Jaap, that's a good one, do you give me the copyright to use it whenever necessary...?

A little catfighting is fun and I like poking the fire of Johan very much, keeps the conversation spicy. Stay on with the good work Johan.

Sorry, I don't have the magazine yet, but does the article state that the car is still with Tony Wang, or has it changed hands?

Cris

According to the article, written by Mick Walsh, photography by Peter Spinney, Anthony Wang sold it earlier this year to the present Belgian owner, and it this unnamed Belgian who has send it to Tim Dutton for mechanical refurbishment. I presume it will be Tim Dutton who will also be responsible for piecing it together post catastrophe.

I shall enjoy that post.

Johan

Wouldn't a huge crash just add to the (already large) history file of this car, and thus increase it's value?

Everything that's bent, can be made straight again!

So, for godsake Johan, let this Belgian race this car, for us all to enjoy!

And, as both of you talk your own kind of twisted Dutch, maybe you should have a little chat with the owner, he can explain you why he bought the car in the first, and why he wants to use it in the second place (to reach first place, do you follow?)

That's too bad. I belong to the same racing club as Mr. Wang and we only ever got to see it in the paddock every once in a while. He is a very capable driver; it's unfortunate that we won't get to see it run over here under in such a casual atmosphere as the VSCCA events that he normally runs in.

Cris

The "Leopold" T59 now belongs to Hubert Fabri who also owns the exceptionally original T35C, chassis 4871. He had a replica "distressed" tail built for his red T35C and when he races it, he has Tim Dutton install it on the car. Perhaps he will do the same for 57248...
CK

Mr Fabri is indeed a remarkable collector and preserver of cars, and the King Leopold T59 is now in very safe hands. But it is not the owner who gives rise for concern, it is the other racers, motivated by a selfish quest for empty glory that strikes fear into the hearts of those of us who care about Bugattis as historical artefacts. I remember well during the inaugural Monaco Historic Festival how the owner of a very original T35 was punted right out of his car by a, what shall we call him, oh yes, a pillock. The owner/driver of the T35 was lucky to escape serious injury.

It is not racing per se which I am against, it is mixing original and replica that is a recipe for disaster. A race between the Leopold 59, the Monaco winning T35 and a few other impeccably preserved racers driven by the very people who love them, would be a sight to warm the heart. A single accident would break the heart.

Johan Buchner

To all those who thought me mistaken in my belief that this precious and untouched car should not be risked racing, prepare to gloat. I have heard from an impeccable source that this car has suffered mechanical interference in the past.

Indeed, so badly is the damage that the owner has little choice but to have the entire car rebuilt. The engine, in particular, is for all practical purposes near ruined. I thought the King Leopold T59 was one of a handful of untouched and impeccably preserved Bugattis and I was mistaken.

The only good thing to come out of all this is that the new owner has had the foresight to retain the services of the best Bugatti specialists on the planet to undertake the massive, yet delicate task of healing this wounded giant. 57248 still has history to make.

I love being wrong, it gives me the opportunity to learn.

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner