1935 Bugatti 57S Competition Coupe Aerolithe

Bentley at Frankfurt motor showPhoto: James Lipman

Frankfurt IAA 2015 – Showfloor Mega Gallery in 450 Photos

by

Yes, auto shows are an incredible rush for car lovers: a deluge of new and never-before-seen metal. Scooping even the online mavens, the Porsche Mission E and Mercedes-Benz IAA Concept stayed completely under wraps until their stage reveals. All-new ideas, names and previews of the future will always be a highlight of the shows for the attendees. But for a car hack, covering auto shows is a thankless task. The press days move 400-or-so journalists in lock step between press conferences. Spaced in about 15-minute intervals, the conferences are DULL but suck up 90-percent of your time in pre-show days. …

Keep reading

1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SuperSport Teardrop Coupe 20

1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SuperSport Teardrop Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi

by

Most people will instantly think of the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantique or (Aerolithe) when asked about a gorgeous, art-deck teardrop coupe. But this Talbot-Lago is arguably far more beautiful than even that legendary Bugatti. Named the T150 Competition SuperSport, the car is clearly more than a static showpiece. Eleven of this “New York” body were hand-made by legendary coachbuilders and designers Figoni and Falaschi. So, is it the sexiest Teardrop Coupe ever made? We say yes. Three key reasons for the Talbot-Lago’s lasting and sumptuous beauty topping the Bugatti: — that last, artful bit of finesse in body shaping of …

Keep reading

Atlanta Dream Cars - 1935 Bugatti 57S Competition Coupe Aerolithe Wears Gorgeous Elektron Magnesium Panels9

1935 Bugatti Aerolithe – Digital Colorizer

by

Q: How color sensitive are the iconic shapes of the Bugatti Aerolithe? A: Very! Something about the wildly flexed panel shapes of the Bugatti’s fenders, combined with the sheer flat surfaces of the body-sides and the edges of the hood, combined with the riveted panels… A trilemma of surfaces for any paint to master! The original pistacchio green is accurate and lovely for the period, but how would the car look in other shades? Would its deep recesses and sunken cab melt away from the eye, or become even more prominent? You can be the judge for yourself… via the …

Keep reading

Bugatti GIF 1 header

Atlanta Dream Cars – 1935 Bugatti 57S Competition Coupe Aerolithe Wears Gorgeous Elektron Magnesium Panels

by

This Bugatti’s name really rolls off the tongue quite nicely – even without much car for the accents and the pronunciation. Perhaps that is because the principles of speed competitions, swoopy two-doors and lightweight, low-drag machines are so important today. Those last two really nail the brilliance of this one home. Light and smooth was the goal of this shape, in an era when most cars (and drivers!) would be terrified above 30-mph. This car could easily double that, and perhaps go on to about 75-mph before the tires and brakes became a serious liability. My apologies that these photos …

Keep reading