For several years we have been developing the dies and tooling to allow us to manufacture brass replica Type 57 Bugatti grille shells, steel grilles, and grille inserts. These are high quality, faithful copies of the original.
     The grilles and shells shown in these pictures are the first and second ones we created. The first shell was shortened (chopped) four inches because it is fitted to one of our low profile DECO RIDES Boattail Speedsters, a car that we named The BUGNOTTI, which is pictured elsewhere on this website. The bottom portion of the shell is obscured because we fabricated a steel body panel between the fenders to cover the steering rack. This car will be auctioned Sept. 17, 2009 in Scottsdale, AZ at the GOODING & Co. sale.
     In addition to the shorter height, this first grille and shell has a number of inaccuracies. In recent years we have spent a considerable amount of additional investment upgrading our dies so the Type 57 grille shells we now make (see photos of standard height Grille and Shell) are markedly better than our first effort. Massachusetts Craftsman Paul Gamache, who specializes in stainless and brass, has improved our dies and tooling and is now fabricating our brass shells.     
     We are presently building two Type 57 shells and grilles that are the correct dimensions to duplicate an original Type 57 grille for several projects we are working on (the "Shah of NJ" BUGATTI and a fastback BUGATTI sedan with a back seat).
     As you can see from the photos, the shutters open and close. The first shell had the incorrect number of shutters and they opened from the wrong side. This has been corrected on subsequent shells. Cost of our Type 57 grille shell is estimated at $5,500 unplated. The cost of the shutters and grille inserts are available upon inquiry. We were working on Type 57S BUGATTI steel reproduction grille shells and grilles, but until we receive units of sufficient high quality, we are not yet ready to offer these for sale.