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Topic starter
29/01/2017 2:52 pm
A very special Bugatti model (pics).
Way back in 2015 I found out that MAFMA was introducing 3 versions of the Bugatti Type 37A. The built versions initially offered included a red one with fenders, an open hood and 8-spoke wheels, a Bugatti-blue one with fenders, no engine and yellow wire wheels, and a white one with blue chassis, black wires, no fenders, and no engine detail. As you can see, mine is none of these.
The built models are LEs of 30 in each color. Also, 30 of them are offered as multi-media kits - resin body, white metal chassis and detail parts, photoetch, and even a thin vinyl for the hood straps. Famed builder Christian Gouel is the craftsman, and I have always wanted one of his models.
photo no longer available
The real Type 37 appeared in 1926 with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and the gearbox from the Type 35. Fitted with a Rootes-type supercharger it was good for 90 horsepower and 175 kph.
Chassis 37316 was originally Pierre Veyron's (Veyron, along with J-P Wimille, would use another Bugatti to win Le Mans in 1939). So where is it today? In Jay Leno's garage! Check out the YouTube video here
photo no longer available
So I wanted a model of Jay's car but I wanted the engine detail of the red car. I requested to Yves if this was possible and the result is that 7 of the 30 white ones have this feature. If you go to the MAFMA website you will see that these 7 are by request of of a collector - me!
photo no longer available
So I got this in September 2015 and I'm not posting until now. What gives, Harv, you may ask? Well, upon arrival there was some breakage - the motor had dislodged, the plug wires had half shaken loose, and radiator hoses (made from wire) were dangling. Yves was able to get me new "plug wires" but, to be honest, I am a hopeless procrastinator.
Today dawned dreary and cold, so I tackled the restoration. First I had to get the engine back in position, no easy task since it will not come out and the body is not removable from the chassis. But once that was complete, then I had to tackle the far-side radiator hose - I didn't get it quite back into the hole provided in the radiator but got it close enough. Then came those tedious plug wires (by this point all 4 original ones had come loose).
So a few hours killed but finally, Jay's car is back in shape!
29/01/2017 3:24 pm
Harvey - Just watched the Leno video -
Great model - thanks for sharing!
29/01/2017 3:25 pm
Harvey, it is a very special Bugatti. Loved your story and the labeled pictures and much appreciated the Jay Leno video. Fun and Thank You.
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve
29/01/2017 4:04 pm
Fantastic car, Harvey! Thanks for the Leno video too.
29/01/2017 5:22 pm
Well done, Harvey. And a good story, too.
30/01/2017 12:09 am
Wonderful model Harv! Had a rise in one of these many years ago.
It was owned by a retired major in Wiltshire and was in what my favourite magazine The Automobile would term 'oily rag condition'. I'd never been in a Bugatti before and haven't been in one since. Great fun and an experience remembered forever. The major has long since departed to the model room above and I believe the Bugatti now lives on your side of the pond.
30/01/2017 2:34 am
Ooops!! I meant a ride not a rise! Must use my glasses.
30/01/2017 4:27 am
Thanks Harvey. You did a great job of putting Humpty
Dumpty back together again. Super model with a super story.