Okay, let’s talk about this Bugatti Atlantic 57SC project I tackled. Been wanting to build this one for a while.
Getting Started
So, I finally got my hands on the kit. You know the feeling, right? That excitement when you open the box. Lots of plastic parts, some chrome bits, rubber tires, the usual stuff. First thing I always do is just lay everything out, get a feel for it. The instructions looked okay, pretty standard pictures and steps.
Then came the prep work. I always wash the plastic parts first. Just some warm soapy water, gets rid of any oil or mold release agent. Helps the paint stick better later on. Let them all air dry properly on some paper towels.
The Build Process
I decided to start with the engine and chassis, like the instructions suggested. Seemed logical. The engine had quite a few small parts, a bit fiddly. Had to be careful with the glue, didn’t want to make a mess. Spent a good chunk of time getting the engine block assembled and painted its base color. Same for the chassis frame – glued the main pieces together and got it sprayed.
Next up was attaching the suspension parts to the chassis. This took some patience. Lining things up correctly, making sure the wheels would sit right later on. There were a few moments where I had to dry fit pieces multiple times before committing the glue.
Then I moved onto the interior tub. Glued the seats in, the dashboard. Painted the dashboard details, which was tricky work with a fine brush. Tried to make it look reasonably like the real thing, you know, based on pictures I’d looked up. Nothing too crazy, just enough detail.
Bodywork and Painting
The body shell is the main event, isn’t it? That iconic Atlantic shape. Glued the main body panels together. There were some seam lines, so out came the putty and sandpaper. Filled the gaps, sanded them smooth. Repeat, repeat, until it looked seamless. This always takes longer than you think.
Choosing the color was tough. These cars came in amazing colors, but I went for that classic deep blue. Sprayed the primer first, let it cure. Then laid down several thin coats of the blue. Wet sanded lightly between coats for a smoother finish. Finally, a few coats of clear gloss to seal it all in and give it that shine.
- Priming the body
- Applying the blue base coat
- Sanding and smoothing
- Applying clear coat
Final Touches
This is where it really comes together. Carefully painted the window trim – used a silver paint marker for some bits, fine brush for others. Added the chrome parts like the grille, bumpers, and headlights. These really make it pop. Getting the tiny headlight lenses in place without glue marks was a challenge.
Then the windows. Cut them out carefully and glued them in from the inside. Always a bit nerve-wracking, hoping they fit flush. Attached the wheels and tires to the chassis. Finally, married the finished body to the completed chassis. Lined it up, pressed it gently together. A few dabs of glue in strategic spots to hold it firm.
And that was pretty much it. Stood back and looked at the finished Bugatti Atlantic 57SC. It’s not perfect, never is, but it looks the part on the shelf. Definitely a rewarding build, despite the fiddly bits. Captures that amazing shape. Glad I finally got around to doing it.
