1934 Bugatti Type 59

[ModelcarJR]

This is a Grand Prix racer and won the Belgian GP and placed in other races in Europe in the 1930s. I bought this about 35 years ago and I thought at the time that maybe a Bugatti might have raced at Indy in the 1930s. And the price was right, although it is 1/32 scale, it was only $6.50 at the time. Unfortunately, I can't find any documentation that this car ever raced at Indy. I have been cleaning out the closet of some old kits so this one is going to get built as well. It is a very simple kit with 4 parts trees, 1 chrome, one body color, light blue, one black and one clear, plus some number decals. 

I started by using some Tamiya smoke on the chrome wire wheels that turned out pretty well. I also dechromed some engine parts and painted them. Its been raining for three days at various times so it have been hard to find a window to paint when the humidity was low but finally painted all the body parts the same color as the plastic, Tamiya Light Blue. I also painted all the other black parts and the dechromed parts. The paper covering the decals, which is not suppose to stick, actually stuck to the decals. I have managed to apply one to the radiator and get rid of the paper with some water but I don't know how the other two will come out. So, I have done some detail painting and now I think its time to assemble. Should have this one done in the next day or two. Thanks for looking! ?

[Big John]

Hi John , Bugatti did race at Indy in 1923 with several cars and best finished 6th place. They were type 30s with custom bodies and the new 8cyl engines. I think MAM makes a 1/43 scale kit.

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks for the photo, John!  Yes, I was aware of the earlier Bugattis that raced at Indy but was hoping I would see a Typthis e 59 in the 30s. Anyway, it is a interesting piece of racing history and the model is an interesting piece of model history! 

This one is done! I forgot to paint the hood belts so I will do that in the morning. No engine photos as it is not detailed and mainly just painted silver. I'll post these in "Under Glass" too. Thanks for looking! ?

 

 

[Straightliner59]

Nice! These are really cool little kits! I am planning on purchasing one of the 935 Porsches, before too awful long. 

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Daniel! I appreciate your comments! 

[Bugatti Fan]

Nice model.  I built one of these a number of years ago when it was a Matchbox kit. Still have another inbuilt kit.

AMT made your kit when the two companies had a tie in. Since then Revell have acquired the tooling.