Our new Carbon Fiber body debuts at RETRO AUTO Aug. 13-15, Pebble Beach.
Inspired by the classic 1937 Type 57S, this is not a real Bugatti. It is a tribute to Ettore's son Jean.
A one-minute video of our early, unfinished 1/4 scale CNC cut model of our Bugnotti Coupe.
The model is being completed to be displayed at the Amelia Island Concours Mar. 12-14,
the LA Roadsters Swap Meet in Pomona, CA Aug. June 18-20, Palo Alto, CA Concours June
26-27, and Pebble Beach Concours RETRO AUTO Aug. 13-15. We also hope to debut our new
carbon fiber bodied "Bella Figura" Bugnotti Coupe at Pebble Beach Aug. 13-15.
Making a scale model of this nature allows you to look at the design from all angles to verify
that you approve of the shapes and proportions. Come see it for yourself!
Thanks to a dedicated effort by the 6-man team at 3G SERVICES in Taylor, MI, we were able
to fulfill our goal of presenting our carbon fiber Type 57S "BELLA FIGURA" Coupe in the
DELAHAYE USA exhibit booth at RETRO AUTO during Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
week in Monterey, CA. Reaction to the design was totally positive and reaction to the Carbon Fiber finish was overwhelming. This prototype is now back at 3G in Michigan and is being taken to the next stage.
Original Type 57S Bugatti coupe we saw at the Ville d'Este 2009 Concours at Lake Como, Italy
compared to a computer generated image of our design with optional rear dorsal fin and
open rear wheelwell (top right). A CNC cut foam scale model (lower right and left)
of our longer 127-inch wheelbase BUGNOTTI Coupe that comfortably fits two 6-foot 6-inch occupants.
DESIGN: Inspiration for our design of a stretched, modernized Type 57S BUGNOTTI came from several sources. It evolved over a one year period as described on our DECO RIDES website.
Several factors that also came into play included an illustration I found of a Gangloff bodied coupe built in the 1990's by an avid Bugatti collector from old drawings (below left). I also had the occasion to visit PAUL RUSSELL & COMPANY in Essex, MA and saw Ralph Lauren's incredibly beautiful 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Gangloff bodied Drophead Coupe (below right), which was designed by Ettore Bugatti's son Jean. The stunning Gangloff Drophead had a dramatic influence on the shape of the rear 25% of our body. We will offer customers a choice of two decklids, one with an externally mounted spare tire, and a second with a smooth decklid with a raised dorsal fin. Rear fender skirts are another option, or the rear wheelwell can be open, fully exposing the tire and wheel.
Gangloff Bodied Coupe
Gangloff Drophead Coupe
THREE BODY STYLES: Originally we intended to make a coupe, however one customer requested a removable Targa-style top. The third design that will hopefully emerge, influenced by Ralph Lauren's stunning Gangloff bodied car, is a soft-top Drophead (below). The coupe will be the first body style to be offered.
Illustration by John Caswell
Illustration by Steve Pierce
Progress at 3G SERVICES in Taylor, MI as of May 13, 2010:
Thrashing to make the full sized buck from which vacuum infusion molds will be cast so carbon fiber body
can be on display in our exhibit at RETRO AUTO at Pebble Beach just 90 days later!
Progress at 3G SERVICES in Taylor, MI as of June 30, 2010,
with team members (left to right): computer whiz Steve Wilkonski of REVOLUTION DESIGN STUDIOS,
composite guru Doug Groh of 3G, clay modeler Mike Lang, Scott Groh of 3G, and clay modeler Jeff Bumbarger.
FULL SIZED BUCK: Our initial plans called for CNC cutting a buck for the molds from high density foam. We digitized our rough rolling buck at ADVANCED VEHICLE ENGINEERING in Brighton, MI and developed the surface data from Steve Wilkonski and Leonard Hayden of REVOLUTION DESIGN STUDIOS in Royal Oak, MI. Unfortunately the costs of CNC shop time and high density foam materials were prohibitive. Consequently for budget reasons, we reverted to the hand-shaped approach and are presently preparing the full-sized finished buck with this method.
After investigating a number of top composite shops, we delivered our rough rolling buck to Doug and Scott Groh of 3G SERVICES in Taylor, Michigan. www.3gservicesinc.com They are transformimg it into a smooth, finished buck.
TOOLING: When the buck is completed, 3G SERVICES will then cast the tooling, making molds to manufacture the bodies using the state of the art vacuum infusion process.
CARBON FIBER or FIBERGLASS BODIES: We will offer bodies in three finishes. First, with a highly polished clearcoat on top of several layers of carbon fiber with additional layers of composite cloth behind that. This will be what we call the "carbon fiber appearance" as you will be able to see the weaves of the fiber. We will also offer a gel coat finish with a combination carbon fiber and composite body that can be painted the color of the customer's choice. Finally we will offer a lower cost gel coat and all composite body that can be painted the customer's color choice.
Steve Wilkonaki of REVOLUTION DESIGN STUDIOS hit the "chrome button" on his computer
to show what a body made of aluminum that was then highly polished might look like.
CHASSIS: Using our digital data, we've started the chassis design. Brent VanDervvoort of FAT MAN FABRICATIONS of Mint Hill, NC is building a chassis specifically designed for our Bugnotti. Front suspension choices will range from Bugatti-style beam axle with eliptical springs to a more modern, conventional upper and lower control arm front suspension. Chassis prices will be forthcoming shortly.
WHEN WILL IT BE AVAILABLE: We hope to debut our carbon fiber body on a FAT MAN FABRICATIONS chassis in our booth at RETRO AUTO August 13-15 at the Pebble Beach Concours in Monterey, CA.
"TURNKEY" COST: At this time we "guesstimate" delivering an alloy bodied "turnkey" Bugnotti Coupe with late model powertrain (your choie of engine), AC/PB/PS/PW, at about $450,000. A "carbon fiber appearance" bodied turnkey should be in the $250,000 range, or a painted body for approximately the same.
"KIT CAR" COST: We will offer "carbon fiber appearance bodies" in the $50,000 price range (very labor intensive to hand layup the mesh cloth). The bodies will also be offered of carbon fiber and composite compostion with a gel coat finish for $25,000, and in composite cloth with a gel coat finish for $20,000 for the build-it-yourself enthusiast.
INQUIRIES: If you would like to receive our printed brochure with pricing on Turnkey and Kit form Bugnotti bodies, if you would like to place an order, or if you have other questions, simply send an e-mail to delahayeusa@aol.com with your full postal mailing address and we will answer your inquiries and/or send you our literature.
2010 SHOW SCHEDULE
This year DELAHAYE USA will exhibit at a number of events around the country, including the following:
March 12-14
Amelia Island, FL - Concours D'elegance
June 18-20
LA Roadster Swap Meet - Pomona, California
June 26-27
Palo Alto, CA - Concours D'elegance
August 13-15
Retro Auto, Pebble Beach, CA -
Concours D'elegance
October 3
Louisville, KY - Concours D'elegance
ATTENTION: This design has a patent applied for and anyone copying or reproducing our design will be severely prosecuted by Appleton Productions.
