Cars of your youth
Discussion
phazed said:
oscrim said:
Two vauxhall corsa...
Wrote one off and managed to find the next one registered in the hope my parents wouldn't notice the difference
To this day I still believe I shouldn't have been to blame... But lesson learnt to be more cautious of other drivers abilities as well as my own.
Then an astra
Now a chim 400!
How the hell did you find the second one?!
Wrote one off and managed to find the next one registered in the hope my parents wouldn't notice the difference
To this day I still believe I shouldn't have been to blame... But lesson learnt to be more cautious of other drivers abilities as well as my own.Then an astra
Now a chim 400!
phazed said:
How the hell did you find the second one?!
Complete luck to be honest. Started looking into the same model again and the other just happened to pop up, not too far away and at a cheap price. I jumped at the chance. Stripped the old one of any good bits and ended up with a nicely sorted corsa (as nice as one can be).QBee said:
phazed said:
oscrim said:
Two vauxhall corsa...
Wrote one off and managed to find the next one registered in the hope my parents wouldn't notice the difference To this day I still believe I shouldn't have been to blame... But lesson learnt to be more cautious of other drivers abilities as well as my own.
Then an astra
Now a chim 400!
How the hell did you find the second one?!Wrote one off and managed to find the next one registered in the hope my parents wouldn't notice the difference
To this day I still believe I shouldn't have been to blame... But lesson learnt to be more cautious of other drivers abilities as well as my own.Then an astra
Now a chim 400!
TV8 said:
I have just watched wheeler dealers and the Alfasud and I so want to have one of those cars in my life again!
Many of your probably wanted a TVR back then but I didn't but loved two ultra rotten alfasuds in a way that I love my Chimaera today. Only 50 left! Mrs B and I watched it together and I think she is a bit worried about me going out to get one!
What cars did we have back in the day then?
If you want a Wheeler Dealer car and don't mind being on the telly, would this do?Many of your probably wanted a TVR back then but I didn't but loved two ultra rotten alfasuds in a way that I love my Chimaera today. Only 50 left! Mrs B and I watched it together and I think she is a bit worried about me going out to get one!
What cars did we have back in the day then?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C650740
From a very foggy and distant past:
Anglia 1500GT
Escort Mk1 RS2000
Viva GT - the real deal with black bonnet (and rust)
Several SD1s inc Vitesse
and when not so yooful
Ford P100 - XR4i running gear
M3 e46
M3 e46
M3 e46 - bloody luv 'em
Edited by N7GTX on Monday 7th September 13:21
N7GTX said:
If you want a Wheeler Dealer car and don't mind being on the telly, would this do?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C650740
Back in the day, I had 3 Mk2 Golf GTI's including a rather special run-out campaign version. Done with VW's lovely cars but not the Character of the Alfa....http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C650740
This looks good though http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C612418
TV8 said:
N7GTX said:
If you want a Wheeler Dealer car and don't mind being on the telly, would this do?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C650740
Back in the day, I had 3 Mk2 Golf GTI's including a rather special run-out campaign version. Done with VW's lovely cars but not the Character of the Alfa....http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C650740
This looks good though http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C612418
Not mine but definitely a very prominent car of my youth and one that followed me throughout life.
The 1933 Talbot 105 Vanden Plas Tourer belonged to my best friend's father now sadly deceased. I first journeyed in this beauty in 1978 at the age of eight years old, and subsequently completed thousands of happy miles over the years in what was a surprisingly fast, comfortable and very capable of being used in modern traffic vintage car.
We used to take great pleasure in kicking that Wilson Pre-Selector box into top and rolling past all the modern stuff at a leisurely slow revving 80mph, most people sat open mouthed in shock as we bowled past in the 60 year old Talbot.
By the time I'd reached my early 20's I'd completed all my mechanics exams and found myself embarking on a light restoration on the AGC 386, further cementing my bond with this wonderful car.
