When Ettore Bugatti passed away in 1947, the creative spirit and driving force of the company died with him. When the long-rumored “new Bugatti” appeared at the 1951 Paris Show, the “Type 101” turned out to be a mildly revised Type 57 chassis with rather uninspired Gangloff bodywork. It even carried a T.57 serial number: 57454. That Paris Show car is the one IXO has chosen to model, and photos show they’ve done it very well. While the body was first built with a higher, more cluttered hood line, IXO has the shape and all the details correct for that Paris Show version, wearing a glossy French Blue to match the car’s current shade. IXO has used hot-printed chrome in all the window moldings and side trim, with plated bumpers, light bezels, and photo-etched wipers and wheels to completely detail their T.101. There’s well-done interior detailing, with silver-printed door hardware; the primary gauges have detailed faces but smaller ones are just painted black. IXO hasn’t missed a thing; even the panel lines for the sunroof are there. This is the first new Type 101 in 25 years — and it was worth the wait. — Wayne Moyer
1:43 | $30