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Baby Bugatti Part 2

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The car that started it all. Roland Bugatti in the first Baby Bugatti next to bigger brother Jean in a Type 43. The photo appeared in many newspapers and created a demand for the Baby Bugatti. Courtesy Bugatti Trust

Read Part I.
 In Part II, the mystery of “The Type That Never Was” deepens. Our intrepid model builder also tells us about chassis numbers, specs, and how to buy a Baby Bugatti.

By Marshall Buck

The very first Baby Bugatti was built for Roland Bugatti, Ettore’s five year old son. Proof again that it’s good to be born with a “silver spoon” or in Roland’s case, more like a silver steering wheel. The Baby made its public debut at the 1927 Milan Automobile show, and was priced at 3,900 FF, which seems to be the price most were sold for, though some were delivered at higher prices.

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Recent Comments from our Readers

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Ford v Ferrari

(Photo copyright Merrick Morton, 20th Century Fox)

Ford v Ferrari is a fantastic old fashion movie movie, well written, well directed and cut, wonderful cast, nice relationships and just enough “truth” to suggest the major themes. You want great entertainment in a movie, do not miss FvF. It’s no documentary, but it’s a great ride – for anyone. You want history, the real rather than reel story? Read a book. I could make a suggestion? (Twice Around the Clock, Yanks at Le Mans https://www.yanksatlemans.com/about.html, per the Editor)
Tim Considine

That was an excellent review for which, thanks. I think I agree in large or small part with each of the comments too. Overall, I enjoyed it as a movie (it’s arrived here in Australia), but wearied of so many clank/bang downshifts and malevolent Bandini portrayal. Pity the Shelby character wasn’t half a foot taller but he did the job well. An era of great style and bravery, wasn’t it!
John Waterhouse [Read more…] about Recent Comments from our Readers

Baby Bugattis and the T52 Mystery

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British Speed King Donald Campbell practices his craft in his Baby Bugatti. Campbell would set many speed records both on land and water but died in a speed boat record attempt in 1967. His father Malcolm, also a Land Speed Record holder, assists. Photo courtesy the Bugatti Trust.

From the VeloceToday Archives, March, 2011

Part I

By Marshall Buck

I can’t believe that the answer has been in front of me all these years. The answer to what you ask? The answer to the question I often ask myself: How am I ever going to afford a genuine vintage Bugatti? Simple answer…buy a ‘Baby’ Bugatti; a child’s car to be precise. I’m not talking about one of those cheapy Toys R Us plastic jobs. No sir, the one I have in mind is very special….one of the authentic half scale renditions of a Type 35.

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1957 Ferrari Transporter in 1/18 and 1/43 Scale

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1957 Fiat 642 RN2, Bartoletti, Ferrari Race Car Transporter by CMC.

What our readers said about this article, first published on November 30, 2011.

Roberto Prescelli: What can I say but GREAT
Nigel Miller: A ‘Transport of Delight’ – what an absolute stunner!
Paul Evans: Stunning, just stunning
Paul Turney: A truly wonderful model,looks like one can jump in and drive off!
Kenny Lombino: I had pre-ordered it over a year ago. I am happy to say it is on a UPS truck to me as I write this along with three CMC racing Ferraris to place on or around the transporter.
Jeff Downer : Extraordinary! Looks nicer than the real one they had at Monterey. Well done.
F. Biba: I can only hope that CMC doesn’t make a model for Alfa Romeo’s transporter. Off hand I can’t think what it looked like, but I’d have to get one in any event. And, geeze, three Alfa Formula 1 cars.
H. Almazan: Is there a way the transport comes in a model form so I could build it, I have been building models for over 25 years and enjoys the Revival models kit and would like to build a transport car.

Story and photos by Marshall Buck

I’m not sure exactly what it is, but there is something hypnotically attractive about vintage racing car transporters. I’m talking about the kind from the 1930s through the 1960s. Just like the rare competition cars they carry, old race transporters draw crowds anywhere they park. Especially the vintage European kind, of which there have been so very many types, configurations, and manufacturers of. Numerous magazine articles have been written, and even a couple of books have been published on them.

Old race transporters appear to be one of the next phases of collector vehicles within the vintage race car community. They are the “in” thing, and they are very cool. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if someday in the future, you find a special showing of these at one of the premier concours. Stranger things have happened.

