1928 BUGATTI 35/51 « PETIT COUPÉ FRIDERICH » RECONSTRUCTION

French title
Chassis n° 4775

• Unique model
• Spectacular reconstruction quality
• Still being run in

Inspired by the coupé 37 conceived by Ernest Friderich, the former driver and Bugatti agent, this evocation was the last project that Bruno and François worked on. We have to go back to 17 May 1968 to find the starting point for this car. For the sum of 2 800 F, Bruno Lafourcade purchased a Bugatti 35 n°4775, in parts and reasonably complete apart from the engine and gearbox, from 'Démolitions Automobiles', the business of Antoine Raffaëlli, based in Aubagne. These parts remained in storage with Raffaëlli for some thirty years before Bruno Lafourcade collected them, while he was buying parts for an Alfa Romeo 1750 GS that he was in the process of rebuilding at that time.
In 2008, the two accomplices were debating what to do with this scrapyard wreck. 'In my archives, I had seen a little coupé driven by Friderich on hillclimbs', remembers François Chevalier. 'And a well-known photo where Friderich, who was not a small man, was sitting on the front deflector of this car.' The decision was taken: it would no longer be a 35, but would become this little coupé! Unfortunately, there was no rear view picture of the car and François Chevalier made lots of sketches before finding the perfect shape. The rest was simple: Bruno wanted to fit an 8-cylinder engine but all the momentum of the car comes from the 'small' radiator. 'We therefore opted for a 51 without a compressor that was less liable to overheating. We fitted a carburettor as was used after the war when compressors were banned in competition.' The indispensable LaurentRondoni of Ventoux Motors Ingénierie immersed himself in the mechanical side of the project, and the Lafourcade-Chevalier duo occupied themselves with the bodywork. The wood trim was partially renewed by a specialist from Barbentane and the aluminium panel work by a craftsman from Beausset. The faultless construction of this automobile took several years to complete and required significant resources (comprehensive file of invoices supplied with the car). This Bugatti 35/51 'Petit Coupé Friderich' made its first appearance at the International Bugatti Meeting in Provence. 'I think it’s fantastic as it’s a nod to the car but not in a rigid way. It’s not a caricature.' concludes François Chevalier. 'Ultimately, it’s a fun thing, a pretty little monster.' This Bugatti, built with a level of care that must be applauded, is a fine tribute to Ernest Friderich, a loyal supporter of the marque. Still being run in, this Bugatti deserves a spot in any enthusiast’s garage.

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1928-bugatti-3551-reconstruction-petit-coupe-friderich-4134-117