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 Post subject: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 10:09 am 
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Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:47 pm
Posts: 9
Hi folks,

My name is Tom Henderson, I run Henderson Engineering based in Swansea and I'd like to build an exact replica of a 35B.

I could be persuaded to make life a little easier going down the 37 route, but then again, the 51 twin cam motor would be nice too!

I can make the castings, do the machining and I'm pretty handy with sheet metal work too, I guess the only thing I'm not too sharp on is how would an exact replica go down with the wider world?

Would the Bugatti owners club shun my creation?
Is there a cat in hells chance it could be considered a continuation (should I get every last nut and bolt correct)?
Would it even garner slightly more praise by being deliberately wrong, and thus not pretending to be something it's not?
Should I seek out a few original parts to maintain a tangible connection?
Am I going to get anything other than a Q plate and have to hide a catalytic converter somewhere? (Or possibly register it as a "henderson" prototype!)

Or indeed, should I care about any of the above in the immediate future, as it's likely to be over ten years in the making?

I guess the only other thing on my mind is whether there's sufficient interest in certain parts that I could in effect start a project that pays for itself?

I'll be calling the Owners club tomorrow, and visiting the Bugatti trust this Thursday to further dip my toe in the water.

Your thoughts, praise and or outright damnation, all welcome.

Tom.


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 5:39 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2015 4:36 pm
Posts: 2
Hi Tom.
JUST GO FOR IT !! Bon Courage, mon ami !! Regards from rainy France today. Dave.


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 9:15 am 
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Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 6:46 am
Posts: 18
Hi Tom,
Best wishes for your Project!
I am also finishing a replica T37 Project!
Bernhard


Attachments:
T37.jpg
T37.jpg [ 182.97 KiB | Viewed 16858 times ]
T37 side.jpg
T37 side.jpg [ 197.63 KiB | Viewed 16858 times ]
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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 2:10 pm 
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Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 3:17 am
Posts: 1041
Location: Baden-Baden Germany
Hello Tom . If you want something interesting and exciting , go for a T45 . 35 and 37 starts to get boring .


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:54 am 
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Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:47 pm
Posts: 9
Good morning folks,

Thanks for your contributions so far!

Aviatiker, what have you been using for running gear? MG parts? I needed a second look at that engine too, that must have been quite an effort.

This replica forum certainly conjures plenty of arguments amongst its participants and I don't see the replica / lookalike / recreation battle dying down anytime soon!

For me, as tempting as it would be to knock up something quickly, if I were to build something it would have to be right, to justify the effort and expense. No cheating and only the minimal concessions to long term reliability, like a plain bearing crank.

Udolhar, the type 45 is an attractive idea and it would certainly be very nearly unique, are you aware of anyone else attempting such a build?


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 12:10 pm 
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Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 3:17 am
Posts: 1041
Location: Baden-Baden Germany
I think only 2 exist . As far I know , nobody tried to build one .


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:41 pm 
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Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 6:46 am
Posts: 18
Hello quat-fro,
Yes all drive components are MG 1500 parts!
The top off the engine is a alu dummy near the original also the gear box upper part,
the gearshift is in full function from the outside!
Regards
Bernhard


Attachments:
t37 detail 1.jpg
t37 detail 1.jpg [ 227.15 KiB | Viewed 16784 times ]
t 37 detail.jpg
t 37 detail.jpg [ 206.03 KiB | Viewed 16784 times ]
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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 10:22 am 
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Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:47 pm
Posts: 9
That's a lot of effort!

The chassis appears very faithful to the originals, did you make it?


Following my visit to the Bugatti Trust and the owners club at Prescott last Thursday I am both thoroughly inspired and a little more confused about the road
ahead. I couldn't have asked for a warmer welcome.

Got given a parts catalogue, mini data book and bought a few DVDs too and my eyes have been opened to several of the other, lesser known Bugatti types.
Many 35s were made in period and plenty of reproductions have been created since, and as previously, it's not quite as original or unique as I'd like, though it would still be a major task to do it properly.
David at the Bugatti Trust gave me quite a look when I mentioned building a 45 instead, and suggested a 16valve type 15 may be an interesting and lighter task, type 18 Garros is also a very attractive idea...

The other big question is where to start?

Radiator? Engine? Gearbox or chassis? Neither are going to work or be of much use without the other, and which is the most inspiring and least awkward to store while the other bits are being made?!!

I'm going to have to find some decisiveness and stick with it if I'm going to undertake any of these cars.


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:53 am 
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Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 3:17 am
Posts: 1041
Location: Baden-Baden Germany
If you think the 45 is to difficult , the T18 is the car to go for .There are so many 35 and 37 , they are boring .


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 5:19 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:10 am
Posts: 334
You may struggle with getting hold of drawings for the Type 18 though.


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 5:23 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:47 pm
Posts: 9
There's a lot of photos on the Bugatti Trust site, but of course for any worthwhile precision, drawings are definitely crucial!

I shall have to ask.


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 6:36 pm 
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Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 3:17 am
Posts: 1041
Location: Baden-Baden Germany
I know where is a incomplete T18 in pieces . I believe I can borrow parts to copy .


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:00 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:47 pm
Posts: 9
Waw!


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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 6:27 am 
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Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 6:46 am
Posts: 18
Hello,
Yes, the frame is self-made, 4mm iron plate.
I have a molding (20mm iron plate). It´s made by original drawings!


Attachments:
t37 light  2.jpg
t37 light 2.jpg [ 1.26 MiB | Viewed 16618 times ]
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 Post subject: Re: 35B Replica
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:35 am 
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Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 7:16 am
Posts: 15
"Yes, the frame is self-made, 4mm iron plate.
I have a molding (20mm iron plate). It´s made by original drawings!"

I've been wondering as to the best way to do this.
So you cut 20mm plate to the shape of the chassis, then hammered 4mm steel over it ?
After putting the curves in the 20mm plate first of course.

Do you have any photos of the job under way ?
Thanks.


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