The pendulum swings. Still.

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2008 1:48 pm

Last night I did something I haven't done for a while; I just looked at the pictures. The William's Atlantic, the Weinberger Royale, the Nethercutt Brescia, the Louwman T54; I spent a while with each, and dreamed a little. In my mind's eye I could feel their power, I could almost hear them roar. But mostly, I just looked at the pictures. And you know what? I fell in love all over again. Maybe William is right, one can know too much.

Usually I'm reasonably even-handed when it comes to historical figures, but not Ettore Bugatti. I keep putting him on a pedestal and then worshipping him as some kind of deity, only to discover he was just a man, and then my rage boils with impotent fury. How can I love Bugattis so much, yet I've never seen one? (the fake one I did see don't count) How can I invest so much time, effort and money to ...... what exactly? I get upset when Bugattis are over-restored, but they do not belong to me, so why do I get so worked up?

I read Borgeson and I get pissed off with Ettore; I read Conway and I stand in awe of his genius. My Bugatti "thing" gives me no rest. What must it be like for those who actually own a Bugatti?

Let me get back to work. But I tell you, I am not nearly done with this subject, I just wish I was a little more rational.

Regards
Johan

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 6:53 am

Trust me, those who actually own a Bugatti, don't have time for thoughts like yours. They spend most of their free time in the garage maintaining/repairing their Bugatti. So much time would probably give rise to negative thoughts about Ettore Bugatti (again), though working on so nicely designed and exquisitely machined parts would let one fall in love with the Bugatti all over again....

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 7:46 am

You know Jaap, you may be on to something. To be very honest with you, what I really yearn for is Bugatti ownership. Unless a miracle befalls me it will not be, but, oh to be the guardian of a Type 44 or 49..................... sometimes the longing is almost painful.

Still, I can dream.

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 12:17 pm

There's nothing wrong in dreaming, some of us do it all day!

Or, buying a lottery ticket now and again.

Or, do one of those Nigerian deals, you get all the e-mails about (worst option, probably).

But, in reality, if you are seriously interested, and manage to contribute something substantial over the years (e.g., writing a new, different book on Bugatti), you will be accepted in Bugatti circles and will be given the occasional chance to ride in one, maybe even drive one. (for a short time, of course, but probably without having to bother about the abovementioned maintenance!)

How about digging into the history of Bugattis in South-Africa, or has this already been done?

Keep dreaming, dreaming about writing, or writing about your dreams!

William Kelsey · **Joined:** Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:01 pm **Posts:** 66

J.J., I'm with you on that - spending enormous amounts of time working in the garage. I spent hours just trying to get the accelerator peddle to "feel" right.

When I work on my replica project, I try to stay as faithful to the spirit Ettore' brought to the automobile as I possibly can. What other thoughts were going through his mind don't mean much to me. Somehow, for example, he managed to squeeze the accelerater peddle and brake peddle together so they would work. I have a picture of Louis Chiron shortly after winning a race in a T-35. He was a large man and he managed to work the peddles designed by Ettore'.

As for me, I will only pass a muted judgement on his mechanical creations. As for his personal indiscretions, shortcomings, and other bad behaviour, I will leave for the good Lord and Johan to judge.

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Sun May 11, 2008 12:23 pm

for your information, there are two articles of other Bugatti replica's on the Bugatti Revue, maybe you had already seen them, maybe not.

Take a look on:
http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue6/t55repli.htm
http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue25/faux.htm

All articles of the Bugatti Revue, since 1995, are back on line, by the way.

The pendulum swings. Still.

Who is online