Driving vs originality

Legaleagle · **Joined:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:09 pm **Posts:** 109

I dont think Jim ever gave a flying f**k about originality. Only getting to the chequered flag first, and then the beer tent.

Anyone who watched at Angouleme saw a Brescia like no other.

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:15 am

And you call me offensive? James Diffey won the 1992 Pomerey Trophy in a Cortina Mk.3. For that alone he deserves his place in the pantheon of the gods. His Brescia, chassis 2384, was originally a T23 and by the time James bought it, it was already a much rebuilt car. He sure as Hell never destroyed a precious original.

I never met Mr. Diffey, but he was one of those larger than life characters who enriched my own rather dull life with his exploits. There is a reason he was featured so often in the classic car press, he seems to have been a likable man. And every photograph of him I've seen he is smiling, laughing, alive. He gave more than he took and for that I shall remember him fondly. Just for the record, there is nothing wrong with a fondness for the beer-tent.

Johan

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:36 am

Johan Buchner wrote:

Thanks for bringing this up Mark. Bugatti ownership truly is about responsibility, not only to the car, but also to future generations. As time goes by, the issue just keep getting more and more complicated. After James Diffey's untimely death, his wife honoured her husband's memory by trailing his Brescia. Retiring the car may be the way to prevent any further wear and tear, but by using it as her husband did she is doing something infinitely more glorious. And when it wears out, so what? The memory of James Diffey is worth any number of rebuilds. Not so?

You're getting a bit too heavy here: Bugatti ownership first of all is about enjoying the car, both on the road as well as (for many) in the workshop.

Depending on one's budget, one can do anything to keep it as original as possible, or to replace certain parts, just to make it as useable as possible! Nothing wrong with mounting a couple of T50 blowers on your Royale, if you find the power a bit low!

From the early days, many Bugattis have been changed, altered improved, shortened, lengthened (?, any examples?) engines changed etc. Everything for the joy of the owner, and within his budget. Who are we to criticise that?

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:17 am

You misunderstood me. The point I am trying to get across is that each car demands its own unique solution. The Diffey car should be enjoyed, and continue to be enjoyed. The Prague car on the other hand is more historical artefact than object for use. To race the Prague car would be as inappropriate as turning the Diffey car into a museum exhibit.

The Louwman T46/50T has had that T50 engine for so long now, it might as well be kept that way. 57473 is in the process of being returned to as close to original as possible utilizing all remaining components. Black Bess' wings were returned to its original Labourdette shape after spending most of her life fitted with the heavier items fitted pre-war. Each Bugatti must be judged on an individual basis, and each owner should consider all the variables. Enjoy the car by all means, but keep an eye on the future they must. The more historic and original the car, the less the owners personal enjoyment matters.

Cars resurrected from a pile of bits can be enjoyed to the full; the Monaco winning T35 cannot and must not be used with impunity. The history is too valuable. It is for exactly this reason that, the protestations of so many notwithstanding, my opinion of Ralph Lauren stands. Enjoyment is one thing, vandalism quite another.

Are you seriously suggesting a Royale be fitted with twin T50 blowers? Now you have gone way too far.

Yours
Johan Buchner

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:55 am

If I will have the few odd millions to buy the Kellner Coach, I will spend a few extra millions to have a few blowers fitted, just to see what it does.

And of course an overdrive transmission, for some silent highway cruising in Germany at 250!

History is history in it's own right, they won't take the Monaco victory away for changing the car!

Some of the most famous paintings have been changed, and they are still famous!

See: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=e3E389H650o&eurl=http://stupid.comedyclips.nl/index.php?actie=clip&clip=613&soort=0

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:57 am

Johan Buchner wrote:

Are you seriously suggesting a Royale be fitted with twin T50 blowers? Now you have gone way too far.

But I'm going too far without insulting anyone! :wink:

Herman · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:36 pm

Johan is not allowed to insult anymore. But I am.... :twisted:

A handful of blowers on a Royale...

Jaap on steroids... :lol:

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:44 pm

In fact I seriously think it would be an interesting option, not for one of the 6 existing Royale, but for some replica record-car project inspired by one of Ettore's own drawings.

Would be nice to have a twin-blown T41 engine on a test bed, and see what she can do! 12.7 litres is ten times the T36, so 800 - 1000 HP should be possible!

Next thing: a sprint race against a Veyron!

Herman · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:01 pm

As you know there are some sketches of record cars, indeed with T41 engine(s) and T50 blowers and drivetrain.

Was it Uwe Hucke who was building one? Do you know the status of that project?

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:11 am

Yes, Uwe Hucke was building one, but sold the project, apparently to the States. Haven't heard anything since. Don't know either if it was a single-engined car or a twin-Royale-engined (I heard rumours about that also, approx. 10 years ago).

Uwe Hucke also built a Royale Replica, with shortened chassis and T50-Le Mans type body.

Driving vs originality

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