T41 Bugatti sport coupe

[Ace-Garageguy]

Just...wow.

[Pierre Rivard]

Absolutely gorgeous work. The dash and gauges are amazing.

On a side note I see you are using a little bit of putty on the fenders. Now that's something I can relate to! ?

[1959scudetto]

Charlie - this is for me kind of extraterrestrial model building - in the class of Antonietti/Bossac or Wingrove - working with metal like the Italian carozziere of the 50/60's or the French coachbuilders of the 30's. (I'm already happy when I can handle styrene and putty for achieving acceptable results)

Edited September 13, 2024 by 1959scudetto

[AmericanMuscleFan]

What are we going to do with you Charlie?  You never cease to impress me, there is always something to learn and make people drool when we visit your threads.

It's been a long time so I have excess saliva... I have to go take a shower! ?

Difficult to comment, I am in awe of absolutely everything I see! ?

[charlie libby]

hi francis so glad to hear from you. bill glad you stopped in. hi pierre good to hear from you again. helmut thank you for the kind words.  i have worked some on the interior , wood on the doors line up with the dash. the leather is very thin book binding leather which was a suggest from one of you guys on my last car. the front suspension and front crossmember are getting close . some finish work to do,sand and file. i lined up the front fenders and clamped them to make sure the front suspension is where it needs to be before soldering the crossmember in place. getting the rearend ready to temporarily install and do the same. the rear bolts in and its been in before but not with the fenders installed i dont think. maybe next week i can sandblast the body and get it in primer.to many things left to do. thanks again for your comments they are greatly appreciated.

[BK9300]

Just outstanding dedication to, and achievement in, your craft.  Beautiful to see coming together!

[Bugatti Fan]

This is what I like to see. Properly engineered scale models in metal !

I find it very interesting to see how solutions are found for making and building models like this. Cars must be one of the most difficult subjects to emulate in miniature. Seeing each of the sub assemblies ad their individual component parts   being made is fascinating. Those wheels with the radial spoke arrangement like the T59 are something to behold and from experience quite difficult to make.

This long term project is one that I have been following with real interest as it takes shape.

Edited October 1, 2024 by Bugatti Fan

[charlie libby]

sorry i have been busy. for 2 .5 weeks i have been a pole deputy until tuesday when voting ended, i am glad thats done. i got a little bit done ,not much. worked on the gas and brake pedals and the fuel injection hoses. i had to machine the fittings and the mechanical pump. only about 1000 more pieces to make. i started making door handles today, i have not figured out the door latches yet.got the glass cut but i have to put some curve in the front and rear. a very small amount. i found on my last project the water temp. from the coffee maker is the perfect temp to curve 1/16 lexan. i will be back at again , more pictures to come. Noel nice to hear from you again thank you. thanks for the nice comments Brian

[absmiami]

Not to mention 3 cat III  tornadoes ….

[charlie libby]

Yep

[BK9300]

Astonishing handiwork - just a marvel to check in on from time to time and incredible detail to go over each time

[Brudda]

This has to be the best model in the world. It is fantastic. The model is like Rolex. Just perfect. Super skills , great job and a very beautiful subject. I have a lot to learn. 

[charlie libby]

thank you for visiting and your kind comments. i have been working on some of the body details. i keep finding more and more parts to be made. here is a few of the small pieces. i am not sure what is next to be made.i have the steering column made but i need to mount it. brake pedals and gas pedal are mounted. i will probably go back to the upholstery again for awhile. cant wait to assemble the entire car and make sure it all goes together and then take it back apart for paint. thanks for looking.

[BK9300]

A pleasure to watch all this unfold.

[MarkJ]

So glad you are doing a wip on this. If you had just posted the final photos nobody would know that you created this whole work of art from metal and metal working tools. Nothing came from a kit or other makers of parts. Its all you. That has to be very gratifying.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

You never cease to impress Charlie, your imagination seems endless and your prowess tends to prove it.

I am in awe every time I visit, you are a true magician my friend! 👌

[absmiami]

The good stuff …

[Straightliner59]

There are no words. This is absolutely next-level work! There's nothing not to love, here.

[charlie libby]

work continues, had to make an air cleaner that fit under the hood. got the driveshaft done, now to make the u  joint's. not alot of parts left to make. need to make a fuel tank. brake lines and some wiring . got to mount the steering wheel and plan the dashboard mounting. keep preping the body in between parts. its getting closer. i do have an issue with the nose. after its attached to body i cant install the body on the frame , i will figure out. I'm with you daniel , just wierd stuff in my brain, wait till you see the crazy one thats next. hi andrew,nice to hear from you.francis glad you are back at it. thanks for looking mark,come back again. thank you brian

[MarkJ]

OK, Charlie. You have gone to an all-new level of unbelievableness , if that is even a word, with these latest photos of the engine and primered body parts. I'm sitting here stunned looking at this creation before me.  The engine already looks like you will be able to crank it up and it will run at full song. Wouldn't that be a beautiful sound?

[Pierre Rivard]

Looking good Mr. Libby. Primer day is always a big event. Make up the list of areas needing some surface finessing but mostly start envisioning beautiful color and shine. The home stretch.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

It's hard to believe that all those pieces of hammered brass created such a beautiful bodywork, a labor of love of dedication and craftsmanship.

You have all my respect and admiration Charlie! 👌🤤

[Codi]

I have to add that this thread has been a pure "giggle" to watch.  Always something to smile and wonder at.  The body is sublime and the little details captured (the welds on the driveshaft as but one example) all coming together to make an amazing one of a kind build.  Cheers to you Charlie, tim

[Brudda]

These guys are right. Words like incredible, fantastic come to mind but if there is a word beyond that, that would be the word. This is totally beautiful. Great job sir. 

[charlie libby]

just a quick update. i have been working on the interior as well as the exterior. got the inside about 80 % done. just got some final trimming and glueing of the leather. still haven't mounted the steering  wheel. just alot of details left and paint. thank you all for your nice comments and hope you all had a great christmas