1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Replica Project
The RABUGGI
There's a nice article about RABUGGI in the Jul/Aug '24 issue of Hagerty Drivers Club magazine.
[ Here is the on-line version. ]
A gallery of completed car images is at bottom of Glass/Finishing page.
Completed interior, carpet, & headliner images: jump to Interior Details Page.
Post completion upgrade: mahogany window trim: jump to Interior Details Page.
Post completion upgrade: horn button in wheel: jump to Systems Page.
Addendum to Headlight Saga... LED Upgrade: jump to Systems Page.
An original Bugatti Atlantic at Road America (Elkhart Lake, WI), Sept. 17, 2005 - one of two surviving *** This is not the project car. This is an original that we are striving to emulate. ***
Some stumbling around on the web led to the realization that a Chevrolet S10 pickup 2WD long bed is a very close match for the wheelbase and track dimensions of the Atlantic. This ubiquitous Chevrolet model is a very suitable chassis donor for a project car.
'36 Bugatti Type 57SC: S = "surbaissé" (lowered), C = "compresseur" (supercharged)
*Wheelbase: 117.3 in. *Track: 53.1 in. *Wheels: F 18 x 5.5 in., R 18 x 6.5 in.
Chevrolet S10 Pickup:
*short bed = 108.3 in. wb. *long bed = 117.9 in. wb. *extended cab = 122.9 in. wb.
*track, f / r (in.): '82-'93: 54.1 / 54.1 '94-'04: 54.5 / 54.6
The Concept:
[09-26-05] Use an S10 donor vehicle chassis lowered the ~3 in. required using commonly available "sport truck" drop components, with a fiberglass/polyester body and 18 in. wire wheels. The S10 radiator, engine, and transmission mounting will be relocated rearward ~33.5 in. We'll accept deviations from a true replica, such as left hand drive, modern tires, deviation as required in steering box area, and the obviously non-authentic chassis. The S10 donor four cylinder and five speed are just fine; this is not a "supercharged drag racer/hot rod" project. Interior components are to be in the spirit of the original, but not necessarily authentic replication. It is intended to be a serious copy in proportion, size, line, and form, but will not be a "concours quality" exactly correct replica. [What is a Replica? ] (pop-up)
For techies or serious RABUGGI followers only --
Here's a directory of notes, drawings, and data accumulated over the course of the project. Explore this archive of cryptically named files (mostly .PDF) at your own risk of boredom.
There's a nice article about RABUGGI in the Jul/Aug '24 issue of Hagerty Drivers Club magazine.
