11/5/2024
Molsheim
The ‘Baby’ Bugatti Type 52: the rebirth of a legend as a collector’s piece of art
In 1926, Ettore Bugatti sought to celebrate the fourth birthday of his youngest son, Roland, with a uniquely special gift. Inspired by an icon close to his heart, he decided to build an exquisite half-scale interpretation of the inimitable Bugatti Type 35 – the legendary vehicle that would go on to become the most successful racing car of all time – and marking the birth of the Bugatti Type 52. Also known as the ‘Baby’ Bugatti, it is now reinterpreted as a piece of art, a quintessentially special limited series of collectors’ sculptures infused with the vision of Ettore Bugatti himself, and realized by Bugatti’s first Pilote Officiel, Pierre-Henri Raphanel.
Today, only a handful of the extraordinarily beautiful ‘Baby’ Type 52 examples remain, relics of an era that celebrated both luxury and pioneering design. Now, through Pierre-Henri Raphanel’s deep-rooted passion and lifelong dedication to Bugatti, this iconic configuration has been meticulously recreated. His company, ‘Nations Racing Legends,’ has brought the Type 52 back to life as a limited series of artful masterpieces, crafted to be admired and cherished as heirlooms of automotive and artistic heritage.
Pierre-Henri’s journey with Bugatti began in 2005, and since then, he has become
synonymous with the brand’s uncompromising standards and visionary spirit.
Having conducted more than 10,000 road-tests around the globe, he has amassed a
depth of experience that few can rival. His celebrated career in racing –
including competing in Formula 1, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, and setting
a world-record top speed of 431.072 km/h with the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super
Sport in 2010 – adds a unique dimension to his role at Bugatti. Pierre-Henri now
channels his extensive experience, profound historical knowledge of the brand,
and deep automotive expertise into every detail of the Type 52 series.
This exclusive series, limited to just 99 hand-crafted pieces, embodies
Bugatti’s near-century of celebrating luxury and excellence in a ‘baby’ package.
Each artwork has been created with an unwavering commitment to authenticity,
employing original crafting techniques and the highest-quality materials that
Ettore Bugatti himself had chosen. The result is a collection of timeless
artworks, reflecting the marque’s dedication to elegance, precision, and
unyielding passion for perfection.
Each Type 52 creation is far more than a replica; it is a masterful
reinterpretation, paying homage to Bugatti’s heritage while celebrating
Pierre-Henri’s own legendary journey with the brand. Designed to be treasured
and displayed as pieces of art, these creations not only preserve Bugatti’s
legacy but elevate it, bringing together nearly a century of tradition,
Pierre-Henri’s unparalleled expertise, and the finest craftsmanship that French
artisanship can offer. In each Type 52, Bugatti’s storied past and
Pierre-Henri’s personal devotion to the brand unite to create a tribute worthy
of exhibition and admiration for generations to come.Carefully honoring the spirit of the original model – with steel, aluminum,
wood, and leather weaved into the design with a wealth of precision – and
delivering a unique fusion of the worlds of artisanship and art, achieving such
a feat was no simple task; it was one that demanded the care and attention to
detail that had endeared Pierre-Henri to Bugatti. Committed to doing justice to
this precious ethos, he traveled across France – seeking out and gathering
master craftspeople from different fields, whose treasured and unique skills
could bring the Type 52 to life as a true piece of art, in immaculately
recreated detail.The steel-frame rails, hand-beaten aluminum bodywork, nickel-plated brass
radiator, wooden brake drums, leather-upholstered seats – all were created out
of poring over the plans, production techniques and archives charting the
creation of the original ‘Baby’ Type 52.
With each work individually numbered, 60 of the examples are dedicated to
privileged customers to individualize according to their preferred
color-palette, with some appointed in official vintage racing liveries. These
iconic hues represent nations from France to Italy and Monaco, all woven into
the fabric of motor-racing’s long and star-studded history. Reflecting the
unique artistic flair of Bugatti’s special-edition vehicles, 39 of the exquisite
models represent bespoke versions of the iconic ‘Baby’ Type 52; defined by
exclusive configurations and materials, the series includes 12 ‘silver legends’
– eight of which are finished in mirror-polished aluminum and four in unique
artists’ proofs – and 12 ‘gold legends’, with eight replete in highly complex
mirror-polished brass and four also finished in artists’ proofs.
Concluding his reflections, Pierre-Henri elaborated on the symbolism of the
project:Priced from €95,000*, a series of 99 examples will be produced – with a third of
models already reserved by brand enthusiasts and collectors. To explore
Pierre-Henri Raphanel’s story and masterpieces further, discover [more here
[https://www.bugatti-type52.com/en/]].
*Prices exclusive of taxes.