The spannering was followed shortly after by a trip to Holland where I served as driver's mechanic and generally had a fantastic time at the family wedding we were attending.
Fast forward to 2008 and it was almost inevitable but still very touching that AGC 386 would do service as my own wedding car.
The car has followed me through life from 1978 as an eight year old by to 2012 when my best friends father and (personal friend) sadly passed away.
The car was offered to me in a rather cryptic chat with Chris sometime before his passing, sadly we never struck the deal so AGC 386 now enjoys a new life with a different but thankfully still very caring owner.
When you've known a car for almost 40 years it's hard not to see as a part of the family, I've always promised myself one day I'll buy that old Talbot and be it's custodian for a while.
I think £100k should do it
The 1933 Talbot 105 Vanden Plas Tourer belonged to my best friend's father now sadly deceased. I first journeyed in this beauty in 1978 at the age of eight years old, and subsequently completed thousands of happy miles over the years in what was a surprisingly fast, comfortable and very capable of being used in modern traffic vintage car.
We used to take great pleasure in kicking that Wilson Pre-Selector box into top and rolling past all the modern stuff at a leisurely slow revving 80mph, most people sat open mouthed in shock as we bowled past in the 60 year old Talbot.
By the time I'd reached my early 20's I'd completed all my mechanics exams and found myself embarking on a light restoration on the AGC 386, further cementing my bond with this wonderful car.
The spannering was followed shortly after by a trip to Holland where I served as driver's mechanic and generally had a fantastic time at the family wedding we were attending.
Fast forward to 2008 and it was almost inevitable but still very touching that AGC 386 would do service as my own wedding car.
The car has followed me through life from 1978 as an eight year old by to 2012 when my best friends father and (personal friend) sadly passed away.
The car was offered to me in a rather cryptic chat with Chris sometime before his passing, sadly we never struck the deal so AGC 386 now enjoys a new life with a different but thankfully still very caring owner.
When you've known a car for almost 40 years it's hard not to see as a part of the family, I've always promised myself one day I'll buy that old Talbot and be it's custodian for a while.
I think £100k should do it
Edited by ChimpOnGas on Monday 7th September 19:18
TV8 said:
N7GTX said:
If you want a Wheeler Dealer car and don't mind being on the telly, would this do?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C650740
Back in the day, I had 3 Mk2 Golf GTI's including a rather special run-out campaign version. Done with VW's lovely cars but not the Character of the Alfa....http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C650740
This looks good though http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C612418
In order of ownage........
Family...
1.4s Fiesta
Mini 998
Subaru estate
Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia estate
Ford Sierra 2.0 Ghia estate (yuk)
Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia estate
Ford Mondeo Diesel
Ford Galaxy
Ford C Max
Ford B Max
My own fun
1977 SS50
1986 RD125 LC
1999 ZZR600
1999 Honda CBR 1100 xx
2006 ZZR1400
Sold bikes.......and bought my current...
1993 TVR Chim 400 was bought 2010.
I started my family early (kids at the age of 19) - hence the practicality - and also no money!
Nosh.
Family...
1.4s Fiesta
Mini 998
Subaru estate
Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia estate
Ford Sierra 2.0 Ghia estate (yuk)
Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia estate
Ford Mondeo Diesel
Ford Galaxy
Ford C Max
Ford B Max
My own fun
1977 SS50
1986 RD125 LC
1999 ZZR600
1999 Honda CBR 1100 xx
2006 ZZR1400
Sold bikes.......and bought my current...
1993 TVR Chim 400 was bought 2010.
I started my family early (kids at the age of 19) - hence the practicality - and also no money!
Nosh.
Starting from age 17 excluding numerous new company cars :-
79 Ford Escort Mk2 1.3L 2 door
81 Ford Escort Mk3 1.6 Ghia 2 door
85 Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
86 Westfield 1700 x flow twin 90 Webbers Q reg joint build
91 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6L (I know but it was new & I just bought a house!)
