Having spent a frustrating couple of years looking at this forum but being unable to let on as to what I was doing, I can confirm that the Bugatti Trust and myself (Stuart Brown) have created a Bugatti Type 35 down to its' last nut and bolt in a 3D design package. The ultimate goal is to get the car working as a virtual system.
As far as we are aware, this is a world first in that no out-of-production car, let alone a pre-war Grand Prix car has been recreated out of the original plans, in its entirety, in 3D.
So why is this so ground-breaking and important?
1) The project has from the outset been to do with preserving all the known information on the Bugatti Type 35. To that end, we have worked from the original plans: the car's DNA. We have also involved the UK's foremost experts on the Bugatti marque. Working from the original plans has meant that by deduction, plans for those parts which did not previously exist have now been created.
2) Both myself and The Bugatti Trust are keen to involve "new blood" in the classic car scene and the fact is that the younger generation are at their most comfortable when dealing with computers. To this end, what we have achieved is akin to the human genome project (but obviously massively less important to humanity). Now that the parts have all been recreated in 3D the way the information can be used is limited only by your imagination,for example the aerodynamics, cooling system, chassis rigidity and strength of individual parts can all be analyzed to see just how good Ettore Bugatti's designs are.
3) Bugatti owners should benefit from more accurate and better value parts (obviously supplied via the Bugatti Trust/Owners Club). I personally feel that this is a very important issue as the balance of power with parts should be with the owners and not engineering firms and motor traders.
4) If any potential replica car owner cares to look, they should see that replicas cannot possibly be as accurate as the original car because without the plans they are at best guestimates as to what the car design originally was. There are over 2,500 total parts in a Type 35. This means there are at least 25,000 individual dimensions within the car and probably more.
5) The project has been donated to the Trust and shortly will be placed on their secure computer system, for the benefit of owners and further study of the design.
A few photographs are attached, the project is being launched to the press shortly.
The eagle eyed amongst you will notice an error or so, but these have now been corrected!
I hope you can see that what has been achieved is valuable to the classic car world and should you have any questions, then please ask away.
Regards
Stuart Brown
