The 1928 Bugatti Type 35B (above, photo courtesy of FIVA) that won the very first Monaco Grand Prix has been awarded a preservation trophy by the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille event on Sunday September 4.
This Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix racecar (s/n 4914) was constructed in Molsheim, France, in February 1928, and driven to victory by William Charles Frederick Grover-Williams (known as “Williams”) in the inaugural Monaco Grand Prix on April 14, 1929. Within two further years, the car had been retired from racing and was subsequently used as a road car. In 1954 it was bought at auction by Edmond Escudier, who owned it until 2005, when it was sold to the present owners.
As FIVA celebrates its 50th anniversary with the FIVA World Motoring Heritage Year program under the formal patronage of UNESCO, its preservation award recognizes vehicles that retain much of their original components, materials and finishes, and as such represent important cultural artifacts.
“This Bugatti Type 35B is an exceptionally well-preserved example that still bears the original craftsmanship of the Bugatti factory at Molsheim,” commented FIVA President Patrick Rollet. “We are honored to have UNESCO Ambassador Khalil Karam from Lebanon and UNESCO Ambassador Laurent Stefanini from France join us for the presentation of this FIVA World Motoring Heritage Year preservation award. Meanwhile, the owners are to be congratulated on their stewardship — and for sharing this wonderful automotive artifact with the general public.”
For further information please visit www.fiva.org
