The one and only Bugatti Aerolithe

David Grainger, co-founder of Bradford, Ontario's Guild of Automotive Restorers, wasn't sure what to do with Bugatti chassis #57104 when he first got his hands on it-until he heard about the legendary Aerolithe.
The Jean Bugatti-designed "Electron Coupe" -- so named because it was bodied in a magnesium alloy called "Electron" -- mysteriously disappeared shortly after its 1935 debut at the Paris Salon.
That mystique made it the perfect candidate for an exacting five-year-long recreation performed using only period-correct materials and methods.
Thanks to the Guild of Automotive Restorers for access to this incredible machine.

[@cvrtr]

That's not a car. That's art. A piece of engineering perfection.

[@gracz24PL]

indeed , ohh guy who driving this car is to lucky man :3 ehh :3

[@deathtrapgarage506]

like the Pontiac Banshee

[@danielladd10]

Luke Jackson no

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

Strafe68 乃卂ᗪ卂丂丂

[@alain8747]

Et oui c'est ce que faisait la France au début du XX siècle. Précisons que la 1ere auto c'est en France etc

[@jsuds12]

So proud that a Canadian company took on this one and only car, beautiful job guys! Watching your show and the problems you were having with magnesium I never would have thought it would be done and look this incredible.

[@warronconroy8460]

It’s beautiful to see a group of people who understand the relevance of doing a job to that degree of perfection. I’m in awe of both machine and its people, from the original as depicted in the photos to the example shown here.

[@redsox351]

This is truly one of the most incredible, inspiring, and breath taking cars I've ever seen. The video itself is very inspirational and shows in itself how much love was put in the car

[@TheMickeymental]

When I see this car I see beauty, style, and elegance. I also see a a lot of work detailing this beast.

[@edmendoza27]

the

[@BopWalk]

Art Deco cars are pieces of extravagant art. There should be a company designing cars like this today with modern super car engines!

[@mikestang679]

Fantastic!!! A lot of blood, sweat & tears went into this re-creation, it's wild to speculate that EB may have hidden/buried it somewhere

[@nikko2222]

absolutely fantastic ... who can't dream when watching this ?

[@giannagiavelli5098]

i am in awe. just to see it in person would be bliss. this and the 34 delahaye are both dreams to see before I die

[@khavari12]

pure work of art,,it is a masterpiece ...

[@chriserz94]

33 seconds in , first video i've ever viewed from this channel I subscribed , great quality of filming , editing and audio :)

[@DerekJason3000]

I have spoken many times with David Grainger about Bugatti parts, projects, original Molsheim replacement gears etc. He is a great guy and true tasteful enthusiast and curator of the Bugatti family art. He got it right artistically and creatively while some other high profile Bugatti restoration/recreations failed spectacularly due to bad taste. Vive la marque!

[@rogermouton2273]

In my view, the most beautiful car ever built. Exquisite

[@davidcruz8227]

now that is a beautiful recreated bugatti

[@mubasherkhan2583]

Truely a masterpiece. Rarest of the rare.

[@TheCarablanco]

Absolutely splendid. One of the most beautiful cars ever to grace a showroom floor.

[@xaljaruno]

It's so beautiful it is kind of heartbreaking.

[@rvankooij6637]

What can i say. It's a masterpiece, a work of art. Made by top professionals on there own game.

[@powersliding]

the sheer genius of work done and idea to authenticate something that had died and gave it life deserves credibility of an authentic aerolithe

[@davidschmidt6013]

Strange...like that one completely wild girl you had in high school...you never quite forget her...and you always wonder what happened to her...

[@Buzbikebklyn1]

I've seen a few Bugatti "replicas" that were very accurate. This is a whole new thing. The rarest Bugatti I've ever seen. Congratulations.

[@paulorchard7960]

Watched the Guild on tv when they built this car, a labor of love and perfection! Remember David looking at the car and one rivet wasn’t quite right, pull them all out and start again! Nuts, but that’s perfection!

[@AlonsoCantu-q9l]

It takes my breath away--WONDERFUL project, congrats to all involved.. Truely a masterpiece. Rarest of the rare..

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Simply fantastic. One of the extremest finest craftsmanship I have ever seen. Wonderful, amazing, stunning car.

[@jackjones3657]

Truly a 3 dimensional canvas, with useful real world application!

