Antique Car Gaskets

Antique Car Gaskets

Classic Profile: The Bugatti

Ask a serious car buff what make of vehicle epitomizes the perfect marriage of engineering and artistry and the Bugatti name will no doubt rise to the top. The sleek models created in the early 1900s, in fact, took automotive design to a whole new level, blending beauty and extreme speed in a highly successful and exclusive racing line.

The story of the original Bugatti line is one deeply entwined with world events. The company itself was founded by Ettore Bugatti in 1909. Ettore, the son of renowned artist Carlo Bugatti, was born in Milan in 1881. He began what would become a journey to create one of the most successful race car lines ever by first studying at the Brera Art Academy. By the age of 17, however, the young Bugatti decided that engineering was more to his liking and he joined a firm as an apprentice. Though he broke with family tradition, Ettore did not leave his love of fine designs behind.

Bugatti designed a three-wheel car within a year of putting himself on the engineering path. This unusual machine ended up winning a host of races, which fueled the fire for Bugatti to continue with automotive design. When the company he apprenticed for would not move forward with his other suggestions, Bugatti struck out on his own. In 1909, he founded his own firm in Molsheim, which at the time was in Alsace, Germany. Bugatti debuted his first solo design at the 1911 Le Mans and came in second. This victory led to a major boon for the Bugatti line as orders began to pour in.

Unfortunately, World War I waylaid production. Ettore took his family to Paris, where he ended up working as an aircraft designer for the course of the war. In 1923, Bugatti once again turned his attention to his beloved cars. From his home in what was then Alsace, France, he would go on to build some of the most successful racing models of all times.

Bugatti set his racing machines apart from the competition in several important ways. First of all, the designs were much smaller and lighter than other cars on the circuit. His 1911 model, for example, weighed in at only 660 pounds and was dwarfed by the Fiat that ultimately won the race. Beyond his sleek, artistic designs, Bugatti also insisted on building each vehicle produced with a painstaking attention to detail. Even the engine blocks were scraped by hand so that no gaskets were needed for sealing.

By the late 1920s, the Bugatti name was one to be reckoned with on the race track. The Bugatti Type 10 took the top four spots in its very first race. The Type 35 is considered one of the most impressive racing machines ever. That model claimed more than 2,000 wins.

The original factory began to decline after Jean Bugatti, the son of Ettore, died in 1939 following a crash during the testing of the Type 57 model. The arrival of World War II saw the Molsheim factory destroyed. By the time Ettore died in 1947, the line was mostly in ruin. A few comebacks were attempted by other Bugatti relatives before the name was sold.

Although Bugatti made less than 8,000 cars in total, Ettore left a legacy of perfection behind that lives on today. Volkswagen ultimately obtained rights to produce cars using the Bugatti name. That subsidiary has stuck with the exclusivity of the original line. Its models are considered both visually pleasing and incredibly fast. Interestingly enough, Volkswagen’s subsidiary is based in Molsheim.

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Is my 92 Acura Legend worth putting a new engine in?

I just purchased the car, so I don't have a car note. In a few years, the car will be considered as a antique, so my tag price will be low.

I love the car, but havn't had a chance to really drive it other than when I test drove it. When I test drove the car, nothing was wrong, but it needed a new radiator, according to the guy I purchased it from. After I purchaed the car, which was a week after I test drove it, the car had 30 extra miles on it, plus white smoke coming from the tail pipe. My mechanic said that I had a cracked head gasket, and needed a new engine.

I know that Acura parts are expensive, and I have already called around and received quotes. I'm just trying to decide if me paying all this money now will end up costing me less in the long run. Plus I was told that Acuras are very low maintence cars and are great cars for females.

Well you really don't need a new entire engine. Probably a replacement cylinder head. Acura parts are not REALLY expensive. If you keep saying that to mechanics they are going to charge you a lot. I think the person who sold the car to you knew it had a cracked head and pumped it full of "stop leak" and that's what clogged your radiator. Hows the heat? that might be clogged up with stop leak too.

If the body of the car is straight (no dents) and the overall cosmetic and mechanical condition is good then yes fixing the car would be wise. If it is ugly and needs lots more work forget it. Acuras are very low maintence cars for a while but fall apart fast when they get old.

Fixing the exhaust gasket on the Rambler, 350 Chevy