A virtual magazine for a true passion!

Author: Otakar Kopecky
Editor: Jaap Horst

Volume 1, Issue 1

Bugattis at Bagatelle

Click on the picture to see a larger version.
Description of the cars on this photo at bottom of page

Contents:

THE BIRTH OF "AUTOMOBILES CLASSIQUES A BAGATELLE"

The first issue of the French magazine "Automobiles Classiques" was released in 1983. The aim of its inventor, Arnauld de Fouchier, was to create a reference magazine for all classic cars lovers, a high-quality journal printed on thick paper. The first issues were incidentally closer to a book than to a magazine, considering both thickness and price (110 FF).
"Automobiles Classiques" gradually became more democratic in order to conquer a larger audience: less sumptuous paper, lower price (50 FF, then 35FF). However, "AC" has always remained unique by the quality of the photos (taken by Peter Vann, Alberto Martinez, Michael Zumbrunn...) and the articles (written by Serge Bellu, Antoine Prunet, Pierre Dieudonne...).
The editorial staff noticed that France was missing an upper-class car event as it missed an upper-class car magazine before "AC" had been created. The journalists wanted to revive the traditional Parisian "Concours d'Elegance" of the twenties, thirties and fifties. They set up the "Club Automobiles Classiques" to organize the show, and Paris' mayor allowed them to use the prestigious "Parc de Bagatelle" in the "Bois de Boulogne", next to Paris. The first "Automobiles Classiques a Bagatelle" show took place on September 11th and 12th, 1988. It is now considered to be the French "Pebble Beach".

WHAT IS "AUTOMOBILES CLASSIQUES A BAGATELLE" ?

The show is divided into three parts.

- the "Concours d'Elegance" : almost 65 cars are rated on historical value, pedigree, restoration... The cars are prestige, sports, race or show cars, ranging from twenties to nineties, with an emphasis on thirties and fifties. Besides the "Best of Show", there are several categorized prizes: best restoration, most elegant car, choice of the audience...
The jury is composed of people like Patrick Le Quement (Renault design's head), Bob Lutz (Chrysler's chairman), Mauro Forghieri (famous engineer, who even worked for Bugatti!), Paul Bracq (designer), Paul Frere (race driver)...

- the thematic exhibit : each year, the organizers choose a topic and six corresponding cars are shown apart from the "Concours d'Elegance".

- other exhibits :Louis Vuitton, co-organizer of the event, shows each year a car with special Louis Vuitton's luggage (in 1995 it was the Renault Initiale concept car).
Sometimes scale models or young designer's mock-ups are shown. Once were also exhibited the De La Chapelle Parcours (stillborn upper-class monospace), "Champagne Krug"'s Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Delivery, or the ItalDesign Machimoto, slowly driving in the alleys.

FRENCH BEST CAR EVENT

"Automobiles Classiques a Bagatelle" immediately became an unavoidable event for any car amateur. Most of the cars are rare ones or one-offs, and there are few repetitions from one year to another: there is always something to discover at Bagatelle.
If following the jury examining each car, it is possible to hear the sound of the engines, because all cars have to be in perfect condition. Isn't it wonderful to listen to the sublime murmur of a Bugatti straight eight, or to the frightening barks and roars of a '71 Ferrari 512 M ? It is also amusing to see the swans and the peacocks that are living all year long in the park quietly sauntering between the cars.

As "Automobiles Classiques a Bagatelle" is a prestigious event, lots of VIPs and jet-set people are there, especially to see their names printed in gossip newspapers. They fortunately spend the week-end all together in big white tents beside the show, so that the true enthusiast can quietly inspect the cars without undergoing uninteresting remarks from ignorant make-belivers. Really a perfect show !

If you are still not convinced that "Automobiles Classiques a Bagatelle" is worth visiting, here is the list of all the "Best of Show"s :


Click on the picture to see a larger version.
Description of the cars on this photo at bottom of page

"AUTOMOBILES CLASSIQUES A BAGATELLE" GUIDE

WHEN ?
Next "Automobiles Classiques a Bagatelle" is scheduled on September 7th (12.00 - 18.30 pm) and 8th (10.00 am - 18.30 pm), 1996.

WHERE ?
Parc de Bagatelle, route de Sevres a Neuilly, Bois de Boulogne.

HOW ?
Metro Ligne 1, station "Pont de Neuilly", then bus 43. or Metro Ligne 1, station "Porte Maillot", then bus 244.

HOW MUCH ?
70 FF (you can get two tickets for 70 FF if you suscribe to "Automobiles Classiques")

If you don't like cars, you will be able to see "Le Petit Chateau de Bagatelle" (built in 64 days by architect Bellanger for Artois' count, in 1775), the english gardens by Blakaie or the famous rosery.