[@Trevorcraft71]

I truly wonder, if the original WAS found in someone's backyard, what would that kind of thing sell for? 100 million? 250 million? a 1 billion?! Its a spectacular piece of machinery

[@malter87]

lol... I don't think any machine can survive for 85 years... without maintenance... the magnesium body will just crumble to dust... after less than 20 years Just like with any other antique the price depends on the auction... sometimes you see antique collectors pay 100k for a chinese vase... sometimes 100 million xD it all depends on the collector and how much money he wants to spend... Personally I think that all old time classic cars should be put on display in museums for the public to enjoy whenever you want... not sold to collectors... You can go the museum EVERY day!! if you want to... no one is stopping you.... and you can sit there ALL day long.. and look at many cars... not just one! But for private collections... they are out few times a years... for couple of hours... and that's it... they are put away and hidden after that :/ Private collections suck

[@markfrazier8646]

I'd guess 30 too 40 million

[@MrDaiseymay]

It takes my breath away--WONDERFUL project, congrats to all involved.

[@TWOCOWS1]

why do we see so much of these guys and so little of the car??? like they cant just have their voice in the background and show the car instead???

[@jijo666]

clarence spencer because without them, there's no car.

[@DrPlatypus1]

Their*

[@RomanAlexander1]

@@DrPlatypus1 what are you talking about? "There's" is the correct spelling of the word, when it is being used in that context.

[@RomanAlexander1]

@@DrPlatypus1 what are you talking about? That is the correct spelling of the word "there's" when it is being used in that context.

[@faerieSAALE]

GIANT EGO'S - that's your answer.

[@babyaquinosal7023]

This car is so unique and classic.

[@man_on_wheelz]

You know what it would be like in the year 2500 for a construction crew to find an Aerolithe buried in a room underground in perfect condition by Bugatti, that room would become a new museum!

[@buckorooster]

Most likely there will be no body left. Magnesium is a much more corrosive metal than aluminum or steel...

[@donaldbarrier5806]

Fantastic! The car is absolutely stunning.wow!

[@ACEMEDIA]

This car is absolutely beautiful. If I can find better words to describe it I would.

[@bluemoonpanther6337]

This is amazing and almost unbelievable ... This team that built this car out of mere photos are a bunch of geniuses nothing less

[@stranraerwal]

These guys surely know, what they are talking about. They really created a piece of art. My heartfelt compliments t

[@lindsaythompson6389]

That's what cars should be, and without the computer crap too.

[@austinhammer4636]

+lindsay thompson ys exactly so they are easy to hardwire

[@TR-vl2nb]

The Computer crap saves lives

[@Gregorypeckory]

Yes, this is awesome as art and history, but it is silly to pretend the past is perfection, just because some antiques are still clever and beautiful manifestations of some of the greatly talented people of the past. This isn't what "cars should be"; rather it is a beautiful piece of history to be gawked at and enjoyed.

[@worldhello1234]

​@@TR-vl2nb Specific computer technology can save lives in specific but rare situations. E. g. ESC can cope with shitty engineering to prevent crashes. Your cruise control can't.

[@wackenthaljef]

The worst is that they could made beautiful cars but...no they dont do it...

[@lauranyc4966]

Literally PHENOMENON !!! ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT PIECE OF JEWELRY ❤️ I stopped breathing and made me so emotional ❤️ I need one for sure ❤️ I’ve been obsessed with Atlantic 57SC now Aerolithe my favorite ❤️

[@Teamshmo]

Saw the restoration on tv and it blew my mind. Best build ever

[@Teamshmo]

***** I saw the builder in the video talking at an event and he said it was a huge bitch even back in the day to do, but it's supposed to be super strong. Much stronger than most materials once it's all together.

[@rjspear]

Check out the Guild's website. guildclassiccars

[@mislavbognar2260]

Absolutely AMAZING! I watched it on TV and... well... just amazing! This is pure art!

[@FlyingStuff]

This is such a beautiful thing, one doesnt just look at a car like this without feeling some emotion

[@chrisovrebo9865]

beautiful. Why is the camber on the front wheels so positive?

[@user-jt6xh2ln9z]

Chris Ovrebo all cars from that period have it, it has something to do with the suspension, leaf springs and when you drive over a pothole, the wheel gets pushed out, to account for it they had the camber going on

[@daleolson3506]

Right is different from left it looks like.

[@markfurrer190]

you did a wonderful job.....My hat off to you.........

[@Abcdef1797]

These was beautiful. This is nothing but a master art piece. I'd love to see it in person and just stare at it.

[@davidpitcher9967]

A work of art indeed......a beautiful restoration and most enjoyable video.

