Bugatti at its Brilliant Best

Filed under: Classic News,Product Reviews |
    Bugatti at its Brilliant BestVeloce have again teamed up with author Barrie Price to produce a really fantastic, in depth look at the Type 57 in all its guises; a machine that Malcolm Campbell himself classified as the best all round super sports car he had enjoyed. From 1934 until the outbreak of WW2 the Type 57 offered many variants from luxury tourer to Grand Prix racer, all are included in this homage to one of Bugatti’s bestselling machines. Engineering excellence and the sheer beauty of coachbuilders creations can be admired as a collection of superb images from the late 1930s fill every page. Whilst the factory still chased GP success with the Type 59 the pre-war period was dominated by the huge state backed entries from Mercedes and Auto Union. Post war and the first motor race to take place was the GP du Bois de Boulogne in Paris which the pre-war Type 59 won. 1937 and again in 1939 saw the Type 57C Tank win the Le Mans 24 hours and the books coverage and images of the event are amazing. The 57 with the Atalante body is surely one of the finest looking cars ever constructed. A styling revelation from Jean Bugatti, the eldest son of Ettore; incredible considering he was only in his mid-twenties at the time and it would be testing the 57C Tank that would take his young life at just 30. One most interesting page gives details of the UK based Bugatti Trust in Gloucestershire and the home of the Prescott hill climb. The author has donated the royalties from the book to the trust and is a trustee himself; this has planted the seed in my head for a definite visit and a must for any lover of the Bugatti marque. To conclude ‘The Last French Bugatti, Type 57’ is not only  an informative and detailed read but the collection of black and white period photos will surprise and delight all followers of a time when engineering and style came together in perfect harmony.   Bugatti 57-The Last French Bugatti by Barrie Price   The concise history of Bugatti type 57, 57S, 64 & 101   Featuring over 300 superb images/ Hardback with 240 pages    £45.00   ISBN 978-1-845848-71-2 / UPC 6-36847-04871-6   Veloce Publishing Ltd -  www.veloce.co.uk  Tags: