Since there is such a limited amount of 1:18 diecast scale Bugatti models around, one has to broaden the horizons by modding existing models yourself.
Fortunately for me, I found a site some two years ago wherin the collectors did exactly that not only with Bugattis but virtually every car make thinkable.
This not only makes the collecting of diecast scale far more challenging but also enormously more rewarding.
As you may know, AutoArt are the only makers of the V in 1:18 scale.
When I received mine, the rear EB had come adrift and was bent and torn.
A Veyron without the EB on the back is like Earth without life !!
Attempts to procure another logo from AA proved fruitless so what now ?
I had done some indepth studies of the original test cars and found that they had only the rear airbrake fitted without the production models second wing.
Aha! AA had also left the second wing and have only incorporated it in the newer release "Production" model.
And since the test cars had no EB on the back but instead "High Speed Test Vehicle - Government Approved", I siezed the opportunity to make my car at least in line with an existing Bugatti.

Here are pics of the original:






And here is my mod:





Here is how it was done:

http://www.diecastxchange.com/forum1/in ... opic=43585

(There's a detailed pictorial toward the end of the thread.)

Cheers

Funny; on my AutoArt Veyron also the EB logo went missing at some point....

Nice to mod this model, maybe you should also add some extra parts to the engine bay?

And of course you stay within your country; as I recall well, this test car ran in South Africa!

Cheers, S.H.O
Reading my thoughts exactly!
I want to incorporate all the test equipment on the engine as well as the digital readers used inside.
Also strongly tempted to redo the upholstery in the charcoal of the test cars.
Going to be a while though as I'm currently about a year behind on some other 1:18 mods !!

Here's the Grey/grey after the wheel change and carbon fibre fitting in the airbrake bay.



And the two together with some inferior 1:1 oppostion !!

_________________
"Nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive"
Ettore Bugatti

Great shot. Had to look twice...

When I bought my 1:18 Chiron, one of the headlamps was missing. I guessed before arguing with a German webshop which I was already fed-up with, I decided to take the plunge, and disassemble the car, to fix it. (I hoped it just had fallen inside, instead of missing altogether, which fortunately was not the case).

Much to my ammusement inside I not only found my missing headlight, but also a large lump of metal, to give the car a more "weighty" feeling.

Anyhow, de-assembling the car was very easy, fortunately. Much better then the snap-fit Bburagos.

_________________
Vive la Marque !!

Herman, you hit a sore point !
I actually did my nut on our diecast forum about those chunks of counterweight in the Veyrons !
Lovely thing is that all the diecast manufacturers have lurkers on our site. lol.
So when I bullet them it gets straight back to HO !! Love it !!
I'm currently running a full protest against the ridiculous price hike in AA and the merchandisers are backing it 100% !

Glad you found the light. They always somehow seem to end up in the guts of the model !

The Chiron is probably my favourite model in 1:18....mind you, also love the Hispano Suiza, Cobra 427, Audi R8 and.....oh drat, there are no favourites !! They all are!

_________________
"Nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive"
Ettore Bugatti

I have seen the Chiron in 1:1, and that is a really stunning masterpiece. Looks really, really impressive.

However, it probably is just a model, as I have never seen a picture of it moving...

_________________
Vive la Marque !!

Oh Wow!! Lucky Bugger!
Never mind seen it moving, there are only about 20 pics of it ever ?!?!
The rest are of the scale model.

_________________
"Nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive"
Ettore Bugatti