Throughout the decades between the two World Wars, one of the most successful teams in motorsport was Bugatti. Founded in 1909 by the Italian-born industrial designer Ettore Bugatti and based in Molsheim, the stylish cars enjoyed considerable success during the 1920s and 1930s.
1930 ACF GP at Pau Bugatti T35C Etancelin
The photograph shows one of its most successful models, the T35C, at the end of the Grand Prix of the Automobile Club de France in 1930. This event saw twenty-five cars start the race, seventeen of which were Bugatti’s since other factory teams boycotted the event due to the introduction of an unpopular fuel consumption formula. It was held at a new circuit near the southern town of Pau, based around newly tarmacadam surfaced public roads although, despite ambitious plans for future events, this proved to be its first and last race. Clearly the odds were in favour of a Bugatti winning the grand prix but a lone British entry put up an unexpectedly strong challenge in the form of the huge ex-Le Mans Bentley of Tim Birkin that finished in second place. The 4.5 litre Bentley was initially ridiculed by the opposition as it looked more like a truck compared to the smaller Bugatti’s but its superior power proved decisive as the circuit featured two long straights where top speed counted, although the smaller cars were quicker through the bends.
The Bugatti factory entered two of their reliable T35Cs that were expected to win but tyre and engine problems saw them retire, leaving an independent driver to secure a famous victory. Philippe Etancelin had not intended to enter as he had concerns about competing against some of the best drivers in Europe but his wife persuaded him to make the attempt. During practice his Bugatti suffered engine failure but a phone call to the factory resulted in the necessary parts being flown to Biarritz airport and collected by his mechanics who rebuilt the engine overnight. Etancelin responded by driving the finest race of his life, driving the 396 kilometres without stopping. He took care of his tyres by resisting the temptation of driving too fast while the Bugatti team drivers damaged their tyres attempting to make up lost time. As he crossed the finish line, the clutch failed on Etancelin’s car which had just one litre of fuel left in the tank. The photograph shows a surprised and very happy winner with his wife and garland.
