Rebuilding Bugatti Classic cars

      On 22nd March, the club was treated to an in depth  description of the activities of a small but specialised business operating out of the original water pumping station next to the canal in Chalford.

         The Stroud valleys were famous in the 18th and 19th centuries for the production of woollen cloth. It was mostly used for military uniforms, the famous "redcoats". The wool was grown on the surrounding Cotswold hills and then spun woven and dyed in the valleys. All the processes in those days were water driven. For most of each year there was water aplenty in the River Frome, but during some summer months there was insufficient water to drive everything. To overcome this a consortium of businesses decided to build a reservoir on Minchinhampton Common, on the hill above the majority of the businesses. A pumping station was built in Chalford and the building, some of the machinery and the reservoir still exist, and the reservoir is still in use. Bryan showed us pictures of "then and now". Much of the original structures still exist, and have been converted into a workshop to restore and rebuild Bugatti cars.

        Much of the work undertaken is done using the original methods, including machining, panel beating and paintwork. One car had been rebuilt starting from just the chassis. Bryan showed the Club many very interesting pictures of the individual processes and how they came together in the finished product. The work is of original quality and comes with a commensurate price tag.

(Thde main picture shows Bryan just trying out one for size!!)