand-beaten aluminium for the body, replicating the same artisanal process that birthed the originals. The paint, front badge, functional lights, and even the horn mirror the ones found on modern Ferrari models. The rims echo the proportions of the original Borrani rims, wrapped in Pirelli Cinturato tyres. Inside, the seats have been upholstered with the same leather used in contemporary Ferrari models and the Nardi steering wheel, akin to the original’s, incorporates a unique quick-release system.
The interior dashboard faithfully replicates the original design, providing vital performance information, including battery and engine temperatures, speed, energy output, and battery charge status. Adjacent to the instrument cluster lies the elegantly designed Manettino, inspired by the Ferrari 812 Superfast, facilitating the selection of four distinct driving modes: Novice, Comfort, Sport, and Race. In every facet, the Ferrari Testa Rossa J embodies the spirit of a timeless legend while embracing the demands of contemporary performance and safety standards.
TLCC X Bentley
The Bentley Blower Jnr stands as a stunning testament to power and elegance, driven by a robust, fully electric 48-volt powertrain. This remarkable 85% scale, fully road-legal reinterpretation of the iconic 1929 Bentley Blower seamlessly marries the heritage of British craftsmanship and engineering excellence with a modern commitment to sustainability. Made from lightweight carbon fibre and featuring an exquisite aluminium bonnet, it strikes a perfect balance between power and luxury.
The first 99 units, known as the First Edition Models, are symbols of exclusivity, marked with First Edition insignias on the hood, door sill plates, dashboard, and a limited-edition ‘1 of 99’ plaque. Painted in the iconic Blower Green, with matching painted chassis and wheels, this nod to tradition proudly displays a hand-painted Union flag on both sides, celebrating its British heritage. Inside, opulence reigns with Dark Green Lustrana Hide upholstery reminiscent of the craftsmanship in the Blower Continuation Series. Subtle nods to its racing history can be seen on the side panels and radiator, while the meticulously crafted rope-bound steering wheel adds a touch of timeless elegance.
The Bentley Blower Jnr is more than just a beautiful car; it embodies the spirit of the 1929 Bentley Blower Team Car #2, once driven by the legendary Bentley Boy, Hon. HS (Tim) Birkin. In its scaled-down form, it captures the essence of its racing predecessor while offering an exhilarating, zero-emission driving experience that carries the legacy of a historic racing icon into the future.
Honey, I Blew Up the Car!
The Little Car Company is redefining the boundaries of automotive design by playing with dimensions in a truly captivating way. While they are renowned for miniaturising some iconic cars, their latest venture unleashed a torrent of imaginative possibilities.
TLCC X Tamiya
The Little Car Company has achieved the remarkable feat of upscaling a tiny RC car into a full-size EV buggy, unveiling the awe-inspiring Tamiya Wild One MAX. This extraordinary creation is a tribute to adventure and innovation, turning a beloved miniature into a life-sized marvel. Based on the iconic off-road R/C car from the 1980s, the Wild One MAX is a true embodiment of childhood dreams.
Under the bonnet of the Wild One MAX lies eight swappable battery packs, collectively boasting an impressive 14.4kWh capacity. This electric powerhouse offers a maximum estimated range of up to 200km on the road and 110km off-road, with an exhilarating top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). But it’s not just about speed; it’s about comfort and safety too. Inside, you’ll find Cobra bucket seats with 4-point harnesses, a 5″ digital screen adorned with marine-grade switches, and premium features like Brembo disc brakes, adjustable Bilstein dampers, and Maxxis 14″ off-road tires.
What makes the Wild One MAX even more captivating is the attention to detail. The Little Car Company has made modifications to the original R/C car design, widening the cockpit to comfortably seat two adult passengers and enhancing visibility by smoothing the front suspension turrets. The result is a road-legal EV buggy that measures 3.6 meters in length and 1.9 meters in width. For off-road enthusiasts, it boasts a ground clearance of 270mm, ensuring it can conquer the most challenging terrains.
Joyrides Through Time
Positioned on a decommissioned Royal Air Force base in the UK, TLCC leaves no detail unattended in its quest for perfection when it comes to engineering these “reduced-size” models. From brakes sourced from Ducati motorcycles to parts provided by renowned firms like Bilstein and Eibach for dampers and suspension components, each component is carefully selected. In the Aston Martin model, enthusiasts will even find the same Smiths gauges that were used in the original car. Hedley passionately asserts that people often perceive them as “expensive toys”, but once they get behind the wheel and experience the speed and authenticity, their perception changes drastically.
To prove just how fun it is to ride one of these mini-marvels, here’s a fun fact – In The Little Car Company’s Oxfordshire factory fridge, there’s a lone champagne bottle. If you drive one of their electric classic cars for a mile and don’t crack a smile, that bottle’s yours. Surprisingly, after four years, it’s still corked.
Embracing an Electric Future
The Little Car Company is not just a guardian of the past but also an advocate for the future. Many of their creations are powered by electric propulsion, reflecting their forward-thinking stance in an evolving automotive landscape. These electric renditions retain similar levels of thrill and excitement as their internal combustion counterparts, all while aligning with the company’s commitment to ecological responsibility and its philosophy of producing exquisite cars that enable clients to share the joy of driving across generations.
Driving the Future of the Past
Echoing their mission of ‘driving the future of the past,’ in the world of The Little Car Company, dreams are not confined by size. They are engineered, crafted, and driven with the same fervour as their full-sized counterparts. Here, nostalgia meets innovation, and passion meets precision. For automotive enthusiasts, it’s a journey that transcends scale, offering a unique opportunity to own, drive, and cherish a piece of motoring history, perfectly shrunk down or blown up.