93 Mazda MX5 1.8i SE (track spec)
90 Saab 900i 16v Turbo Convertible
95 TVR Chimaera 500 V8
96 Rover 620ti
97 Audi A4 T Sport
01 Audi A6 V6 Avant
02 Ford Focus ST170
06 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI DTM
09 Audi A6 V6 3.0 Allroad
Plenty of company BMW, VW, Volvos and yawn in between. Still run 3 of these incl TVR
79 Ford Escort Mk2 1.3L 2 door
81 Ford Escort Mk3 1.6 Ghia 2 door
85 Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
86 Westfield 1700 x flow twin 90 Webbers Q reg joint build
91 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6L (I know but it was new & I just bought a house!)
93 Mazda MX5 1.8i SE (track spec)
90 Saab 900i 16v Turbo Convertible
95 TVR Chimaera 500 V8
96 Rover 620ti
97 Audi A4 T Sport
01 Audi A6 V6 Avant
02 Ford Focus ST170
06 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI DTM
09 Audi A6 V6 3.0 Allroad
Plenty of company BMW, VW, Volvos and yawn in between. Still run 3 of these incl TVR
ChimpOnGas said:
Not mine but definitely a very prominent car of my youth and one that followed me throughout life.
The 1933 Talbot 105 Vanden Plas Tourer belonged to my best friend's father now sadly deceased. I first journeyed in this beauty in 1978 at the age of eight years old, and subsequently completed thousands of happy miles over the years in what was a surprisingly fast, comfortable and very capable of being used in modern traffic vintage car.
We used to take great pleasure in kicking that Wilson Pre-Selector box into top and rolling past all the modern stuff at a leisurely slow revving 80mph, most people sat open mouthed in shock as we bowled past in the 60 year old Talbot.
By the time I'd reached my early 20's I'd completed all my mechanics exams and found myself embarking on a light restoration on the AGC 386, further cementing my bond with this wonderful car.
The spannering was followed shortly after by a trip to Holland where I served as driver's mechanic and generally had a fantastic time at the family wedding we were attending.
Fast forward to 2008 and it was almost inevitable but still very touching that AGC 386 would do service as my own wedding car.
The car has followed me through life from 1978 as an eight year old by to 2012 when my best friends father and (personal friend) sadly passed away.
The car was offered to me in a rather cryptic chat with Chris sometime before his passing, sadly we never struck the deal so AGC 386 now enjoys a new life with a different but thankfully still very caring owner.
When you've known a car for almost 40 years it's hard not to see as a part of the family, I've always promised myself one day I'll buy that old Talbot and be it's custodian for a while.
I think £100k should do it
The 1933 Talbot 105 Vanden Plas Tourer belonged to my best friend's father now sadly deceased. I first journeyed in this beauty in 1978 at the age of eight years old, and subsequently completed thousands of happy miles over the years in what was a surprisingly fast, comfortable and very capable of being used in modern traffic vintage car.
We used to take great pleasure in kicking that Wilson Pre-Selector box into top and rolling past all the modern stuff at a leisurely slow revving 80mph, most people sat open mouthed in shock as we bowled past in the 60 year old Talbot.
By the time I'd reached my early 20's I'd completed all my mechanics exams and found myself embarking on a light restoration on the AGC 386, further cementing my bond with this wonderful car.
The spannering was followed shortly after by a trip to Holland where I served as driver's mechanic and generally had a fantastic time at the family wedding we were attending.
Fast forward to 2008 and it was almost inevitable but still very touching that AGC 386 would do service as my own wedding car.
The car has followed me through life from 1978 as an eight year old by to 2012 when my best friends father and (personal friend) sadly passed away.
The car was offered to me in a rather cryptic chat with Chris sometime before his passing, sadly we never struck the deal so AGC 386 now enjoys a new life with a different but thankfully still very caring owner.
