Amalgam BUGATTI Type 57SC Atlantic - „La Voiture Noire“ (1936) | Limited Edition 1:8 - 1/8

Description

Amalgam BUGATTI Type 57SC Atlantic - „La Voiture Noire“ (1936) | Limited edition in large scale 1:8.

The Type 57SC Atlantic, one of the most legendary Bugatti cars of the early Bugatti era, was characterised by its flowing coupé lines and the striking roof seam running from the front to the rear. The Aérolithe concept designed in 1935, on which the 57SC was based, used electronic composite material for its body parts. As the alloy was robust and lightweight, but extremely flammable at high temperatures, the engineers had to rivet the parts from the outside. The production models of the 57SC Atlantic had bodies made of plain aluminium, although the roof seam was retained for stylistic reasons.

The name Atlantic was chosen in honour of Jean Bugatti's pilot friend Jean Mermoz, who did not return from an Atlantic crossing. The „S“ stood for „Surbaissé“ („lowered“), which was a huge undertaking in itself, and the „C“ for „Compresseur“, a supercharger that Bugatti introduced in response to customer demand for more power. Hidden under the iconic long bonnet was a 197 PS 3.3-litre in-line eight-cylinder engine, which enabled the coupé to reach a top speed of over 200 km/h.

Only four examples of the Type 57SC were produced, three of which were sold to customers. The first went to the British banker Victor Rothschild, the third to the Parisian businessman Jacques Holzschuh and the fourth to the Briton R. B. Pope. Tragically, Holzschuh's Atlantic was involved in a serious accident and was completely destroyed. Decades later, the car was extensively restored, although the engine could no longer be saved.

This model is a detailed 1:8 scale replica of the second car, the legendary „La Voiture Noire“ (The Black Car). Bugatti was so impressed by the elegance and sophistication of his creation that he had the second Atlantic built for his own use. At the outbreak of the Second World War, La Voiture Noire was taken to safety when German troops invaded Alsace and was lost forever. The last mention of it can be found on a list of vehicles that were to be delivered to Rue Alfred Daney in Bordeaux in February 1941. Its disappearance over 80 years ago remains the greatest mystery in Bugatti's legendary history. Today, „La Voiture Noire“ lives on as a myth.

For the realisation of „La Voiture Noire“, we used our high-precision digital scan of the RB-Pope model, which the current owner Ralph Lauren kindly allowed us to use. In collaboration with Bugatti automotive historian Julius Kruta, we developed this stunningly detailed and precise scale replica. Based on archive images and 3D data from one of only two confirmed surviving examples of the 57SC Atlantic, this is undoubtedly the best existing reference for chassis number 57453. This fine model was handcrafted and finished in our workshops, working closely with the manufacturer on original paintwork, materials, archive images and drawings. In addition, the prototype model was thoroughly scrutinised by the manufacturer's engineering and design teams to ensure an absolutely accurate representation.

The Bugatti 57SC Atlantic ‚La Voiture Noire‘ is limited to just 99 units.

Item number: M5260

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