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Pocher 1931 Alfa Romeo 2300 Monza


Harry P.

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To build a Pocher that nice....you must have the patience of Job and be a glutton for punishment. Very nice work!

BTW, have you ever built one of their Bugattis? I have one on the shelf but haven't had the guts to do it.

I would love to get my hands on a Bugatti. I've built the 1907 Fiat Grand Prix car, a couple of Alfas, a couple of Mercedes, and a couple of Rolls Royces... but I've never found a Bugatti for sale for a price I'm willing to pay. I've been looking for an affordable Bugatti for years now, but so far no luck.

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  • 1 year later...

Harry,

Outstanding work sir! I'm currently working on A PAIR of these old Pocher Alfa 8c's. Have been for 25 years, on and off. I've looked at yours and will unashamedly steal some of your scratch-building ideas. I've also seen the brass one done by a guy named Doug-something in Model Motorcars Gallery. I've incorporated some of his ideas as well. And there was also another guy somewhere who showed how he sectioned the body shell to get it to sit down flush with the frame rails...used that one too. Anyway, if you have pix of the fuel lines on the underside of the car, I'd be interested in understanding their routing, once they enter the rear panel near the louvers. Any help/guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I plan to post my WIP pix when I get them reduced to a size that can be uploaded.

Cheers,

Gordon

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Sorry, Gordon, I don't have any underside photos.

This model was built a few years ago, so I don't remember specifics, but I do remember that I routed the fuel lines per the instruction book. And I also remember that I had to buy more brass rod, because I messed up on my first attempt using the kit-supplied brass rod, which breaks if you try and re-bend it. I had to buy some K&S brass rod and re-make one of the lines.

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Please do so and join my Rolls WIP here. Great to see more Pocher building and share the info.

I have been watching Jay Leno's garage videos getting myself all revved up for my Pocher builds

I really wish they had done some old Bugatti's...these are such cool cars. I am not into the modern Lambo's that Pocher is making

I love the comment on the video below where some doofus says he could "eat this" car with his Opel

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Check out bugattibuilder.com

The forum can be a hoot when these wealthy snobs start taking potshots at each other.

I was reading that last night...they were arguing over a lost/stolen type 35 that has resurfaced for auction

They sounded very snooty and condescending to each other like a bunch of Inspector Clouseaus

Do any of those guys actually own a Bugatti??

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I was reading that last night...they were arguing over a lost/stolen type 35 that has resurfaced for auction

They sounded very snooty and condescending to each other like a bunch of Inspector Clouseaus

Do any of those guys actually own a Bugatti??

Yes, some do, some restore them, some are rivet-counting dilettantes and some are research geeks like me.

Be sure to visit the historic archive by the Bugatti Trust, plus the Models section with a discussion on building the Bburago T59 kit.

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Thanks for this

It is a super read...I am hooked after the first page, have to finish my chores and a gym trip.

You are going to make me stay up past my bedtime reading about cars, again

That is a great Bugatti history article and really well written. Another reason to visit Europe and tour the museum in France.

Edited by Twokidsnosleep
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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Bravo Harry. Great work. I know the technique of using clear 5 min epoxy for lenses but I have feared that long term it will go yellowish. Obviously you do not have the same concern. What brand do you use?

Thanks for sharing.

Joe.

Edited by jaydar
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Ooooh let us see that preciousssss Build

Sorry been watching Lord of the Rings

As I said, this kit needs EVERYTHING Harry did to the Alfa.

- Body safety wires, Brooklands windscreen, proper fender struts, brake cables with bicycle chain (can't find any to scale) and steering apparatus, etc.

The kit is the Bburago 1:18 Bugatti T59 Grand Prix racer (measurements against original T59 blueprints show it to actually be 1:15), with a metal body that needs a lot of work, but otherwise is quite good.

bugatti59kit.png

The actual I car I want to build is this one before it was restored to its original Grand Prix state:

T59clarkepostcard.png

This requires a donor car of the built Bburago version with fenders.

Bburagobugatti.png

The only thing that delayed me from proceeding was the lack of the signature piano wire wheels. I found a guy in Italy who made excellent wheels specifiaclly for this kit, which I got, but after talking to him a week ago he said he's no longer making them. Therefore, they'll have to be scratch built from now on. It also came with a metal front axle with the proper positive camber (narrower tire spacing at the bottom than at the top). Aftermarket wheel:

t591222copy.jpg

The kit has a very weird top hinge deal on the hood. I wish I could find a vacuform service to copy the body so I could open the louvers.

Edited by sjordan2
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Drool drool

The last pic of the black one is amazing

That was built by the guy who created the wheels and other 59 kit parts. It's a recreation of the one in Ralph Lauren's collection.

EDIT: Note that the wires on the wheels are not weight-bearing The wheels are really solid discs in the back over the brake drums, with a cogwheel design that mates to cogs on the rims. The wires are only tensioners to keep the wheel working with the proper tightness.

Edited by sjordan2
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  • 4 weeks later...

Bravo Harry. Great work. I know the technique of using clear 5 min epoxy for lenses but I have feared that long term it will go yellowish. Obviously you do not have the same concern. What brand do you use?

Thanks for sharing.

Joe.

Sorry for the huge delay in answering you. I honestly don't remember the brand... I probably just grabbed whatever 5-minute epoxy I saw on the shelf. So far it's still clear. ;)

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great job and love the paint not overly done. a mirror finish is for show cars only, nothing factory. ;-)

Agreed 100%. That "dipped in syrup" look might work for a show car, but looks ridiculous on a factory car, especially one from back in the day.

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