When you've known a car for almost 40 years it's hard not to see as a part of the family, I've always promised myself one day I'll buy that old Talbot and be it's custodian for a while.
I think £100k should do it
Edited by ChimpOnGas on Monday 7th September 19:18
Another one belonging to my best mate's father.
This Type-55 Bug was purchase by Chris at auction for £86,000 including premium in 1993 on the understanding the car was somewhat of a bitza.
To qualify as a true Bugatti a certain number of critical components need to be certified as having been made at the Molsheim factory in period.
With exact replicas being produced in Argentina by Pur Sang for many years, cars that are indistinguishable from the originals, this certificate of originality becomes very important. Pur Sang will literally make any component to complete your basket case Bug restoration from one of the unique square head bolts to a full crankshaft and everything in between.
"New Type-35 engine block required, no problem sir I'll cast you one immediately".
But this bargain bitza Bug was intriguing, the more we traced it's history the more it looked like we might get it certified by the Bugatti owners club inspector so awarding the car the much coveted "Original Status" certificate.
Although we'd already proved the car started life (well most of it) as a Type-55 Coupe that at some point been re-bodied as a Type-55 Super Sport Roadster, the key to the original status proved to be revealing the stamped numbers on the beautifully sculptured nickle plated front axle.
Much investigation of these faint numbers ensued but were subsequently proved to be Molsheim factory original stampings, the end result being the car went from bitza status to genuine Bugatti.
At this point Chris considered it too valuable to drive in anger so outed it after just one year of ownership for £212,000 and so making a tidy £126,000 profit in just 12 months.
I rode in the car a few times an it was mind bendingly fast, not fast for a vintage car standards but fast by modern car standards. In fact it was much like a straight 8 Catherham with no brakes and ridiculously skinny tyres
My overriding memory of this Type-55 was the supercharger which hangs very low, it then sucked through an even lower mounted carb. We had it idling on the gravel drive one day and I noticed when Chris blipped the throttle small pieces of pea shingle would be sucked off the ground and then fall back to the floor again.
Now conciser there was no air filter (not even a gauze) and you can only imagine what would have happened if a stone had been inhaled fully and journeyed around the lobes of the Roots type blower
If £126,000 in just 12 months sounds like a good profit to you, just consider what that car would sell for now?
Try, £1.4 Million!!!
I feel honored to have had a few blasts in it, because short of a Euro Millions win I'll sure as hell never get another vintage Bugatti experience as long as I live
What a vehicle, and one of the few French cars worth having too
This Type-55 Bug was purchase by Chris at auction for £86,000 including premium in 1993 on the understanding the car was somewhat of a bitza.
To qualify as a true Bugatti a certain number of critical components need to be certified as having been made at the Molsheim factory in period.
With exact replicas being produced in Argentina by Pur Sang for many years, cars that are indistinguishable from the originals, this certificate of originality becomes very important. Pur Sang will literally make any component to complete your basket case Bug restoration from one of the unique square head bolts to a full crankshaft and everything in between.
"New Type-35 engine block required, no problem sir I'll cast you one immediately".
But this bargain bitza Bug was intriguing, the more we traced it's history the more it looked like we might get it certified by the Bugatti owners club inspector so awarding the car the much coveted "Original Status" certificate.
Although we'd already proved the car started life (well most of it) as a Type-55 Coupe that at some point been re-bodied as a Type-55 Super Sport Roadster, the key to the original status proved to be revealing the stamped numbers on the beautifully sculptured nickle plated front axle.
Much investigation of these faint numbers ensued but were subsequently proved to be Molsheim factory original stampings, the end result being the car went from bitza status to genuine Bugatti.
At this point Chris considered it too valuable to drive in anger so outed it after just one year of ownership for £212,000 and so making a tidy £126,000 profit in just 12 months.
