To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bugatti Type 35, Club Bugatti France organized a special tour from Molsheim, the birthplace of the brand, to Lyon where the Type 35 was first shown at the 1924 Grand Prix de Lyon.
The tour started with an invitation to the Bugatti premises in Molsheim where the brand was born in 1909. Enthusiasts from all over the world gathered in this French town chosen by Ettore Bugatti himself for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of 100 years of motoring.
The Type 35: An Icon of Innovation
Launched in 1924, the Type 35 was a lightweight, powerful and perfectly balanced racing car. It scored over 2,500 racing victories in its short racing life, a record that will never be beaten.
The Type 35 summed up Bugatti’s philosophy of high performance, beautiful craftsmanship and innovation, values that still inspire Bugatti today.
Five Type 35 were entered for the 1924 Grand Prix at Lyon, a new era of motorsport had begun and speed, agility and elegance were to become the perfect blend.
The 1924 Grand Prix de Lyon was organized by the Automobile Club de France and consisted of 35 laps of a 23.1 km road circuit, a milestone that would forever link Bugatti to the world of motorsport.
Commemorating a Milestone: The Tour Begins
To mark this occasion Bugatti Club France organized a special event that started in Molsheim on May 13 and ended in Lyon on May 20. Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti Automobiles, welcomed the participants and their 49 classic cars, 23 of which were Type 35, including one of the original 5 cars that raced in 1924.
12 historic Bugatti Grand Prix cars, including several Type 37 and 51 were on display around the Château Saint-Jean. Guests also admired 6 beautiful Baby II Type 35 Centenary Edition, a car created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Type 35.
After breakfast at Château Saint Jean, the participants set off on a 1,000 km journey to Lyon, following the exact route that Bugatti Type 35 took from the factory to the track in the 1920s. This was not only a tribute to the car’s racing heritage but also a nostalgic journey for the enthusiasts.
The Largest Public Bugatti Collection: Musée National de l’Automobile
In Mulhouse, the guests visited the Musée National de l’Automobile, a treasure trove of automotive history and home to one of the biggest Bugatti collections in the world.
This museum has more than 600 revolutionary and iconic cars and over 100 of the most famous Bugatti models. The collection was acquired by the Schlumpf brothers over 30 years and includes models from the Bugatti Type 28 to the Bugatti Royale of 1930, each chosen for its historical importance and beauty.
Serene Beauty: Lac de Saint-Point
After the museum, the tour went to Malbuisson where the participants enjoyed the calm of Lac de Saint-Point. The peaceful surroundings of the lake was the perfect setting for an evening of contemplation and relaxation.
This journey was full of symbolism, from the Vosges mountains to the Lyon plateau, the participants were tested in different weather conditions. From the warmth of the sun on their leather jackets to the cold rain, each participant felt like a champion gladiator.
Driving these old cars in the rain, with the sound of water against the bodywork and limited visibility through the goggles, the participants felt more alive and more connected to their cars.
Celebrating in Lyon: A Historic Reunion
On the last leg the tour arrived in Lyon and joined the 1924 Grand Prix de Lyon celebrations.
The event had 120 pre-war cars and 50 Bugatti cars, organized by the Amis du Vieux Brignais association in collaboration with the 3A-Amateurs d’Automobiles Anciennes Club and the Association Forezienne d’Amateurs d’Automobiles de Collection. A dinner gala concluded this wonderful week of emotion and passion.
The tour ended with a beautiful drive through the Monts du Lyonnais, where the participants could enjoy their racing cars one more time. The French landscapes, the roads and the mountain passes were the perfect ending to a wonderful journey that started at the Bugatti home in Molsheim.
Olivier Bohin, organiser of the tour and a member of Club Bugatti France, expressed his delight at bringing together Bugatti enthusiasts from nine countries to celebrate this historic milestone. “We are delighted to have brought together Bugatti enthusiasts from across the globe, travelling from nine countries, to celebrate the historic milestone of the Bugatti Type 35,” Bohin said.
He emphasised the significance of starting the event in Molsheim, where Ettore Bugatti’s adventure began, highlighting the importance of connecting the past with the present. “Connecting the past to the present is a value that is intrinsically important for both the Bugatti brand and Club Bugatti France, allowing for our guests to feel the connection and experience emotional moments that will last a lifetime.”