[@augustinf]

I didn’t really understand.. what is the difference between an Atlantique and an Aerolithe ? Is it just the name given to one of one of the 4 original atlantiques built ?

[@davebuts1921]

It shows what man is capable of. A beautiful piece of art that is a car, not a ugly thing like a gun.

[@windfall35]

A thousand years from now, people will stand before this vehicle and wonder....

[@jakemitchell2689]

Absolutely gorgeous. . . I love that color too, it really makes the car stand out among all the other art deco creations.

[@mikefedele4521]

I get to drive by this masterpiece twice daily I've been watching this far for years pictures do not do it justice if you can see it in person I urge you to do so.

[@TheOccTher]

What a great video; Love the music selection and the camera angles are just great. Thanks for sharing your love of cars!

[@dedexyz8475]

LOVE the authentic sound of sheet metal getting the shit beaten out of it. For a soundtrack....so calming, and beneficial- to the video portion. Kudos!

[@vicbanks9079]

Jaw dropping result. Congratulations. My goodness what passion...did you guys document the process you talk about in the gestation and build of the car?? Was it sold? C'mon spill the beans!

[@Chuck59ish]

Like they said they used magnesium to make to body, extremely had to work with.

[@seamusoflatcap]

Does it work, though? I'd have liked to have heard the engine and maybe see it go round a track.

[@TheFiatman2]

It will have to be scrapped for Emission laws anyway, so it cannot run.

[@michaeltaylor8835]

The music makes it hard to hear the speech

[@butchlane2607]

Thé most beautiful car EVER!!!!!!!!!!

[@mrzoperxplex]

The original exploded once some raindrops fell upon it.

[@memberofthetribe1]

That car is stunning. They should be very proud of their work. Amazing interior.

[@initialb5009]

looks amazing, what a beauty. .the new clone concept is stunning too.

[@homerfj1100]

I would like to think that I understand. You do, obviously. To me, it's a piece of art, restored. Thank you.

[@CastleAdam]

Stunning, beautiful re-creation indeed

[@zilla0495]

JUST BEAUTIFUL

[@toussantlbisso]

And That my neighbors IS Why Bugatti is thee Legend of Automotive lore ! Formidable.

[@smike-lz8uf]

Ooooh, the eau de nil colour, the riveted seams, those swoopy, extravagant lines - this is true In Yer Face styling. Love it.

[@PaulandNikkiTaylor]

The chemical composition of the paint was actually taken from a single small paint sample that was removed from chassis 57104 and given to a chemist for analysis of each layer of paint applied since its creation at the Bugatti factory.

[@Nick3889]

gotta thank the guild on this one saw them building this one on there show

[@peterlewis3540]

Such a stunningly beautiful rare Bugatti, looks out of place parked next to those muscle cars. I wonder what it's worth ? Maybe Royale money?

[@branon6565]

Holy shit! At 0:28, that's a "Green Machine" big wheel hangin' there! I haven't seen one of those since I wore flat spots in the rear wheels of mine when I was 10, and that was in 1983.....that's just too cool....

[@FABRIC8TIONUNLIMITE1]

+Branon Fontaine That (Green Machine) is worth a lot of money, I saw just the BOX on ebay for $500.00

[@happydays8171]

Wow, wow, wow! I watched the show where they were rushing to get it to Pebble beach (?). Had no idea the detail they went into to make it, my hat's iff!

[@markissboi3583]

👨‍💻 Chris Ohrstrom 🕴 I am the owner. No the car is NOT a restoration. It is a Re-Body using an authentic period chassis #57104 with its the original running gear. The lost original Aerolithe was built on chassis #57103. The new body is recreated as exactly as possible based on computer analysis of period photos and using Elektron alloy as original. The goal was to "recreate" as closely as possible the original using as much period fabric as we could coupled with scholarly, scientific research. We are not trying to fool anyone. 🤐some people dont know the difference between restoration & a copy 🤐👉😜🤪🤣 that what he posted in big chin guy - LENO'S GARAGE

[@pepezubiaur]

Es lo mas increible que jamas se ha visto de esta restauracion esto es un sueno real hecho increidlemente bello desde mexico felicidades por lograrlo felicitaciones gracias

[@gmanbuilder9843]

Beautiful!!!! i cant believe it isnt an original! it looks so much like it!!!

[@tuvshuul4639]

i think it is original ram and engine.

