Bugatti Type 59

Jean-Pierre Wimille - 1935 Belgian Grand Prix

We're excited to share with you new photographs of our Bugatti Type 59 at 1:8 scale as raced by Jean-Pierre Wimille in the Belgian Grand Prix on the 14th of July 1935 at Spa-Francorchamps. These fantastic new images really show off the beautiful pale blue French racing livery, and the extraordinary precision of this model, including the incredible detailing of the superbly engineered ‘piano-wire spoked’ wheels designed by Bugatti. A small batch of these models is currently underway in our workshops, and is anticipated to be completed in the summer. Contact our sales team to reserve your model. 

The ultimate expression of the Bugatti Grand Prix car, the Type 59 was a testament to Ettore and Jean Bugatti’s extraordinarily creative engineering talents. In an era when arguably the art of race car design was superseded by the science, the Type 59 remained competitive despite its continued use of ‘old-fashioned’ mechanics. Though often defeated by its more modern government-funded rivals, its long, low and slender bodywork and intricate design features, have earned it a very special place in Grand Prix history.

The Type 59 was not particularly successful on the track, but although its rivals Auto Union, Mercedes-Benz and Alfa Romeo had made significant innovations with independent suspension and hydraulic brakes, the Type 59 remained competitive, despite its continued use of solid axles and cable operated drum brakes. The Type 59 claimed a major 1-2 victory at Spa in the hands of René Dreyfus in 1934, whilst Jean-Pierre Wimille claimed minor Grand Prix victories at Algiers and Deauville, and Robert Benoist won in Picardy. The Type 59 remains Bugatti’s last victorious Grand Prix racer.

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