The Last Bugatti Racing Cars

There it is: the very first copy of the "Roi des Belges" Edition of "The Bugatti Type 59" book by Julius Kruta, with further contributions by Mark Morris and Eckhard Schimpf, edited by Peter Moss, and published by Julius Kruta himself.

The very heavy parcel (15 kg!) arrived safely and bomb-proof packed this morning. The quality of production appears excellent. And the three volumes come in a carton slipcase (design by Marc Newson), which is covered by a very expensive and precious aluminium foil, which makes it look very special among all the other slipcases on the shelves. But beware: due to the very unsual material, I have been warned urgently by the publisher to apply utmost care in unboxing and handling the tome.

As soon as I have looked thoroughly through the three volumes, I will publish a more detailed report of my impressions. What I can already report from having been granted insights into the project is that this has been a monumental endeavor of seven years by Julius Kruta, who spared no effort (time, money and patience) to research and publish any possible piece of information about the Type 59, including a vast number of historic images, drawings, documents, and commissioning wonderful modern photography of the five surviving Type 59 for this masterpiece.

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Amazing.

 

Now that I spent a good portion of time with "The Bugatti Type 59 Book", I would like to post a more detailed view on the book.

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The work consists of three volumes:

Volume I: Development and Evolution

This is an extremely detailed 240-page account of the development and technical aspects of the Type 59 including a brief introduction into the technical history of Bugatti Grand Prix cars. More than 150 period technical drawings and modern 2D and 3D renderings turn the volume into a compendium which leaves absolutely no question unanswered. A 15-page photo essay of modern shots of technical details is a perfect ending to this.

Volume II: The Racing Seasons

With 460 pages, volume II is the largest of the three books. It describes all races between 1933 and 1939 as well as in 1945 in which Bugatti Type 59 cars and their direct derivatives participated. In doing so, not just the role of the Bugattis is covered, but the reader gets full information on the starting grid, the final result, the track, the official name of each race as well as overall racing distances, racing times, the race posters and many other details. All that is illustrated by more than 500 perfectly reproduced period pictures plus an 11-page full-page-image photo essay.

Volume III: The Post-Works Histories

On 220 pages, the "life" of all five surviving original Type 59s after their official works career is documented as well as that of two Type-59-frame Bugattis from 1939 and that of additional surviving frames and engines. In addition to period photography, this volume is richly illustrated with images of the cars as they are today. These shots are just gorgeous, showing many details in perfect photographic settings. Moreover, the biographies of the owners and racing drivers which became involved with the Type 59 are told.

General observations

The writing by Julius Kruta and his co-authors Mark Morris and Eckhard Schimpf (supported by the editing by Peter Moss) is excellent, in a very clear, fluent style which makes the text a good read.

The graphic layout of the book by art director Christiane Patić, who formerly worked as Bugatti's art director, matches the high quality of the tome. Rarely have I seen a book so brilliantly and intelligently designed throughout each single page as in this case. Chapeau!

To complete the overall excellent production effort, the title of each of the three volumes is embossed on the respective book cover with an additional "59" foil blocking in a colour, which quotes a feature of the original chassis' livery.

Summary

In view of the overall excellent quality of the 920-page, three-volume tome the price in my view is more than justified. Sure, it doesn't come as a bargain and could have been produced with less effort and without an aluminium-foiled art-like slipcase and with images from less high-end photo sessions - but, hey: Wouldn't that have been boring?! Yes, definitely! So, let's be happy that there are such outstanding books.

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