[@unknownunknown-jc6iy]

Gorgeous Automobile, the riveting is very original the slender design gives you a sort of calm feeling when you look at it, this is the exact recreation built, and with it's rarity you can find that's it's worth around $62,000,000+

[@leneanderthalien]

The riveting was make because the magnesium was impossible to weld. Magnesium (density 1.74 and Elektron magnesium alloy 1.8) is much lighter as aluminium (density 2.7), and much more rigid for the same thikness...

[@kristianbrandt3012]

leneanderthalien Not to mention the fact that magnesium is flamable.

[@MrDengo999]

i have one in my backyard in horrible condition though rusted to the tires! is it worth anything?

[@drspaseebo410]

maybe a couple million

[@189951]

Cette voiture avec sa carrosserie si particulière ou certains assemblages sont rivetés, serait digne de sortir tout droit d'un film tiré d'un roman de jules Verne!

[@James-es1fg]

Absolutely beautiful

[@TheEurostyler]

The guys are still young yet they managed to take part in the restoration of their life..

[@NickNakorn]

A stunning achievement.

[@jonjuliecat]

David Grainger and the people at this restorers are jaw droppingly good .. all of them .. true craftsmen .. Bugatti made another version of this called the Atlantique (?) I think that 17 of those were made .. they were aluminium not magnesium .. I think three survive and one was recently sold for 40 million dollars ..

[@mattagnew206]

Only three, possibly four Atlantics were made. Three survive today - Ralph Lauren's, the one in the Mullin collection (the one sold for between $30-40m) and a third, which is actually a rebuild after being totalled in a train accident back in the day. Several really nice replicas exist, including Leno's.

[@Maine733]

Saw one Bugatti Atlantique in a great Automobile exhibition. The interior was made in ostrich leather...amazing

[@jamesmatheson5115]

Ive always enjoyed their tv show, and for him to build this car is the pinnacle of his career, its beautiful beyond words, its a priceless piece of art, but for reality stakes only, if a real one is worth $40,000,000, what would someone be will to pay for a copy.

[@michaeltaylor8835]

It must have cost an arm and a leg to make

[@joevs21001]

I have to say this has to be one of Bugatti's most beautiful cars EVER! WHOA! This car is absolutely mind blowing. Incredible restoration of an incredible car. Thank God this thing did survive to the modern day. What a work of art. Delahaye, Bugatti, Delage, Cord, Dusenberg and others had incredible machines. This one here is in the top 5 most beautiful cars of all time. I'd give my....well....I'd give something to have this thing.

[@TheTreeGal]

What I find almost magical about cars like this is the ingenuity and brilliance of the designers. This is absolutely stunning. Amazing.

[@Tinsby]

Remarkable in all respects.

[@kcphaid]

In that rear window I see it's imact on the design of the 63' split window vette. Magnificent.

[@PumpActionProphet]

Fantastic work.

[@c.mendez426]

a Masterpiece, that what it is.

[@Kolinu2]

Shame Ettore Bugatti made only one. But at least it was made. Beautiful car, beautiful restoration.

[@palwinder_kaler]

This is most beautiful car ever made....

[@courriervirtuel8053]

Much praise to the welder on this beauty. Zzzztt...bob...tap. Zzzzt...bob...tap. Brilliant!

[@randall1959]

A metal masterpiece

[@n.steenvoorde]

Start that engine and we now as listeners that it is a car. That design is really the greatest of its time

[@themericangamer5408]

i would trust this over any modern car it performs better, looks better, runs better, tough, dependable, elegance. a peice of artistic perfection, hand crafted by skilled workers who loved and cared for these beautiful works of perfection. comment if you agree.

[@ZeldaZiplock]

The Guild staff who have talked about actually driving this car say that it is not fun. This may be because they are determined about scratching a gem which cost so much time and labour to create, or it may just be that difficult to drive.

[@hectornevarez2628]

beautiful video, does anyone know the name of the songs played ?

[@Alexander196210]

Imagine opening a barn on an abandoned estate in France and under a thick layer of dust/rat droppings/straw and what not, you find the original.

[@TheFiatman2]

Thank you.

[@juanpmon]

an amazing and beautifull master piece. It has a unique design

[@Rocketjay12]

Great project with this stunning car as the result.

[@ruirodrigues5433]

Tears almost come to my eyes.

[@buggerall]

The only word that comes to mind is "speechless". For anyone who doesn't know about this period or is like me: I remember but not quite... Search for 1930's Art-Deco cars. Notably Talbot Lago, Delahaye and obviously Bugatti. Bring a Towel!