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I was surprised to see a plated Y6 Bugatti on Ebay recently (here). I can only recall seeing one other, and I think it was embedded in a Transpalite paperweight. Like the recent example, that also appeared to be a normal issue which had been plated after leaving the factory (see detailed photograph of the ghostly racing number decal).
Can any Member provide additional information on plated Bugattis? Are they are rare as I think they are?

Yes, they are rare. The bugatti was the first yesteryear to be plated but rarely used on retail giftware items. The Bugatti pre-dates all the regular plated models and could be why they seem to be normal painted production models used for the purpose of trying out a plated version.

Ghosthunter.

I was bidding on the Ebay offering but lost it.

marcel

As far as I'm aware, Lesney produced plated Bugattis were not plated over the racing numbers. This was a Transpalite practice, and the models used for the lighter/paperweight embedments were overplated production red models.

This is mine, notice not so bright, and no racing number under the plating.

Same, my one shows no number and the plating has a copper like corrosion in places. It was always reported that the ones plated over with the number showing were fakes at the time. On this model especially, it can be found with rubber ring tyres as the normal issue tyres tended to melt in the process of encapsulation which uses heat and very high pressure to cure and cast out bubbles.

Yes, sorry for mixing the two plated Bugatti models together. The one shown in Hugh's post which is a plated normal production model with race decal (and smooth tyres!) I would say is a 'Transpalite' example.

Ghosthunter.

P.S. Mick, this is what I see regards an image on your posting, no model or anything accept an image as if like photobucket your account is full or something!

It was also stated in the description of the one offered in Idris post that there are no mounting pillars or holes in the baseplate present. Making the claim that this was a Transpalite model firm.
Rod

As far as I know, no plated Bugatti has been found with mounting holes in the base. Incidentally there are 2 baseplates to be found on Bugattiis. Described as "long" and "short". My example above has the "long" version which was the earlier version and I suspect the example offered on E-Bay has the short version which appeared on later blue, and the final red models.

Didn’t know about this.
I have long and short on the blue models and only short on the red.
Both white dash models have the short base, which is reassuring!
My grey tyred Bugatti has the long base which should be the correct one.





Rod

The different baseplates are specified in the tables in "The Collectors Guide"