FRANKLIN MINT BUGATTI TYPE 57 SC ATALANTE 1936 RED/BLACK 1:24 DIECAST BOXED 1991

Superb condition, boxed model made in 1991. Hand assembled and hand finished from over 100 separate components. Fantastic detailing and functions, gently cleaned and thoroughly examined with no advisories to report.

Length: 19cm

Width: 7cm

Height: 6cm

Weight: 420g

Weight with original packaging: 569g

Beautiful two-tone red and black paintwork, chrome plated plated radiator surround, radiator cap, headlight rings, door handles, windscreen surround, windscreen wipers, rear wing stone guards, side indicator housings on the rear roof pillars, rear fuel cap, light surrounds and licence plate holder/light. Clear glazed headlights, painted side lights and tail lights, silver bonnet latches and handles, stainless steel bonnet hinge, red Bugatti radiator badge, black fine mesh radiator grille, red fine mesh engine side panel vents, rear-mounted spare wheel, silver quad exhausts, hinged luggage lid with grey carpeted lining, clear glazed windscreen and rear windows.

The bonnet is centrally hinged with folding engine covers on each side revealing a superbly detailed silver, chrome and black 3.3 litre, straight-8, supercharged engine with orange ignition lead detailing.

The doors open (rear hinged), revealing a beige carpeted floor, light tan soft-touch seats with silver handles, matching door cards with chrome door handles and window winders. There is a real wood veneer dashboard with silver on black instrument dials, chrome gear lever, steering column and switches, functional 4-spoke steering wheel in chrome with wood-effect rim that steers the front wheels and chrome pedals.

Underneath is a richly detailed chassis and drivetrain in gloss black and silver with matte black floor and intact Franklin Mint tag.

The model comes with its original specially moulded white polystyrene protective case and card box.

The Bugatti Type 57 and later variants (including the famous Atlantic and Atalante) was a grand tourer built from 1934 through 1940. It was an entirely new design created by Jean Bugatti, son of founder Ettore. A total of 710 Type 57s were produced.

Type 57s used a straight-8 twin-cam engine of 3.3 L (3257 cc/198 in³) displacement. Bore and stroke were 72 mm by 100 mm based on that of the Type 49 but heavily modified by Jean Bugatti, unlike the single cam engines of the Type 49 and earlier models. The engines of the Type 50, 51 used bevel gears at the front of the engine to transmit power from the crankshaft, whereas the Type 57 used a train of spur gears at the rear of the engine, with fiber gear wheels on the camshafts to achieve more silence in operation.

There were two basic variants of the Type 57 car:

The original Type 57

The lowered Type 57S/SC

The Type 57S/SC variants are some of the most iconic Bugatti cars. The "S" stood for "Surbaissé" ("Lowered") and the "C" for "Compresseur" (a supercharger introduced by Bugatti as a result of customers' desire for increased power). It included a V-shaped dip at the bottom of the radiator and mesh grilles on either side of the engine compartment.

Lowering the car was a major undertaking. The rear axle now passed through the rear frame rather than riding under it, and a dry-sump lubrication system was required to fit the engine under the new low hood. The 57S had a nearly-independent suspension in front, though Ettore despised that notion.

Just 43 "Surbaissé" cars and only two supercharged Type 57SC's were originally manufactured. But most 57S owners wanted the additional power afforded by the blower. Therefore, most of the original Type 57S cars returned to Molsheim for the installation of a supercharger, pushing output from 170 hp (125 kW) to 200 hp (147 kW) and top speed from 125 mph (201 km/h) to 135 mph (217 km/h).

Dimensions:

Wheelbase: 2,979 mm (117 in)

Track: 1,349 mm (53 in)

Weight: 950 kg (2,090 lb)

Type 57SC Atalante

The Atalante was a two-door coupé body style similar to and built after the Atlantic, both built on the 57S chassis, but with a single-piece windscreen and no fin. The name "Atalante" was derived from a heroine of Greek mythology, Atalanta. Only 17 Atalante cars were made, four of which reside in the Cité de l'Automobile Museum in Mulhouse, France (formerly known as the Musée National de L'Automobile de Mulhouse).

One Atalante, chassis number 57784, a 3-seater vehicle version with aluminium bodywork made by Vanvooren of the iconic Bugatti Type 57S model, resides in the Museu do Caramulo in Caramulo, Portugal. Vanvooren would do two more bodies alike, one (Chassis 57808) for the French government, who gave it, in 1939, as a marriage gift for Prince Mohammad Reza and Princess Fawzia, and another one (Chassis 57749). These two cars are in private collections in the United States.

🚛+🛵+✈️+🏎️=1x📦 Combined shipping is available for all items (even if you’re not in the UK). Please add each item to your 🛒 basket or request an invoice before paying. If Ebay’s Global Shipping Programme is trying to charge you shipping per item, I can create a unique listing from you with all your items combined. For offers with instant payment on acceptance, any overpaid postage will be refunded. Items will be carefully and safely packed for shipping ensuring that the box and its contents are well protected.