Hot Wheels ELITE64 Bugatti Type 59 FEATURETTE
Elite64 Series by Mattel Creations
The Mattel Creations website has been offering highlights for collectors for years, focussing on special collector's items that are usually limited to 30,000 pieces. The so-called Red Line Club with the Red Line models. Many of these have the potential to increase in value. This is partly due to the limited number of models, but also to the exceptional details and functions. Because we're not talking about $2 Hot Wheels models here, but tangible collector's items! These more or less include the Elite64 side series, which was launched in 2023.
Elite 64 is a Premium-style series featuring true 1/64-scale cars. All castings feature multiple separate parts for added detail, bespoke Real Rider wheels specific to each car and may feature removable or opening parts. The line is as said available exclusively on Mattelcreations.com, with each car priced at USD $20 or more. The best thing about it: The Red Line Club membership is not required to purchase the cars, which means its way easier to get them for your own personal collection
Bugatti Type 59
The tenth model in the series is a brand-new model that has never been produced by Hot Wheels before, the Bugatti Type 59. Elite64 is also exciting because this series often features brand-new models. These include the Toyota Chaser JZX100, the LBWK Lamborghini Aventador, the Modified 1969 Ford Mustang and the Audi RS7. The Bugatti Type 59 follows on from this. Hot Wheels already knew how to build a former F1 racing car back then with the Ferrari F1 159. With this model, Hot Wheels is once again venturing into the racing series of past decades, namely the 1933 era.
There was a war going on in the world at the time. But there was still one topic that all the leading nations could agree on: motorsport. It was still considered one of the best showcases for demonstrating technical progress. Bugatti had built the Type 59 for the 750-kilo formula of 1934. The newcomer, still visually reminiscent of its predecessors T51 and T54, made its debut with a 2.8-litre engine at the 1933 Spanish GP. It ended in fourth place for Varzi. After the 1935 Monaco GP, the engine capacity increased to 3257 cc. The new models were initially reserved for works drivers only, but they were soon also offered for sale to privateers. For 1935, the factory kept only two, which were driven by Robert Benoist and Jean-Pierre Wimille. The Bugatti is considered one of the most beautiful racing cars of all time!
The Type 59 opted for a unique shape with the width of a two-seater so that the driver could sit low next to the gearbox. Ettore Bugatti didnβt like having to sit his driver high over the propeller shaft as he would have to in a tighter, single-seat body. That shape tapers into a sharp point at the tail, which itself houses the fuel tank, in between two beautifully riveted halves of metal. The signature piano wire wheels just syncs in so well with the overall design.
The engine was a straight eight-cylinder, with two overhead camshafts driven by a train of gears from the rear of the crankshaft, this drive also being taken to the Bugatti built supercharger mounted on the right-hand side of the engine, with two down-draught Zenith carburettors on top. Despite its advancements, and beautiful shape, the Type 59 was arguably too late in developments to best the German competition on the Grand Prix circuits of the world. This example with FRENCH RACING BLUE paint and an openable hood WITH engine details had a best result of fourth at Spa-Francorchamps with Robert Benoist at the wheel. But with just six or seven built, and its enviable looks, the Type 59 remains one of the most desirable pre-war cars ever made.
Now Hot Wheels has really nailed it again, showing this beauty in all its glory! What do you think? Is this one of the best Hot Wheels models in years?
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