Bugatti Atlantic "Heresy"

[ea0863]

I was laid up recently with an inner ear problem, and being in between major builds, decided to put something together from my junk bin. What came out is quite possibly the most fun build I've done in years. I grabbed a 1/24th scale Bburago Bugatti Atlantic out of my son's old toys, and decided to re-envision it as a hot rod. Obviously, the fenders had to be ripped out, the rears had to have massive tires (in this case from a 1/18th scale Bburago Lamborghini Diablo - again from the toy bin), and matching 1/24th scale Welly Lamborghini Diablo rims went up front - albeit with the original Atlantic tires for stance. The interior was left fairly stock, but with tinted windows all around. The engine was already a "compresseur", but the dainty side unit was yanked in favor of a custom intake with top mounted blower (still powered from the aft end of the engine). Then, the piece-de-resistance came in the form of exhaust pipes (made from soldering wire), and a bespoke boom tube to complement the side profile. I think I spent 10 hours on the exhaust, but I got to try a bunch of techniques I had never done before, so it was a lot of fun.

When my wife asked what I was working on, I showed it to her and told her that it would probably be considered heresy by both car lovers in general, and model builders in particular - since I was not only conceptually tearing up a priceless car, but building a model on the bones of what is essentially a toy. She shrugged and said, "at least you've got a good name for a car - 'heresy' sounds cool". Therefore, I now present you with "Heresy":

Edited March 8, 2022 by ea0863

[bisc63]

That thing is just FUNKY KOOL. I love everything about it! What a blast!

[Zippi]

That's one nasty looking Bugatti.  Really sharp looking.  Well done.

[ea0863]

I've never wired an engine before, so I think I used a slightly too thick wire. Oh well, live and learn. I am going to send a few pics to Ralph Lauren though and see if he wants to do his Atlantic the same way  For others looking for similar inspiration, here are a few photos I found online along these lines:

[Bainford]

This is cool. What a fun build. In the context of a 1:1 Bugatti, this thing is so absurd is makes me smile. The Bug body actually makes great hot rod fodder. The lines look good.  Really digging the blown inline 8. Thanks for posting.

Edited March 8, 2022 by Bainford

[happy grumpy]

Really nice and interesting project. Beautiful engine. I like the heat effect on the exhaust pipes.

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Emre!

Well, this is unique and refreshing. Should-we call you Dr. Frankenstein from now on? Bravo!

CT

[ea0863]

1 hour ago, happy grumpy said:

Really nice and interesting project. Beautiful engine. I like the heat effect on the exhaust pipes.

It's actually one of those "new" things I learned on this site. Nothing fancy; just some blue paint up by the engine, followed by a thin line of stop light red, then turn signal amber. A little dab of thinner to swish them around into each other, and voila.

[ea0863]

1 hour ago, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi Emre!

Well, this is unique and refreshing. Should-we call you Dr. Frankenstein from now on? Bravo!

CT

I have a fairly extensive diecast car collection, and for years I just collected those. However, there is a different kind of satisfaction out of building something on your own - especially something that is unique. Therefore, it would appear "Dr. Frankenstein" is apropos

[ea0863]

1 hour ago, Bainford said:

This is cool. What a fun build. In the context of a 1:1 Bugatti, this thing is so absurd is makes me smile. The Bug body actually makes great hot rod fodder. The lines look good.  Really digging the blown inline 8. Thanks for posting.

I actually had a blown Lincoln V-12 I was thinking of using, but the inline 8 is just such a pretty engine that I decided to stick with it. I believe the way I plumbed it would actually work. The only thing I'm not sure of is whether that blower can be driven from the rear as mine is.

[espo]

Great looking concept. Would be fun to drive into Pebble Beach during the show just to see the people pass out.  

[Koellefornia Kid]

I wouldn't have thought that a Bugatti will make such a great hot rod! Very cool! But I'm afraid Ettore´s ghost will haunt you for the rest of your life...?

[PappyD340]

Man that's a BITCHIN ride!

[ea0863]

6 hours ago, espo said:

Great looking concept. Would be fun to drive into Pebble Beach during the show just to see the people pass out.  

LOL!

 

[espo]

20 hours ago, ea0863 said:

LOL!

 

Love it. 

[KWT]

Well that's different! Very nicely done.

[Jantrix]

Heresy. I dig it. That digital pic would have inspired me too. I've got one of the Johan Mercedes roadsters and I've been super tempted to do something similar.

[ea0863]

Oooh, then you could call yours "Blitzkrieg"!

[Lobo2me]

Nasty...as in nasty cool! Well done!

[ea0863]

17 minutes ago, Lobo2me said:

Nasty...as in nasty cool! Well done!

Thank you, "nasty" was what I was shooting for

[ea0863]

On 3/11/2022 at 5:32 PM, Jantrix said:

Heresy. I dig it. That digital pic would have inspired me too. I've got one of the Johan Mercedes roadsters and I've been super tempted to do something similar.

Oooh, then you could call yours "Blitzkrieg"

[NOBLNG]

Nicely done. You have a great imagination and the skills to bring it to fruition.?

[Bugatti Fan]

Emre, I cannot see Ralph Lauren going for it somehow!

But what the heck! In model form it's nice to build a completely off the wall fun project for a change.

Nice model. There are plenty of those old Burago Atlantics about to have a bit of fun with by placing stuff on it out of the spares box.

[slusher]

Outstanding,

[Oldcarfan27]

On 3/7/2022 at 6:53 PM, Claude Thibodeau said:

Should-we call you Dr. Frankenstein from now on?

No, It's Fronkensteen!