Posting December 3, Video Offers Behind-The-Scenes Look at Rare Racecar Originally Owned By New York Heir Wallis Bird
Originally owned by Manhattan socialite and Standard Oil heir Wallis Bird, the Type 35 was raced only once—12 years after it was built—against competitors like Miller, Duesenberg, Alfa Romeo and other Bugattis in the 1937Automobile Racing Club of American Grand Prix. Excluding that race, the Bugatti sat alongside historic motorcars in the 27-car garage at Bird's mansion. In later years, it was acquired by two other owners, ultimately acquired by The Brumos Collection.
To recapture the Bugatti's original qualities, an 11-month project focused on a much-needed servicing of the French racecar's jewel-like 2.0-liter inline eight-cylinder engine, according to Brumos Collection Executive Director Brandon Starks. To gain access to the Type 35's engine necessitated the methodical and fastidious disassembly of the historic 95 year-old automobile.
The painstaking process of returning the Bugatti to its original beauty without the wholesale obliteration of its original character and components—known is collector car circles as a 'sympathetic restoration'—involved arduous work both under the hood and throughout its chassis and exterior.
'We started off with a plan for basic maintenance, but soon realized that the engine needed to be re-cylindered, as it had some major oil leaks that had to be fixed,' recalls Brumos Collection Assistant Manager Aaron Israel. 'Certain pieces of hardware needed to be corrected or re-machined to fit better than they had previously. We also cleaned all the hardware to remove any rust or corrosion. That's critical in preventing decay and ultimately preserving history.'
'Inside The 59' can be accessed via The Brumos Collection social channels:
• Facebook: @thebrumoscollection
• Instagram: @thebrumoscollection
• YouTube: The Brumos Collection
A Unique Setting
In 1924, 16 years after the first Ford Model-T was produced, Henry Ford expanded production to a newly commissioned 165,000 square-foot plant in Jacksonville, Florida. The Brumos Collection is housed in a purpose-built facility whose meticulous design pays distinct homage to this part of Jacksonville's automotive history.
About The Brumos Collection
From the moment guests enter the grounds, carefully crafted design details honor auto racing history. The guard rails along the roadways are reminiscent of the guard rails you would have found racing along the tracks of a bygone era; a board track walkway leads to the building entrance, and the surrounding brickwork pays tribute to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway 'Brickyard.' For more comprehensive information, please visit: www.thebrumoscollection.com.
Photo credit: Brumos Collection
posted on conceptcarz.com
JACKSONVILLE, FL - The meticulous piece-by-piece process of reviving an extremely rare 1925 Bugatti Type 35 racecar is documented in the newest installment of The Brumos Collection's 'Inside The 59' video series, posting December 3 to the Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The Bugatti's stunning exterior is now wears its correct light blue livery, thanks to the expertise of paint and autobody restoration specialist Terry Simmons. 'During the disassembly process, we found traces of the car's original color,' Starks explains. 'Terry and his team were able to precisely match this color and finish, replicating how it must have looked when it was built in Molsheim.'
posted on conceptcarz.com
