Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic - Model Car

Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic
Production: 1936-1938
Designer: Jean Bugatti
Top speed: 120-130 miles per hour
Model car producer: CMC

I was looking for an object to complement my Art Nouveau and mid-century ceramic-filled decor and thought an early 20th Century car might do the trick. I binge-learned about diecast and resin-based model cars and became enthralled with the craftsmanship and beauty of the higher-end replicas. Also, learning the history of the vehicles, such as the notable people that owned them or their victories and failures at the race track, is a bonus to the entire experience.

My first purchase was a 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK (see my other post) and then this Bugatti (first three photos), both produced by model maker CMC. It is 1:18 scale, which is approximately 10" long. It is comprised of 1,700+ parts and was hand assembled. There are numerous components that can be manipulated. For example, the steering wheel turns the wheels, the spare tire is hidden by a cover in the back of the car and can be removed, and the hood opens to reveal a detailed engine.

Bugatti sold only three of the hand-crafted Atlantic cars to customers. In 1936, Bugatti built the first model for British banker Victor Rothschild. The third car built was delivered to Frenchman Jacques Holzschuh. The second owner of that car, a collector, died in an accident on a railway crossing. The Bugatti was completely destroyed. Decades afterwards, it was the subject of a complex restoration, although the engine could not be saved. Fashion designer Ralph Lauren (fourth photo) is the owner of the last Atlantic produced.

Jean Bugatti had the second Atlantic made for himself. Only he or a few selected friends, mainly Bugatti racing drivers, had the honor of sitting behind the large steering wheel of the coupé. Bugatti used “La Voiture Noire” (the black car) as a model for photos in brochures and a demonstration car for international motor shows. In contrast to the other models, there is no trace of this car after 1938. It is not quite clear whether Jean Bugatti sold the car to a racing driver among his friends or whether it was moved to a safer region of France when the German army invaded Alsace, which is more probable. The second Atlantic built has not been found to this day. Its disappearance is one of the great mysteries in the history of the automobile. Experts estimate the value of the Atlantic at more than $100 million – if it ever appears again.

This video includes archival footage of the vehicle in motion and a presentation of the first built Atlantic, which is in a museum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vk16a8Cp1A

This is an interesting video of CMC's story and production process: https://www.cmc-modelcars.de/en/news-category/cmc-modelcars-image-film-de/