A superb and rare photo of the engine compartment of the Bugatti Type 251 Formula One factory racing car, photographed during its debut race; the 1956 French Grand Prix which was ridden on the 1ST of July 1956 on the circuit of Reims. Uniquely, the engine was placed behind the rider, and was basically a straight 8-cylinder build up from two coupled straight fours.

Maurice Trintignant would ride the photographed number 28 car during its debut race, it was the only existing one at the time. Unfortunately Trintignant was forced to retire due to mechanical problems during the 18TH lap of the 61 laps long race.

The Bugatti Type 251 was an extraordinary car. In fact, the final resurgence of the original Bugatti was the 251, which was completed in 1955. Designed by Gioacchino Colombo of Ferrari - Maserati - Alfa Romeo fame, it was powered by a new 2.5 L (2486 cc / 151 c.i.) straight-8. Uniquely, this engine was mounted transversely, behind the driver. For the first time in a Bugatti, an oversquare engine was used with a 76 mm bore and 68.5 mm stroke. A de Dion tube rear suspension was also a novelty for the company, though it was in vogue at the time. The Type 251 was entered in the 1956 French Grand Prix, SEE PHOTO, driven by Maurice Trintignant, but retired after 18 laps.

Main technical specs of the Bugatti T215:

Engine: DOHC, straight 8 (two coupled straight 4’s).

Engine position: rear, transversely placed

Bore x stroke: 75 x 68,8 mm.

Displacement: 2.431 cc.

Carburettors: Weber DC042.

Transmission: 5-speed gearbox + dry multidisc clutch.

Chassis: alloy tubular structure.

Brakes: 4 hydraulically operated drums.

Tyre size: 6.00 x 17.

Wheelbase: 2200 mm.

Front track: 1300 mm.

Rear track: 1280 mm.

Weight: 750 kg.

Ettore Bugatti, founder of the automobile company that bears his name, was born in Italy. The Bugatti company however was founded in Molsheim a town in the Alsace region of France. The company was known for both the level of detail of its engineering in its automobiles as well as the artistic way in which the designs were executed, not surprising given the artistic nature of his family. The company also enjoyed great success in early Grand Prix motor racing, winning the first ever Monaco Grand Prix. The company's success culminated with driver Jean-Pierre Wimille winning the 24 hours of Le Mans twice (in 1937 with Robert Benoist and 1939 with Pierre Veyron). Bugatti's cars were as much works of art as they were mechanical creations, with engine blocks hand scraped to ensure that the surfaces were so flat that gaskets were not required for sealing to engine turned finishes on many of the exposed surfaces of the engine compartment, and safety wires threaded through almost every fastener in intricately laced patterns. Rather than bolt the springs to the axles as most manufacturers did, Bugatti's axles were forged such that the spring passed though a carefully sized opening in the axle, a much more elegant solution requiring fewer parts. He regarded his arch competitor Bentley's cars as "the world's fastest trucks" for focusing on durability. According to Bugatti, weight was the enemy. Only a few examples of each of Ettore Bugatti's vehicles were ever produced, the most famous being the Type 35 Grand Prix cars, the "Royale", the Type 57 "Atlantic" and the Type 55 sports car. Throughout the production run of approximately 7,900 cars (of which about 2,000 still exist), each Bugatti model was designated with the prefix T for Type, which referred to the chassis and drive train. During World War II Bugatti worked at Levallois on several new projects, including the Type 73 road car, Type 73C single seater racing car (5 built), and the Type 75. After World War II, a 375 cc supercharged car was canceled when Ettore died.

Bugatti cars were extremely successful in racing, with many thousands of victories in just a few decades. The little Bugatti Type 10 swept the top four positions at its first race. The 1924 Bugatti Type 35 is probably the most successful racing car of all time with over 2,000 wins. Bugattis swept to victory in the Targa Florio for five years straight from 1925 through 1929. Louis Chiron held the most podiums in Bugatti cars, and the 21st century Bugatti company remembered him with a concept car named in his honour. But it was the final racing success at Le Mans that is most remembered-Jean-Pierre Wimille and Pierre Veyron won the 1939 race with just one car and meagre resources.

Ettore Bugatti also designed a successful motorised railcar, the Autorail, and an airplane which never flew. His son, Jean Bugatti, was killed on August 11, 1939 at the age of 30, while testing a Type 57 tank-bodied race car near the Molsheim factory. Subsequently the company's fortunes began to decline. World War II ruined the factory in Molsheim, and the company lost control of the property. During the war, Bugatti planned a new factory at Levallois in Paris and designed a series of new cars. Ettore Bugatti died on August 21, 1947. The company attempted a comeback under Roland Bugatti in the mid-1950s with the mid-engined Type 251 race car. Designed with help from famed Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, and Maserati designer Gioacchino Colombo, the car failed to perform to expectations and the company's attempts at automobile production were halted. In the 1960s, Virgil Exner designed a Bugatti as part of his "Revival Cars" project. A show version of this car was actually built by Ghia using the last Bugatti Type 101 chassis and was shown at the 1965 Turin Motor Show. Finance was not forthcoming and Exner then turned his attention to a revival of Stutz. Bugatti continued producing airplane parts and was sold to Hispano-Suiza (another auto maker turned aircraft supplier) in 1963. Snecma took over in 1968, later acquiring Messier. The two were merged into Messier-Bugatti in 1977. Today the name is owned by Volkswagen AG who have revived it as a builder of very limited production sports cars.

This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Bugatti ‘s automotive history in a wonderful way.  This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 9" (ca. 20 x 23 cm).  It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.

Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!

 (Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)

No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.

All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.

 We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.

After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!

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