Bugattis at Bagatelle

Here is a report on the Bugattis I've seen at Bagatelle. For twelve cars there are descriptions/ drawings/ photographs. Indicated by a *

In 1990: I've never seen so many Bugattis in such a small place:

In 1991:

In 1992:

In 1993:

In 1994:

In 1995:

Description of the cars

A dozen of the Bugattis at Bagatelle are shown here, including a small drawing, click on drawings or photographs to see a bigger version.

1927 T44 Tourer (Harrington)

8 cylinders,
3 litres,
80hp

1931 T50 Tourer (Abbott)

8 cylinders,
4.9 litre,
200 hp

1932 T55 Super Sport

8 cylinders,
2.3 litre,
135 hp

1932 T50 (Crailville)

8 cylinders,
4.9 litre,
200 hp

The only recent rebody by Crailville, that actually bears their name.

1936 T57 (Van Vooren)

8 cylindres,
3.3 litre,
130 hp

1937 T57 (Sodomka)

8 cylindres,
3.3 litre,
130 hp

1938 T57 Atalante (Gangloff)

8 cylindres,
3.3 litre,
160 hp

1938 T57SC Tourer (Vanden Plas)

8 cylindres,
3.3 litre,
175 hp

1938 T57C Coupe (Van Vooren)

8 cylindres,
3.3 litre,
160 hp

This car won the prize in the catagory "Elegance" against a Bentley 41/4 Fixed head coupe by Van Vooren, a Bugatti Atalante and a Talbot Lago T150SS Faux-cabriolet by Figoni & Falaschi.

1938? T57S/45

8 cylindres,
4.7 litre,
200+ hp

Type 57S chassis with enlarged T59 engine (or reduced T59/50B engine). This car was bought originally in Molsheim by king Leopold of Belgium. It was awarded the "Prix de Trianon". It is now owned by Robert Rubin, New York.

1939 T57C Cabriolet (Letourneur & Marchand)

8 cylindres,
3.3 litre,
160 hp

1939 T57 Coupe (Gangloff)

8 cylindres,
3.3 litre,
160 hp

Jean-Marc Robert bought the chassis 57324 from Alain Spitz's widow in December 1984 (Alain spitz was the president of the French Bugatti club). The chassis was complete and restored. The engine was No.57324, but the gearbox was no.57330. The chassis was supposed to get an Aravis body, but nobody could find the body that Alain Spitz supposedly had bought.
One day Robert found in a booklet edited by the "Fondation Prestige Bugatti" a two-dimensional side-view sketch made at Gangloff, June 19th, 1939 (Sketch No. 4027). Robert went to Gangloff (Which still exists, bodying busses and coaches), which agreed to build the body. They were awfully slow though. Robert asked Rod Jolley (Lymnington, Great Britain) to make it.
As the sketch represented only the side of the car, it wasn't easy to imagine the rest. Robert phoned Lucien Schlatter, the drawer of No.4027, who helped him design the front and rear. The body was built between January 1988 and January 1989. The entire car with full trim was finished September 7th, 1990. The day after it was shown at Bagatelle! It is one of the most beautiful "pre-war" cars: The sporty look of an Atlantic, with the elegance of an Atalante!
Have a look at the photographs below!

Sources, Acknowledgements

The drawings were all published in the catalogue of the exhibition. They were drawn by Serge Bellu, journalist at "Automobiles Classiques" and son of Rene Bellu, famous French car historian.

The photo of the T57C Van Vooren was taken at "Le Parc de Bagatelle" and published in the magazine "Automobile Classiques" No.58 (Oct./Nov. 1993) on page 52.

The photo of the T57S/45 was published in the magazine "Automobile Classiques" No.58 (Oct./Nov. 1993) on page 63.

The "out-door" picture of the Gangloff was taken at the 1990 Bagatelle show, and was published in "Antiquites & Objets d'arts" No.14 (1992).
The two "in-door" pictures of the Gangloff coupe were published in "Automobiles Classiques" No.43 (Apr./May 1991) page 3 and 103. They were made by Michael Zumbrunn, who always shoots cars in a black studio with wonderful lights.

The first overview photograph was published in "Automobiles Classiques" No.58 (Oct./Nov. 1993) on page 47. It shows the thematic exhibit "La carrosserie Francaise". From top to bottom are shown:


The second overview photograph was published in the catalogue of the 1994 exhibit (page 3). It represents the 1993 show. Clockwise from top left: Most information was obtained from the "Automobile Classiques" magazine and the exhibit catalogues.
the Bugatti revue is an at regular intervals appearing magazine, with interesting articles on Bugatti. Otakar Kopecky came with the idea, and will write the first few issues. Authors are invited from all over the world to write a contributing article about some part of the Bugatti history.
This can be parts of history, interesting stories about individual cars, meetings, races in the past etcetera.
Mail the editor if you have any ideas or want to contribute.
Back to the Bugatti revue back issue index

Vive La Marque !!