I rode in the car a few times an it was mind bendingly fast, not fast for a vintage car standards but fast by modern car standards. In fact it was much like a straight 8 Catherham with no brakes and ridiculously skinny tyres
My overriding memory of this Type-55 was the supercharger which hangs very low, it then sucked through an even lower mounted carb. We had it idling on the gravel drive one day and I noticed when Chris blipped the throttle small pieces of pea shingle would be sucked off the ground and then fall back to the floor again.
Now conciser there was no air filter (not even a gauze) and you can only imagine what would have happened if a stone had been inhaled fully and journeyed around the lobes of the Roots type blower
If £126,000 in just 12 months sounds like a good profit to you, just consider what that car would sell for now?
Try, £1.4 Million!!!
I feel honored to have had a few blasts in it, because short of a Euro Millions win I'll sure as hell never get another vintage Bugatti experience as long as I live
What a vehicle, and one of the few French cars worth having too
Being a little younger than you lot my cars are slightly more current
Cars in order
Opel Kadett in yellow, crashed this
Citroen AX 1.0 Spree (to replace above, brought new on HP with free insurance, stayed in the family with my Dad until he died, feck know whay I didnt keep it
)
Sierra 2.0 GTS (First Company Car, oversteer fun)
Escort 1.8 Ghia X
Pug 306 DT
Seat Toledo V5
Volvo S60 D5 (last company car)
Porsche968CS
MG ZT-T CDTI
RX8
E39 M5
Merc C350
TVR Chimaera 400 (Still have)
MG ZT 190
Alfa 147
Astra 1.6 Excite Boring s
te box (current)
The OH has had the following so kind of mine
Triumph Toledo (Great fun)
Fiesta
Fiat Punto
MGF
Alfa 147
Picasso
Chevrolet Captiva (Current)
Cars in order
Opel Kadett in yellow, crashed this
Citroen AX 1.0 Spree (to replace above, brought new on HP with free insurance, stayed in the family with my Dad until he died, feck know whay I didnt keep it
)Sierra 2.0 GTS (First Company Car, oversteer fun)
Escort 1.8 Ghia X
Pug 306 DT
Seat Toledo V5
Volvo S60 D5 (last company car)
Porsche968CS
MG ZT-T CDTI
RX8
E39 M5
Merc C350
TVR Chimaera 400 (Still have)
MG ZT 190
Alfa 147
Astra 1.6 Excite Boring s
te box (current)The OH has had the following so kind of mine
Triumph Toledo (Great fun)
Fiesta
Fiat Punto
MGF
Alfa 147
Picasso
Chevrolet Captiva (Current)
ChimpOnGas said:
Another one belonging to my best mate's father.
This Type-55 Bug was purchase by Chris at auction for £86,000 including premium in 1993 on the understanding the car was somewhat of a bitza.
To qualify as a true Bugatti a certain number of critical components need to be certified as having been made at the Molsheim factory in period.
With exact replicas being produced in Argentina by Pur Sang for many years, cars that are indistinguishable from the originals, this certificate of originality becomes very important. Pur Sang will literally make any component to complete your basket case Bug restoration from one of the unique square head bolts to a full crankshaft and everything in between.
"New Type-35 engine block required, no problem sir I'll cast you one immediately".
But this bargain bitza Bug was intriguing, the more we traced it's history the more it looked like we might get it certified by the Bugatti owners club inspector so awarding the car the much coveted "Original Status" certificate.
Although we'd already proved the car started life (well most of it) as a Type-55 Coupe that at some point been re-bodied as a Type-55 Super Sport Roadster, the key to the original status proved to be revealing the stamped numbers on the beautifully sculptured nickle plated front axle.
Much investigation of these faint numbers ensued but were subsequently proved to be Molsheim factory original stampings, the end result being the car went from bitza status to genuine Bugatti.
At this point Chris considered it too valuable to drive in anger so outed it after just one year of ownership for £212,000 and so making a tidy £126,000 profit in just 12 months.
