Description
Offered here is my Bugatti Type 37 replica.
This car was originally built in 2016 using parts sourced from David Golightly at Onyx.
If you are not familiar with Davids work he built a number of Type 37 replicas using purpose built chassis and aluminium bodies that are very close to the dimensions and visual appearance of an original Type 37.
I had been looking for one of these cars for a number of years and I found this particular car online in around 2020. I bought the car unseen and when I got it home the fun began.
Whilst the parts supplied by David were great, the car had been put together by a customer of his and sadly had a fair few issues.
So with the help of a very talented friend I set about making the car fit for purpose whilst adding my own touches along the way.
I’ll try and list everything I know about the car and what work I have carried out.
The original Onyx consists of the following parts-
Purpose built welded construction chassis that emulates the shape of an original.
Tube front axle.
Drum brakes.
Leaf spring suspension.
Aluminium body work which I believe was supplied by Ivan Dutton- therefore it is identical to an original Type 37 body.
Rover K series four cylinder 1400 cc engine.
MG Midget gearbox
MG rear axle.
18” spoked wheels with Blockley tyres.
Once I had the car in my possession we carried out the following work and changes-
Replaced the engine with a rebuilt K series engine.
Rewired the whole car front to back with a one off loom.
Added an aftermarket Megasquirt ECU.
New aluminium foam filled fuel tank.
New fuel pump.
Remounted and aligned the engine and gearbox.
Remade the oil filter system and remote housing.
There were many other engineering jobs that were carried out to make the car work as it should.
Once the car was structurally sound I set about making it as authentic as possible and spending a lot of time, money and research doing so. Many of the parts were sourced from Bugatti specialists such as Crossthwaite and Gardner, Gentry Restorations and the Bugatti Owners Club.
The changes I made are as following-
Round dot Bugatti radiator badge
Bugatti radiator cap
Bugatti radiator temperature gauge .
Hand made steel and leather leaf spring dampeners.
Hand made nickel plated and aged wheel knock offs.
Hand made Aluminium wheel centres.
Red oxide rubber wind screen apron.
A beautiful reproduction nicely aged steering wheel that was off an original Bugatti.
Re engineered steering wheel mount to emulate the genuine ones.
Recovered and aged seats.
Bugatti body screws ( cost a fortune!).
Scintilla rear lights.
Bugatti spin off fuel cap.
Red oxide rubber fuel neck surround.
Hand made gear lever to emulate the originals.
Bugatti Aluminium gear box filler.
Every visible nut and bolt was replaced with either a Bugatti item from BOC or something that looked like an original part.
The car has a healthy patina and I have carefully aged the paint and new parts to blend in with the overall aesthetic of the car.
The car is correctly registered as an Onyx and passed the SVA test In 2016.
The car has not been used for a year but has been regularly run and checked over. There are some minor things that I would do if I was keeping the car which I am happy to discuss with potential buyers.
Overall this is a very authentic looking and feeling car at a fraction of the price of a genuine one or tool room copy.
I also have a full fender/ mudguard set, passenger wind screen and a set of Marchal Headlights that will go with the car. In my humble opinion this is the most authentic and of all the Onyx type 37’s built due to the detail I have gone into. I believe there are only 9 other Onyx Type 37’s in existence.
This is as close to the look, feel and driving experience of an original Bugatti or tool room copy you will get for under £250K.
I have friends who own genuine Bugattis who tell me that my car could easily be mistaken for a genuine Bugatti except by those who really know them well.
The car is a lot of fun to drive, sounds great and mechanical parts are easy and cheap to replace if required.
I am sure there are lots of details I have forgotten but please take a look at the photos and feel free to ask me any questions.
