The very first winner of the Monte Carlo Grand Prix has been awarded the prestigious preservation trophy by FIVA.

The 1928 Bugatti Type 35B (s/n 4914) 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 4^th September.

The FIVA preservation award recognises vehicles that retain much of their original components, materials and finishes and as such are important cultural artefacts. 

The 2016 awards are part of the FIVA World Motoring Heritage Year celebration under the patronage of UNESCO. Mr Patrick Rollet, President of FIVA, presented the award with Khalil Karam, the UNESCO Ambassador for Lebanon, and Laurent Stefanini, the UNESCO Ambassador for France.

This Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix race car 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 14 April 1929. During the 1928 and 1929 seasons, racing greats Louis Chiron, Robert Benoist and René Dreyfus also drove the car – to four other Grand Prix podium finishes. By 1931, the car had retired from racing, and was subsequently used as a road car. In 1954, s/n 4914 was bought at auction by Edmond Escudier, who owned the car until 2005, when it was sold to the present owners.

Among the most well-preserved Grand Prix cars of the period, the Bugatti retains its first paint buried under the layers of colours it displayed during its active years of racing. Chips of the paint were subjected to a sophisticated analysis by experts at Glasurit to document the colour of each layer of paint, while almost all the engine and mechanical components are those originally fitted to the vehicle. Amazingly, the leather straps on the bonnet and seats are all believed to be original – as are the Bugatti alloy wheels.

Commented FIVA President Patrick Rollet, “This Bugatti Type 35B is an exceptionally well-preserved example that still bears the original craftsmanship of the Bugatti factory at Molsheim. We are honoured 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 artefact with the general public.”

The FIVA preservation award jury for the 2016 Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille comprised FIVA Executive Vice President and ADAC Advisor, Dr Mario Thiessen; FIVA Vice President and President of the Historic Vehicle Association, Mark Gessler; and FIVA Ambassadors for the Middle East and South America, Rony Karam and Alec Daly.

Images (courtesy of FIVA):

1) Pictured left to right: Khalil Karam, UNESCO Ambassador for Lebanon; Laurent Stefanini, UNESCO Ambassador for France; Patrick Rollet, President of FIVA; Uwe Schüler and companion representing the owners.
2) The Bugatti Type 35B with the stunning Château de Chantilly in the background.

FIVA is the only global organisation of its kind aiming to encourage the safe use on the roads of historic, self-propelled, mechanical vehicles, while remaining equally focused on preserving and promoting the very culture of motoring. In 2016, FIVA celebrates its 50th anniversary with the FIVA World Motoring Heritage Year programme under the formal patronage of UNESCO.