The figure of Jean-Pierre Wimille that accompanies each model in this special edition stands around 22 centimetres (eight inches) tall, and has been digitally sculpted, 3D printed and exquisitely hand-painted in Venice, Italy, by a small team of artists. After a deep dive into the archives, sourcing historical photographs and descriptions of Wimille’s likeness, the team in Venice have created a figure that accurately represents his physicality and character at the time of the race.
Sandy Copeman, Director of Brand at Amalgam: commented: “We have long wanted to create driver figures that will match the quality of our 1:8 models and sit or stand well alongside them. Our research into his appearance at the time of the race has been deep and extensive. The type of suit he wore, his shoes, his physique and complexion have all been very carefully considered and rendered into this fine figure of J.P. Wimille.”
Bugatti Type 59 Model
The Bugatti Type 59 model is the result of around 5000 hours of skilled design and development. The extensive process began with a detailed digital scan of an original Type 59, chassis 59122. Exercising outstanding skill and artistry, Amalgam’s team set about reworking the CAD, before 3D printing and hand working hundreds of patterns. Moulds were made, and every part was cast in prototyping resin, then fettled and fitted, painted and assembled into these impressive artworks. The original prototype only received the approval of the historians at Bugatti once they were fully satisfied with its accuracy of representation. Each subsequent 52 centimetre (20 inch) long piece takes 500 hours to cast, fit, fettle, paint and assemble.
Every visible detail of the car as raced at Spa in July 1935 has been captured and perfectly replicated using archival imagery and data, shared by Bugatti and the Bugatti Trust. The model features a completely removable engine cover which is secured to the model with scaled leather straps, exactly as the original car, under which lies the supercharged 3.3 litre straight-eight engine. Every minute detail has been captured, from the ‘engine turned’ pattern on the dashboard, to the cable brake linkages and the perfectly engineered piano wire spoke wheels. Each wheel is a piece of art, with over 80 parts, demanding several hours of precise assembly work.
For customers that request patination, Amalgam’s artisans will meticulously hand-paint and detail the model to reflect its condition post-race.
The ultimate expression of the Bugatti Grand Prix car
The ultimate expression of the Bugatti Grand Prix car, the Type 59 was a testament to Ettore and Jean Bugatti’s extraordinarily creative engineering talents. In an era when the art of race car design was arguably superseded by the science, the Type 59 remained competitive despite its continued use of ‘old-fashioned’ mechanics. It remains Bugatti’s last successful Grand Prix racer.
Jean-Pierre Wimille is considered one of the finest racers of all time and was cited as a paragon by even the great Juan Manuel Fangio. Joining the Bugatti racing team as the giants of Mercedes and Auto Union began to dominate Grand Prix racing, the fact that Bugatti remained competitive was testament to Wimille’s abilities.
“This very small and exquisite edition of the Bugatti Type 59 and Jean Pierre Wimille is just the start” continues Copeman, “we look forward to sharing more very refined and perfectly posed figures of motorsport icons going forward.”
