1931 Bugatti Type 51
1931 Bugatti Type 51 in 10 Anni di Autostrade 1956-1966, Documentary, 1966
Class: Cars, Racecar — Model origin: 
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Background vehicle
Comments about this vehicle
| Author | Message |
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◊ 2021-07-22 10:00 |
Some Bugatti? |
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◊ 2021-07-22 18:02 |
Probably |
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◊ 2021-07-22 20:25 |
Single fuel cap so Type 35 is probable. Is that Tazio Nuvolari? Looks like his driving style. |
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◊ 2021-07-22 20:49 |
What races needed 2-men crew?? Presumably not normal Grand Prix or circuit events?? Maybe a long distance thing like Mille Miglia (started in 1927, but none of the early ones to 1934 had a Bugatti as #2)?? Or?? |
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◊ 2021-07-22 21:12 |
In some long distance races they carried a mechanic in those days. |
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◊ 2021-07-22 21:56 |
type 35. Two-seater since the Grand Prix regulations require the presence of a mechanic alongside the driver -- Last edit: 2021-07-22 21:56:40 |
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◊ 2021-07-22 22:59 |
Cannot find Nuvolari driving a Bugatti in an Italian “F1” type race. However, a Bugatti type 35 won the Targa Florio every year from 1925 to 1929, maybe this is one of those races, but not “Il Mantovano Volante”. |
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◊ 2021-07-22 23:13 |
Link to "commons.wikimedia.org" |
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◊ 2021-07-23 00:09 |
How about Achille Varzi finishing 3rd on 1931 Targa Florio in a T51?? ![[Image: bugatti51avarzi1931targaflorio.jpg]](http://pics.imcdb.org/10314/bugatti51avarzi1931targaflorio.jpg) and Link to "i.pinimg.com" , Link to "patrimonio.archivioluce.com" But that doesn't help with the 1935 Fiat or the mystery #16, unless #16 is the 2nd place finisher Baconin Borzacchini in an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS. -- Last edit: 2021-07-23 10:11:55 |
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◊ 2021-07-23 09:16 |
Having gone through this, my view is that we are in danger of descending to the level of guessers, and there are enough of those here without adding to their numbers. The images are so lacking in detail as to make an accurate identification from appearance impossible, and I intend to offer no further comment, save for the one below. -- Last edit: 2021-07-23 09:24:10 |
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◊ 2021-07-23 09:23 |
Nobody has yet suggested that it’s a Dri-sleeve! https://www.allcarindex.com/production/united-kingdom/dri-sleeve/ |
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◊ 2021-07-23 20:32 |
Belay my previous argument. I think it is Achille Varzi, in the T51. You can clearly see the number “2”, and I think you can see the twin fuel fillers in DSL’s picture. Although you cannot see the T51 type wheels clearly, you can see the two straps (just about) that form an inverted V over the spare wheel, and the driver could be Varzi. T51, good enough for me! |
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◊ 2021-07-23 23:26 |
 For the 1931 event "Instead of an inter-marque battle the Targa Florio now became the personal feuding ground of arch-rivals and ex-Alfa Romeo team-mates, Achille Varzi and Tazio Nuvolari. Varzi borrowed a Bugatti T51 for the 22nd running of the race, which had to revert to the old Grand Madonie circuit (for four laps) after a cyclone destroyed roads and bridges on the Polizzi circuit. For three laps Varzi's red-painted Bugatti remained ahead, but then it rained and the Alfa Rorneos, which were fitted with right-hand wings to protect their drivers from spray, had the advantage. Varzi, exhausted, finished first on the road but the Alfas had more than made up their difference of starting time and a jubilant Nuvolari was acclaimed the winner." from here. No-one seems to know which chassis he borrowed or who he borrowed it from, but the colour was apparently blood red, with French plate 3278-NV-1. Google links it to this page for chassis 51122 without any obvious explanation why. The first 51, chassis 51121 was sold to English privateer Lord Howe, with the next four 51122-25 being reserved as the first batch of works entries; two of these were conversions from 1930 works Type 35Bs - 51122 had been number 4962 and 51125 had been 4961. (from here). |
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