French curves: Bugatti T57 SC Atlantic 1:12

This is a commissioned project of the Bugatti T57 SC Atlantic, a limited ( #31/61) 1:12 series from the "Atelier Christian Gouel" The kit consists of resin, metal, leather, wood, photo etch and cloth and is a curbside model. The owner of the kit will do the paint job and I will do the rest :D I will build this car parallel to my other project: the Ferrari 126C2

Some history

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4241/1936bugatype57scatlanti.jpg

The Type 57SC Atlantic with its low stance, 200 bhp engine, lightweight construction, 123 mph (200 kph) top speed and influential teardrop body, many believe this is the ultimate Bugatti and the first supercar ever made.
Ettore's son, Jean Bugatti, who played a large role in the development of the Type 57 series, personally styled the Atlantic. Jean's lines draw an interesting mix of aircraft styling together with the avant-garde tear-drop that is so reminiscent of the thirties. Design highlights include a heavily raked windscreen, riveted fins, and oval doors with kidney-shaped side windows.

Momentum behind the style was structured by a design concept of incorporating Electron, an alloy of magnesium and aluminum from IG Farben of Germany, in the design. Though it is strong, and up to one third the weight of aluminum, it is also highly flammable thus welding was not possible. This meant that each panel had to be riveted into place which posed a particular problem for traditional design. Therefore, Jean incorporated the rivet's aesthetic into the wings of the car and created a telling combination of function and form.
As the first car to bear fins, the silver Electron Aerolithe Prototype debuted as a possible sport model of the Type 57 series at the 1935 Paris Motor Show. As much of a sensation as the car must have been, it only drew three orders. By the time production commenced in 1936, standard aluminum was chosen over the flammable electron and the specially lowered Type 57S chassis, with its smaller, V-shaped radiator was used.

The engineering on these Atlantics was similar to the other Type 57s which formed a basis for Bugatti competition and grand touring. Chassis arrangements included Rudge Witworth wire wheels, complex De Rams shocks absorbers, fifteen inch drum brakes and a strong, uncluttered chassis. As with most Bugattis, the Type 57 was of complicated craftsmanship, but the result of relatively simple design. The Type 57SC chassis combined the supercharged 57C engine with the low and short 57S chassis used for racing.

Chassis #57591 - The last Atlantic is the most published of the three and can probably claim to be the most original. It is instantly recognizable from its external headlights which many people feel make it the most desirable of the three. Ralph Lauren has owned this car since 1988. With a strong inclination towards important and authentic cars, Ralph includes #57591 as a highlight in his collection.
#57591 was initially purchased by R.B. Pope of London in Dark Sapphire Blue. The car still bears its EXK6 plate from its original registration in the UK. It was supercharged in 1939, before being sold to notable author Barry Price in the sixties. Eventually New York designer Ralph Lauren picked up the car from venture capitalist Tom Perkins. He commissioned Paul Russel to comprehensively restore #57591 using as many original parts as possible. During the lengthy two-year procedure, Paul and his team discovered details such as original tan goatskin upholstery and seats filled with horsehair bags wrapped in muslin. After the project was complete it was shown at the 1990 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance where it won best of show. Like many of Ralph's Bugattis the car is finished in black.

The kit

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0791.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0792.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0793.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0794.jpg

On my index finger you see a few rivets: 1000 pcs have to done by hand :yikes:

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0795.jpg

until the next update :D

Ton

Can't wait for more updates!

Here's some high resolution photos of the one located at the Peterson museum in LA

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/1936-bugatti-type-57sc-atlantic-in-detail/#photo-3347003

Yikes!!

Thanks BVC for these pictures! They show very well the great design of this car.

@corvettekid: :grinno:

Thats awesome, they don't make this kit in 1/24? Keep us updated.

Thats awesome, they don't make this kit in 1/24? Keep us updated.

Thanks! I Have seen this car in 1/43 but not in 1/24 but maybe someone else knows. There is a very nice diecast (1/18) by CMC

Ton

Those rivets in 1/43 must be very tiny!! ;)

Those rivets in 1/43 must be very tiny!! ;)

I have sleepless nights on the thought doing 1/8 rivets...let alone 1/43 :banghead:

Ton

Sure hope you have spares! If it were me I'd lose about half of them into the endless void of my carpet!

Sure hope you have spares! If it were me I'd lose about half of them into the endless void of my carpet!

about 10% :mad: I got to figure out something to reduce loss...e.g sneeze proof, inhalate proof :runaround:

Cool!!! I like custom little trinkets:) Looking forward to seeing some more parts opening. Those wheels looks awesome

Thanks Joe! Parts will not be opened :-) It is a curbside model without any extras

This is a long term project because I don't have much time and.....working with resin is not my cup of tea. So I have to tell myself frequently to work on this model .....and I know some good excuses to do not . I will show all the stages of the build because a few future builders of this model follow this thread.

The first thing I did was deepening to groove where the "comb" will be placed.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0798.jpg

The radiator needs to be lowered

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0799.jpg

Some resin needs to be removed to make it possible to lower the radiator, so it is more in line with the hood
With "green stuff" I filled the spaces.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0801.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0802.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0803.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0804.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0805.jpg

I removed the resin indicators and replaced it with a brass one. Working with resin is something I don't like: it is not very healthy so you always have to use protection ...and that is a fuzz.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0806.jpg

Dry fitting all the parts

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0807.jpg

....and the worst thing: fill all the dents etc with filler ( see all the grey spots)

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0808.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0810.jpg

After that it was time for the "combs". I soldered the first ones together to get a good grip. The tension in the brass is high.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0811.jpg

Than the rest is glued with epoxy

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0812.jpg .

I saw on the pictures of the original that the "comb" on the roof of the model was to high

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0796.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0797.jpg

I cut the upper part from the "comb" to lower it.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0813.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0814.jpg

Now it is ready for the next stage: painting which will be done by the owner.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0815.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/peperbus1/Bugatti%2057S/DSC_0816.jpg

And I will continue with the Promocom Ferrari

Amazing work so far. Can't wait to see more progress!

Amazing work so far. Can't wait to see more progress!


Thanks!