Another exact replica of a Bugatti classic: The Bugatti Type 57 G Le Mans racing car known as “the tank”. In 1937, this vehicle was used to win the overall victory in the endurance classic category at the Bugatti Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France. Unfortunately, we only had a small number pictures and a few dimensional specifications at our disposal which we could then use as a basis to create the replica.

Another distinctive feature about this racing car was the fact that it didn’t have a shaping wooden substructure, as was normally the case with cars in the 1930s. To create the outer body shape, a complete wood framework model thus had to be created first of all so we could then finally attach the aluminium sheets. Once the inner aluminium structure – which acts as the load-bearing element between the frame and the body – was complete, we could lay the outer shell over it and connect the two elements. After producing additional components like wind deflector, the tank’s interior fittings and so on, we painted the vehicle in the original two-colour finish, as would have been customary for 1930s vehicles on the race track.