1/12th Bugatti Type 35 - step by step

[arcticwolf]

I'll try to do this as an illustrated build-in-progress.

The new Italeri kit, claimed to be brand new molds, this is whats in the box:

Some nice photo etch, chrome that will need to be stripped, and a colouring book - er, instructions.

[arcticwolf]

I'm building this to be a fresh from the factory in 1930 race car. All colours will be based on photos of a couple of unrestored cars, there's lots to go by.

Step 1 and 2, prep the frame rails:

Step 3, the transmission:

Step 4, assemble the frame:

Everything looks good, parts all fit - sort of. A lot of the holes need just a little opening up, check everything first.

The frame is a bit tricky, went together OK but impossible to stop it from torsionally twisting - the real car probably had the same problem!

I eventually had my wife hold the middle part flat on the desk while I twisted it straight, checked it with a vernier and poured a little ultra thin CA on each joint. It no longer twists, so far anyway.

I'll try to update as I download my camera.

Cheers  Paul

[hurtubise56]

Looks good so far! A 1/12 Bugatti will look neat next to the "modern" F1 cars.

[arcticwolf]

Jan 14, 2023 8:10:40 GMT -5 hurtubise56 said:

Looks good so far! A 1/12 Bugatti will look neat next to the "modern" F1 cars.

The older the better Brian. 

[kyledehart5]

Looking forward to following along with this one.

[indycals]

A truly iconic car. And just FYI, the IMS museum has one and it's sometimes on display. I look forward to seeing the progress of this.

[arcticwolf]

Progress.

Step 5. Assemble rear axle and springs:

Step 6 and 7, install in chassis:

PE leaf spring clips.

[arcticwolf]

Step 8 is the brake cables. Very mickey mouse attachment method, I strongly advise attaching the cables to the "S - chain" parts BEFORE gluing them to the chassis in step 1. They're practically impossible to install afterwards.

A start on the engine, step 9, basic block assembly:

Mostly a lot of paint effects and bolt heads to detail.

[Gary Davis]

That's really looking good Paul!

[kyledehart5]

Indeed this is going to look awesome.

[arcticwolf]

Steps 10 to 14, engine assembly

Very straightforward, next time I'd hold off on installing the plugs (more on that later)

[arcticwolf]

They supply some very tiny PE clamps for the rubber hoses, I've omitted them as they are just too small for me to work with. Those who have better fine motor skills, enjoy!

[Gary Davis]

That engine looks GREAT Paul.

[kyledehart5]

Man, it really does look great Paul. Love it.

[arcticwolf]

Step 14, add blower drive and some small bits

And step 15, install in chassis. Talk to it in French and it'll go in:

[kyledehart5]

Much cursing in French? 😂 Looking great.

[arcticwolf]

Jan 25, 2023 18:39:35 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Much cursing in French? 😂 Looking great.

No cursing, just terms of endearment so far. I may have to teach it some Quebecois later. 

[harveythedog2]

Looks great!

[arcticwolf]

Steps 16 to 21, gas tank, hoses, front dampers and radiator. The stone guard is a PE sheet supplied with the kit.

[kyledehart5]

Looks better and better every update

[arcticwolf]

Gave up on the step by step, finishing it my way.

The dash is chromed, don't ask me why.

There is a decal that covers it and lets little bits show through. By the time I painted everything the correct colour, the only chrome left is the clock bezel:

Firewall gets a similar decal. Installed with distributor drive - the belt driven pulley is to drive the shaft driven tachometer:

[hurtubise56]

That engine-turned finish is quite convincing! A decal, you say? Seriously, all that dash/firewall business looks great.

[arcticwolf]

Feb 2, 2023 19:50:21 GMT -5 hurtubise56 said:

That engine-turned finish is quite convincing! A decal, you say? Seriously, all that dash/firewall business looks great.

Yes, one large decal for each piece. They look pretty good, they're Cartograph decals, and surprisingly difficult to work with. Very inflexible, and it took a fair bit of MicroSol to make them co-operate. I had to seal the edges afterward and they got a coat of clear when it was all done just in case. There's a clear lens over the gauges, kit supplied. Took a bit of work but I like the end result, and the dash on this era of car is one of the cool features I think.

[arcticwolf]

Dash installed. They don't supply anything that would be between the dash and firewall, so if you plan on a removable body, some scratching to do - wires, oil tank, oil lines, tach drive and on. On that note, the supplied black tube is very hard, I used it but swapping in some aftermarket would be a better bet.

[hurtubise56]

Yeah, all those old racing cars from that era are so neat looking! Hand-made parts, hand assembled, no two exactly alike. Brass & chrome & engine-turning everywhere! This is going to be an impressive model.

[Gary Davis]

I'm with Brian...this is really looking good. Love the engine-turned dash and firewall. Those gauges look GREAT!

[indydog]

Your build looks amazing! That dash is a true work of art.

I need to get me one of these...

[arcticwolf]

Feb 3, 2023 23:18:54 GMT -5 indydog said:

Your build looks amazing! That dash is a true work of art.

I need to get me one of these...

You should, it's overall a very nice kit - and thank you!

[arcticwolf]

Front springs and dampers. 16 little PE spring clips, lol.

Front axle and ignition wires. The yellow tubing, throw it out, it's too small to fit over the pins or the plugs. Next time I'd grind off the pins on the "tube" the plug wires run through, drill some holes and use my computer wire. Glue the wire to the plugs and then install the plugs. Live and learn.

Chassis almost complete, time to start adding bodywork

[hurtubise56]

A shame to cover all that hard work! It must have been nice starting with a fresh, high-quality kit this time, rather than a "box of bits".