Beschreibung:

This remarkable car in the style of the legendary 'Jean Bugatti Roadster' is a replica in the true meaning of the word - a matching reproduction, in effect a 1-to-1 scale full-sized working model - of the original classical French marque's arguably most famous sportscar. It may be described as being accurate down to the smallest detail achievable today, using, wherever possible, the correct materials, dimensions and even correct Bugatti-type nuts and bolts. What elevates it greatly above the common perception of the 'replica' vintage or historic car is the vital fact that it incorporates a considerable number of genuine Bugatti items, such as the all-important front axle - which is stamped '186' - the radiator, Scintilla magneto, Scintilla starter, Scintilla generator and the dashboard-dominating starter/light switch. The car's engine has been assembled around a new original-design crankcase, roller-bearing crankshaft and connecting rod assembly by the celebrated British specialists in this field - Brineton Engineering - while also featuring original Bugatti cylinder blocks and incorporating a variety of further as-original components re-manufactured by other leading British suppliers, many for the Bugatti Owners' Club. The supercharger features original twin lobes operating within a newly-cast and machined casing, while the carburettor is one of the Crosthwaite & Gardiner company's exact replicas of the original instrument. In authentic Molsheim factory style, the engine has been hand-scraped to the original pattern and the engine-bay bulkhead is engine-turned. The gearbox is to the correct pattern, unique to the Bugatti Type 55, as is the clutch housing while the clutch plates themselves are of the modern dry type. Modern universal joints are used for the prop-shaft in the interests of smoothness and reliability, but could be replaced by original fabric joints. Coachwork of this remarkably attractive and convincing reproduction has been executed in aluminium to the correct Jean Bugatti scallop design and finished in the classical Type 55's most startling livery of black and yellow. Even the dashboard is to the original layout with new instruments and original Scintilla components. Further genuine components of Molsheim factory origin are the rear axle trumpets, carefully modified to Type 55 form from their original touring type, while the road wheels are modern-cast and finished to original pattern. Even the brakes are of original type. The British Bugatti Owners' Club has allocated chassis plate serial number 'BC 92' to the car, while the chassis frame - a replica by American specialist Ray Jones - has been stamped '55' at the front for licensing purposes. The engine is similarly stamped upon the engine bearer for licensing purposes. Completed in 1995, the car was acquired in freshly restored condition by its present UK-collector owner - a VSCC and Bugatti Trust member - at Brooks' Sale at The Goodwood Festival of Speed in June 1997. While forming part of its owner's private collection the car has been used sparingly and is offered benefiting from shakedown mileage under its wheels and running well. An absent speedometer drive is the only listed 'fault'. The vehicle comes with current road fund licence/MoT, Swansea V5 registration document and VSCC 'Buff Form'. This is altogether an extraordinary car - an impressive celebration of what was perhaps Bugatti's finest and most widely coveted high-performance sporting model. Hence our preference for the word 'reproduction' rather than 'replica', for this magnificent machine is honestly presented despite incorporating at least as many perfectly genuine components as some sister cars whose proponents claim them to be 'real'