I rode in the car a few times an it was mind bendingly fast, not fast for a vintage car standards but fast by modern car standards. In fact it was much like a straight 8 Catherham with no brakes and ridiculously skinny tyres
My overriding memory of this Type-55 was the supercharger which hangs very low, it then sucked through an even lower mounted carb. We had it idling on the gravel drive one day and I noticed when Chris blipped the throttle small pieces of pea shingle would be sucked off the ground and then fall back to the floor again.
Now conciser there was no air filter (not even a gauze) and you can only imagine what would have happened if a stone had been inhaled fully and journeyed around the lobes of the Roots type blower
If £126,000 in just 12 months sounds like a good profit to you, just consider what that car would sell for now?
Try, £1.4 Million!!!
I feel honored to have had a few blasts in it, because short of a Euro Millions win I'll sure as hell never get another vintage Bugatti experience as long as I live
What a vehicle, and one of the few French cars worth having too
WOW This Type-55 Bug was purchase by Chris at auction for £86,000 including premium in 1993 on the understanding the car was somewhat of a bitza.
To qualify as a true Bugatti a certain number of critical components need to be certified as having been made at the Molsheim factory in period.
With exact replicas being produced in Argentina by Pur Sang for many years, cars that are indistinguishable from the originals, this certificate of originality becomes very important. Pur Sang will literally make any component to complete your basket case Bug restoration from one of the unique square head bolts to a full crankshaft and everything in between.
"New Type-35 engine block required, no problem sir I'll cast you one immediately".
But this bargain bitza Bug was intriguing, the more we traced it's history the more it looked like we might get it certified by the Bugatti owners club inspector so awarding the car the much coveted "Original Status" certificate.
Although we'd already proved the car started life (well most of it) as a Type-55 Coupe that at some point been re-bodied as a Type-55 Super Sport Roadster, the key to the original status proved to be revealing the stamped numbers on the beautifully sculptured nickle plated front axle.
Much investigation of these faint numbers ensued but were subsequently proved to be Molsheim factory original stampings, the end result being the car went from bitza status to genuine Bugatti.
At this point Chris considered it too valuable to drive in anger so outed it after just one year of ownership for £212,000 and so making a tidy £126,000 profit in just 12 months.
I rode in the car a few times an it was mind bendingly fast, not fast for a vintage car standards but fast by modern car standards. In fact it was much like a straight 8 Catherham with no brakes and ridiculously skinny tyres
My overriding memory of this Type-55 was the supercharger which hangs very low, it then sucked through an even lower mounted carb. We had it idling on the gravel drive one day and I noticed when Chris blipped the throttle small pieces of pea shingle would be sucked off the ground and then fall back to the floor again.
Now conciser there was no air filter (not even a gauze) and you can only imagine what would have happened if a stone had been inhaled fully and journeyed around the lobes of the Roots type blower
If £126,000 in just 12 months sounds like a good profit to you, just consider what that car would sell for now?
Try, £1.4 Million!!!
I feel honored to have had a few blasts in it, because short of a Euro Millions win I'll sure as hell never get another vintage Bugatti experience as long as I live
What a vehicle, and one of the few French cars worth having too
classic cars are through the roof nowadays (like property) yes I would want one in my collection but would I pay this? certainly not http://www.cotswoldclassiccar.com/classic-cars-for...ChimpOnGas said:
Another one belonging to my best mate's father.
This Type-55 Bug was purchase by Chris at auction for £86,000 including premium in 1993 on the understanding the car was somewhat of a bitza.
To qualify as a true Bugatti a certain number of critical components need to be certified as having been made at the Molsheim factory in period.
With exact replicas being produced in Argentina by Pur Sang for many years, cars that are indistinguishable from the originals, this certificate of originality becomes very important. Pur Sang will literally make any component to complete your basket case Bug restoration from one of the unique square head bolts to a full crankshaft and everything in between.
"New Type-35 engine block required, no problem sir I'll cast you one immediately".
