Le Mans 1939 ??

Hi Uwe

I don't think this is the 1939 car, rather it looks like one of the 1936/37 S-based tanks. I think this might be the 1937 Le Mans 57G driven by Veyron and Labric which retired ; the winning car (number 2, driven by Wimille & Benoist) ran without spats over the rear wheels. I include these 2 photographs from Album 19 on The Bugatti Trust's website, strangely enough I have not been able to locate a photo of the 1939 Le Mans winner - anyone?

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I have a feeling I have just made an ass of myself ; I was looking at the car in front, but failed to notice the streamlined car behind, and it does look a lot like the 1939 winner doesn't it? Right down to the number 1 mounted top and to the right of the radiator opening. And you know what else? I was under the impression only one 57G raced in 1939. Sorry Uwe, anyone feel like mocking me?

It is definately not the race itself. Could be some pratice runs during 1938 or 1939.

-the 1939 car is in the background. So must be 1938 or 1939

-would any organiser allow 2 cars with the same starting number?

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The wheel spats are removable. The 1937 cars raced with spats during 1936, and without at Le Mans 1937.

Which circuit is this? Anyone recognise it?

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Vive la Marque !!

In 1931 started the # 50131 at Le Mans with startnumber 6 and crached.
The car was driven by Maurice Rost and the Italian count Caberto Conelly. While Rost was driving a colapsed left back tire at a speed of 185 km/h made an end to his first position. Rost survived, because he was trown out of the car, but a spectator died. The engine was rebuild in another racer. At that moment the car got the chassisnumber 50131. In 1934-35 the car got another coachwork. In 1952 Michel Dovaz bought the car and kept it untill 1990. At the moment the car gets in Italy a Torpede Sport Le Man Coachwork. What happened with the landaulet coachwork of 1934-34. is not known at the moment.

Fantasy model or real exist ?


Type 51A Le Mans 1935 by MCM 1:43

This T44 really existed, see http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue8/lemans.htm

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Jaap if I read this Revue article correctly, this would seem to be model of a T35 and not a T44. (The photo of a T44 is not this car.) Fascinating photograph of this car though, I have only ever seen the model. What was the purpose of the unique rear-end treatment? MCM says this is T51A, the caption to the photograph in the Review states it to be a T35 and I have also seen it referred to as a T55 - does anyone know more?

Thanks
Johan

The type 51 Le Mans from 1935 ?

There are in fact two cars, which have some similarities, but are different. I confused the one with the other.


Is the T44


Is the T35 (or T51?)

Both have some attempt at streamlining, maybe something to do with regulations also, making participation in a different class possible??

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Uwe pointed out to me that car No.16 is in fact a T51 - hole on the side of the bonnet is low, yet the only T51 entered for 1935 looked standard. This T51 was the only Bugatti to finished Le Mans in 1935, I believe.

Johan

Maybe it is a T35 with a different kind of compressor??

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You could be right ; something else that's just occurred to me, this car was rebuilt, perhaps the larger T51 radiator was fitted to improve cooling making it necessary to fit a T51 bonnet. It does seem unlikely that the Le Mans scrutineers would have mistaken a T51 for a T35.

Was this a works rebuild? Amazing isn't it how confusing Bugatti's Le Mans history has become; for the longest time I was under the impression that the complete list was 3 x T50's and 3 x T57G's. Two victories only, 1937 & 1939. Turns out it's not so simple after all.

Johan

Yes it's 1939 tests. Certainly Bugatti would compare the two cars, so the 57G 1937 must have a compressor.