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This exhibition organised by De Dietrich Association and by Conseil General of Bas-Rhin was to
present the rebuilding of the De Dietrich - Bugatti Type 5 carried out in England on behalf of Bugatti Trust and of De Dietrich Association. Unfortunately, this Type 5 was
stolen in London during its transport, two days before the inauguration of this exhibition, probably in a fortuitous way: it seems that the robber was interested more by the
truck which transported the Type 5 than by theType 5 itself, whose commercial value is quasi-null because of its exclusive character.
The exhibition was thus inaugurated as envisaged on 1st March but without the rebuilt Type. It
nevertheless was evoked by the superb model scale 1/8° produced by Michael Ulrich, under the patronage of regretted Uwe Hucke. A true wonder of precision and realism.
In spite of the absence of this Type 5, this exhibition remained very interesting with the
presentation of rare Hermès Simplex, built by Ettore Bugatti and Emile Mathis in the workshops of the SACM at Graffenstaden (kindly lent by the National Automobile Museum of
Mulhouse). Richard Day, eminent member of Bugatti Trust and unhappy guide of Type 5 from England to France, had come with parts from Type 5 and certain moulds necessary for
the castings. One thus measures very well the width of this incredible enterprise which is the complete reconstrution of a car according to the original plans !
Lastly, numerous and varied documentation, for the majority coming from the De Dietrich archives,
make this exhibition a very interesting one. Thanks to Claude Schneider of “Enthusiastic Bugatti Alsace” for these photographs taken the day before and during its inauguration.
Last news
: in a press release dated on March 13, Henri Mellon, chairman of De Dietrich Association, announces that a third Type 5 will be ordered for hoped delivery at the end of 2005. It is true that bigger of work was already made, i.e. seeks the original plans, realisation of tools of production and moulds of foundry, development, etc.
There will be thus three Type 5 rebuilt : the one of Bugatti Trust in England, the one of De Dietrich Association, and the last which was stolen in London that will
probably appear one day ?
Cheer in any case with all of those which support this project : - Association De Dietrich, -
Conseil Général of Bas-Rhin, - INSA of Strasbourg, - lycée De Dietrich, - Musée National de l’Automobile de Mulhouse, - the “Enthousiastes Bugatti Alsace” and “Les amateurs de
Mathis”, - Association Lorraine-Dietrich, - Bugatti Trust.
Exhibition “Bugatti et Mathis chez De Dietrich”, from 1st until 28th March 2004, Hotel du Département in Strasbourg
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Henri Mellon (left), chaiman of Association De Dietrich, listens to Richard Day (center)
explaining the Type 5 stolen in London
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Photos of the De Dietrich - Bugatti Type 5 being rebuild, in England, then absolutely not completed
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A sculpture by Rembrandt Bugatti
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Richard Day (micro) presents the rebuilt parts of the Type 5 to Philippe Richert, president of
General Council of Low-Rhine (France)
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Foundry of steering whell and steering box of the Type 5
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