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Maserati 300S, 1:18th Scale

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By Marshall Buck

A review of 1:18 scale Maserati 300S models from CMC, and thanks to Walter Bäumer’s great (big) book for helping in research on these racers.

From 1955 through 1958, Maserati produced a total of twenty-six of the wonderfully balanced 300S sports racers. Sir Stirling Moss once wrote that the 300S was “…..one of the easiest, nicest, best balanced sports-racing cars ever made….” and he should certainly know. I’ll add my two cents worth…… it was, and is still one of the prettiest as well. Within the entire production there were three notable body styles, each featuring numerous detail differences.
1- First series cars, short nose, and shortest body.
2- Interim series, semi-long nose, with a slightly longer rear. Fewest cars made with this body.
3- Long nose, and long rear end.

[Read more…] about Maserati 300S, 1:18th Scale

Marshall Buck Reviews a Tamiya Ferrari 288GTO

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Ferrari 288GTO

Ferrari built 272 examples of the real thing. Tamiya built this one…

Review and photos by Marshall Buck

To my eye, the 1984-86 Ferrari 288 GTO is one of the most beautiful modern sports car designs ever penned. Though it was based on another great design, the new for ’84 GTO was once again perfection from the house of Pininfarina.

I am more of vintage car guy; my main interest is sports and classic cars from the 1930’s through about 1970, but this one rings every bell for me, as does the beautiful 1:12 scale model.

The 288 GTO was designed and built specifically to compete in a new Group B racing series. At that time the requirements for this particular series were that a manufacturer must produce a minimum of 200 cars for homologation.

“Best laid plans…….” Unfortunately the new Group B series was abandoned before it ever got on the track since only Ferrari and Porsche built cars for the series. None of the 272 cars which Ferrari built were ever raced; they all remained road cars…… very fast and scary road cars at that. Most were sold in Europe as they were not certified for sale in the USA, though there were many that were imported and federalized by specialists such as Amerispec.

Scary fast…… The 288 had the power to back up its looks. The heart in each one was a mid mounted V-8 with twin IHI turbochargers. Top speed in Europe was an eye watering 189 mph. Here in the US the top end was reduced to somewhere around a mere 175 mph.

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1957 Ferrari Transporter in 1/18 Scale

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Ferrari transporter

Ferrari's means of getting to the track in the 1960s.

Story and photos by Marshall Buck

I’m not sure exactly what it is, but there is something hypnotically attractive about vintage racing car transporters. I’m talking about the kind from the 1930s through the 1960s. Just like the rare competition cars they carry, old race transporters draw crowds anywhere they park. Especially the vintage European kind, of which there have been so very many types, configurations, and manufacturers of. Numerous magazine articles have been written, and even a couple of books have been published on them.

Ferrari Transporter

Big pencil, even bigger model!

Old race transporters appear to be one of the next phases of collector vehicles within the Vintage race car community. They are the “in” thing, and they are very cool. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if someday in the future, you find a special showing of these at one of the premier concours. Stranger things have happened.

Imposing rear view, and gives just a hint of extensive and complete underside detail.

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Ettore’s Baby Bugatti Part I: A Free Premium Feature!

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This week we are pleased to welcome Marshall Buck to VeloceToday. I first came upon Marshall when we were both contributing to Ford Heacock’s Vintage Motorsport magazine in the 1980s. Marshall is a lifelong car enthusiast who parlayed his interest in cars into a highly successful business of producing high end models for some of the most noteworthy collectors in the field. One day, Marshall emailed VeloceToday, one thing lead to another and we asked him to do an article on a subject dear to both of us, the Baby Bugatti. Oh, yes, the Baby, and as Marshall found out, don’t ever call it the Type 52…

Part I

By Marshall Buck

I can’t believe that the answer has been in front of me all these years. The answer to what you ask? The answer to the question I often ask myself: How am I ever going to afford a genuine vintage Bugatti? Simple answer…buy a ‘Baby’ Bugatti; a child’s car to be precise. I’m not talking about one of those cheapy Toys R Us plastic jobs. No sir, the one I have in mind is very special….one of the authentic half scale renditions of a Type 35. [Read more…] about Ettore’s Baby Bugatti Part I: A Free Premium Feature!

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