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Topic starter
26/04/2026 10:36 am
Known lovingly as the "Tank", this super lightweight and streamlined Bugatti Type 57C was designed by Jean Bugatti who even calculated the number of holes he could put in the chassis and crankshaft to achieve weight reduction to his liking. Powered by a 200 HP supercharged 3.3 liter DOHC straight 8, it hit 158 mph on the Le Mans straights. Although the Alfa Romeo was the favorite to win, factory drivers Jean-Pierre Wimille and Pierre Veyron did not go all out but rather concentrating on saving tires and brakes and thereby finished first with an average lap speed of 139 mph. The war ended racing for the duration and when entered into the first post war Le Mans in 1950, the "Tank" was already outdated and lost to a Talbot-Lago. This T57C was destroyed in a crash during testing, but the similar shaped Type 57G that won the 1937 Le Mans still exists today.
26/04/2026 12:45 pm
....it's a good job of weathering & enhancing; it really makes a difference. 👍 👍 👍
GDH and Rich Sufficool reacted
26/04/2026 1:19 pm
A absolutely beautiful racing automobile and replica of this one. Wow, that color is really excellent and is especially attractive ! It is bound to elicit discussions about this car and the visual details evident on this model of it.
Christopher Moroni and GDH reacted
Topic starter
26/04/2026 2:37 pm
...it's a good job of weathering & enhancing; it really makes a difference.
I love those spidery wheels.
Christopher Moroni and GDH reacted
27/04/2026 9:49 am
Beautiful model. It was these Le Mans Bugattis that first got me interested in race cars.
Christopher Moroni and GDH reacted
27/04/2026 6:23 pm
Wonderful pictures and writeup Rich. When a late friend passed away his widow asked if I could help her to sell off bis model collection. This was one of the models he had. At the time I thought this was one of the ugliest cars I had ever seen...today I regret not buying the model.
Christopher Moroni and Rich Sufficool reacted