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Topic starter
21/04/2020 4:35 am
Matrix Bugatti Type 18 "Black Bess"
New in the Louwman Museum series is the famous Bugatti "Black Bess" from the pre-WWI era. Roland Garros was a friend of Etttore Bugatti and the car's first owner. When the car was acquired by Brit Ivy Cummings it acquired its nickname and was raced at Brooklands. Eventually it was restored, made some vintage racing appearances and ended up at the Louwman. It had a 5.0-liter engine and was the only Bugatti with chain drive.
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I recall there was once a white metal kit of this car, possibly by Auto Replicas. Matrix did a nice job as usual, though my preference is for cast windshield frames instead of p/e since the latter his a flat appearance. The offset seats allow the driver to be unimpeded by the riding mechanic's activity. Nice to see a model from the brass era.
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Matrix calls the year 1910 but two online sources say Garros got it in 1913. An excellent write-up is here.
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21/04/2020 4:53 am
Fantastic model and pics Harvey...is the Louwman Museum series a Matrix series?
or a name just for the museum?
this just might be the worlds first boat-tail car!
Topic starter
21/04/2020 5:35 am
Ben - The Louwman Museum is at the Hague. Matrix has been making several of their cars.
Matrix, being a Dutch company, apparently has made a deal with the museum to issue models of some of their cars. So far, 13 have been issued. I have six others besides this Bugatti (note the distinctive blue felt bases on these):
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21/04/2020 7:21 am
Outstanding model Harv, another to my long wishlist
Keko Romero Sánchez
Cádiz, Spain
http://kekomovil.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/KekoRS143
https://www.youtube.com/@ElKekomovil143
21/04/2020 7:22 am
Wow! these are all so elegant Harvey! a very nice series to have!
21/04/2020 9:38 am
Great model Harv. I have the white metal kit here somewhere...
I got it when I went to visit Mike Stephens after he'd sold Western Models. It was with a host of other kits in a plain box. I don't think it's Auto Replicas...but I'm not sure whose it is! AR, of course, made the Brescia in a couple of versions.
Topic starter
21/04/2020 10:20 am
Could be the Brescia I'm thinking of. But I know somebody made Black Bess.
21/04/2020 10:38 am
Black Bess was made available as a white metal kit in 1/43rd by GPM in their "Classic Cars" series and also was in the "Plumbies" range also of 1/43rd kits, the Matrix version is superb in comparison but the kits were manufactured in the 1970s
21/04/2020 4:01 pm
A beautiful model.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
22/04/2020 9:37 pm
…. and note RHD no Bugatti ever had LHD despite being built in France.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
22/04/2020 9:38 pm
An exceptional model Harv and you have had a few additions to your collection lately.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
26/04/2020 8:22 am
thanks for the info!