Amalgam BUGATTI Type 59 - 1935 Belgian Grand Prix - Wimille -1/8

Description

Amalgam BUGATTI Type 59 - 1935 Belgian Grand Prix 1:8

• Limited to only 15 pieces
• 1:8 scale model, over 52 cm long
• Based on the racing car with which Jean-Pierre Wimille competed in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on 14 July 1935
• Each model is manufactured and assembled by hand by a small team of craftsmen
• Made from the highest quality materials
• With removable motor cover
• Over 5000 hours of development time
• Over 500 hours of production time per model
• Thousands of precision-manufactured parts: Castings, photo-etched parts and CNC-machined metal components
• Original CAD designs created after scanning chassis 59122 owned by Ralph Lauren
• Archive images and paint codes from Bugatti

The Bugatti Type 59, the ultimate embodiment of a Grand Prix racing car, was a testament to the exceptional engineering skills of Ettore and Jean Bugatti. At a time when the art of race car construction was increasingly being replaced by science, the Type 59 remained competitive despite its continued use of more traditional technology. Although it was often beaten by its more modern, state-sponsored rivals, its long, flat and sleek bodywork secured it a very special place in Grand Prix history. The Type 59 is Bugatti's last successful Grand Prix racing car.

The Type 59 is generally regarded as an artistic masterpiece: it preserved the legacy of the legendary and highly successful Type 35, which Ettore Bugatti had designed a decade earlier. However, by extending the wheelbase of the new chassis frame, he created a beautiful Grand Prix car with perfect proportions. Its in-line eight-cylinder engine was concealed under the all-aluminium body. The engine was a new development under the direction of Ettore's eldest son Jean, which was to power not only the Type 59 racing car but also the forthcoming Gran Turismo Type 57. In the Grand Prix version, it was equipped with two camshafts, dry sump lubrication and a lightened crankshaft. At its premiere, the engine had a displacement of 2.8 litres, which was soon increased to almost 3.3 litres by means of a supercharger. For optimum weight distribution, a separate four-speed gearbox was installed roughly in the centre between the engine and the rear axle differential.

The ladder-frame chassis of the Type 59 was almost identical to that of its predecessor, the Type 54. Unusually, the front and rear axles consisted of two halves that were interlocked in the centre, giving the traditional rigid axles a certain flexibility. Ettore Bugatti favoured the concept of the two-seater Grand Prix, and the Type 59 was no exception: the driver sat to the right of the centre of the car, and his famous flair for design was evident in exquisite details such as the masterfully crafted piano wire spoked wheels. This special design was supported by a robust mechanical system: An aluminium backplate absorbed the torque from the drive and brakes, while the spokes themselves only absorbed radial forces.

Due to long delays, the Bugatti Type 59 did not make its debut until late in the 1933 season, and the car also had to be modified to comply with the new 750 kg regulations that came into force in 1934. The Bugatti was not particularly successful on the racetrack. Although rivals Auto Union, Mercedes-Benz and Alfa Romeo had introduced significant innovations with independent suspension and hydraulic brakes, the Type 59 remained competitive despite its rigid axles and cable-operated drum brakes. It won a single major Grand Prix, at Spa in 1934, and even then many factors played a role. Bugatti's German rivals Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union withdrew in the run-up to the race (allegedly due to problems with Belgian customs at the border), and the other competitors also had to contend with difficulties, so only seven cars started, including three Type 59s. Bugatti's remaining main rival, Alfa Romeo, took a commanding lead before both cars retired - one due to an accident, the other due to a broken oil pipe. This cleared the way for René Dreyfus and Antonio Brivio, who clinched a fantastic one-two victory for the French brand. However, the Bugatti Type 59 was able to record further successes in smaller Grand Prix races: Jean-Pierre Wimille won in Algiers in 1934 and in Deauville in 1936, while Robert Benoist triumphed in Picardy in 1935.

Today, Bugatti Type 59s are coveted collector's items with an estimated value of over £10 million. Only seven vehicles were built in Grand Prix configuration, four of which drove for the Bugatti works team. All of them are still in existence today. Current owners include Ralph Lauren and industrial designer Marc Newson. A former Grand Prix chassis, which was converted into a sports car in the 1930s, realised £9.5 million at auction in 2020.

This detailed 1:8 scale model is based on the racing car with which Jean-Pierre Wimille competed in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on 14 July 1935. Wimille qualified in fourth place and made a fantastic start, moving up to second place on the first lap. However, the French candidate for victory retired after just seven laps due to engine problems. For the detailed replica of the Type 59, we utilised our high-precision digital scan of chassis 59122, which we were kindly allowed to use by current owner Ralph Lauren, and developed this stunningly detailed and accurate 1:8 scale replica in collaboration with Bugatti.

Item number: M5740