But this bargain bitza Bug was intriguing, the more we traced it's history the more it looked like we might get it certified by the Bugatti owners club inspector so awarding the car the much coveted "Original Status" certificate.
Although we'd already proved the car started life (well most of it) as a Type-55 Coupe that at some point been re-bodied as a Type-55 Super Sport Roadster, the key to the original status proved to be revealing the stamped numbers on the beautifully sculptured nickle plated front axle.
Much investigation of these faint numbers ensued but were subsequently proved to be Molsheim factory original stampings, the end result being the car went from bitza status to genuine Bugatti.
At this point Chris considered it too valuable to drive in anger so outed it after just one year of ownership for £212,000 and so making a tidy £126,000 profit in just 12 months.
I rode in the car a few times an it was mind bendingly fast, not fast for a vintage car standards but fast by modern car standards. In fact it was much like a straight 8 Catherham with no brakes and ridiculously skinny tyres
My overriding memory of this Type-55 was the supercharger which hangs very low, it then sucked through an even lower mounted carb. We had it idling on the gravel drive one day and I noticed when Chris blipped the throttle small pieces of pea shingle would be sucked off the ground and then fall back to the floor again.
Now conciser there was no air filter (not even a gauze) and you can only imagine what would have happened if a stone had been inhaled fully and journeyed around the lobes of the Roots type blower
If £126,000 in just 12 months sounds like a good profit to you, just consider what that car would sell for now?
Try, £1.4 Million!!!
I feel honored to have had a few blasts in it, because short of a Euro Millions win I'll sure as hell never get another vintage Bugatti experience as long as I live
What a vehicle, and one of the few French cars worth having too
That's a cool story, cracking car, ah well Dave, it's better to have loved and lost than to never love at all. This Type-55 Bug was purchase by Chris at auction for £86,000 including premium in 1993 on the understanding the car was somewhat of a bitza.
To qualify as a true Bugatti a certain number of critical components need to be certified as having been made at the Molsheim factory in period.
With exact replicas being produced in Argentina by Pur Sang for many years, cars that are indistinguishable from the originals, this certificate of originality becomes very important. Pur Sang will literally make any component to complete your basket case Bug restoration from one of the unique square head bolts to a full crankshaft and everything in between.
"New Type-35 engine block required, no problem sir I'll cast you one immediately".
But this bargain bitza Bug was intriguing, the more we traced it's history the more it looked like we might get it certified by the Bugatti owners club inspector so awarding the car the much coveted "Original Status" certificate.
Although we'd already proved the car started life (well most of it) as a Type-55 Coupe that at some point been re-bodied as a Type-55 Super Sport Roadster, the key to the original status proved to be revealing the stamped numbers on the beautifully sculptured nickle plated front axle.
Much investigation of these faint numbers ensued but were subsequently proved to be Molsheim factory original stampings, the end result being the car went from bitza status to genuine Bugatti.
At this point Chris considered it too valuable to drive in anger so outed it after just one year of ownership for £212,000 and so making a tidy £126,000 profit in just 12 months.
I rode in the car a few times an it was mind bendingly fast, not fast for a vintage car standards but fast by modern car standards. In fact it was much like a straight 8 Catherham with no brakes and ridiculously skinny tyres
My overriding memory of this Type-55 was the supercharger which hangs very low, it then sucked through an even lower mounted carb. We had it idling on the gravel drive one day and I noticed when Chris blipped the throttle small pieces of pea shingle would be sucked off the ground and then fall back to the floor again.
Now conciser there was no air filter (not even a gauze) and you can only imagine what would have happened if a stone had been inhaled fully and journeyed around the lobes of the Roots type blower
If £126,000 in just 12 months sounds like a good profit to you, just consider what that car would sell for now?
Try, £1.4 Million!!!
I feel honored to have had a few blasts in it, because short of a Euro Millions win I'll sure as hell never get another vintage Bugatti experience as long as I live
What a vehicle, and one of the few French cars worth having too
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff