Jean Bugatti Figurine Diorama 1/18 Le Mans Miniatures FLM118042

Jean Bugatti Figurine

From 1934-1938 photos

Hand-painted figurine

Resin model

Scale 1/18 

Manufacturer Le Mans Miniatures Le Mans Miniatures

Ref FLM118042

A characteristic silhouette combined with pure elegance: Jean Bugatti, automobile designer and dandy, was the creator of some of the most extraordinary sports cars in history.

Jean Bugatti's passion for cars appeared during his childhood. Heir to a line of renowned artists and son of the engineer and builder Ettore Bugatti, he followed his father both in the manufacturing workshops of his father's factory in Molsheim and in the races where the Bugatti Type 35 accumulated success and records. At the age of 15 he left school and devoted himself entirely to cars. He was the apprentice of the best workers and engineers of the time and from 1920 he became his father's main partner. Together, they redefine the standards of luxury and automotive performance, constantly pushing the limits.

The orders come from American millionaires, gentleman drivers, rich winegrowers, nobles, artists. A special social directory of the most dazzling personalities of the time, which Jean systematically receives in person. His crazy class and his constant elegance make him the perfect brand ambassador. While Ettore Bugatti devoted himself to his flagship model, the Type 41 Royale, the most powerful, largest and most luxurious car in the world, Jean was entrusted with the development of variants of the Type 46, Type 55 and of the Aerolith. All will turn out to be masterful pencil strokes and will mark the spirits.

But Jean Bugatti's most famous creation is undoubtedly the Type 57, in 1936: a hyper-sporty coupe with fluid shapes that embodies the three pillars of Bugatti: speed, luxury and elegance. Today, this model is considered one of the most exclusive sports coupes in the world. The most beautiful Galibier, Ventoux, Atalante and the very futuristic Atlantic bodies are the direct work of Jean himself, who at the age of 25 turns out to be a fabulous designer, capable of pure classicism and the greatest audacity. He also personally led the entry at Le Mans, in 1937 and 1939, of the Type 57 in the "Tank" variant specially prepared and fitted with bodywork: two magnificent victories.

Alas, his masterpiece will also become his ultimate misfortune: forced to swerve to avoid a collision with a cyclist during a Type 57 test race in Duppigheim, not far from the Bugatti factory, Jean Bugatti was mortally wounded and died a few hours later, on August 11, 1939, at the age of 30. The war broke out soon after and these two events were to kill the Bugatti factory. Requisitioned after Ettore refused to work for Germany, the factory collapsed. It reopened in 1947, just before Ettore's death, but his second son, Roland, never succeeded in reestablishing pre-war excellence and the brand eventually disappeared.