Pre-War Cars at Montlhéry Printemps 2015

Because it is a circuit with a long history racing dating back to 1925, it is always nice to see these very valuable Pre-War cars out on the Linas-Montlhéry circuit.  At the Coupes des Printemps 31 March 2015 there was a variety from Delage and Bugatti GP cars to an unusual Morgan.

1. 1923 B.N.C.
One of the oldest cars at the meeting was this 1923 BNC.  BNC, Bollack, Netter & Co,  was a small car manufacturer in Paris in the 1920s.  This was one of their first cars.

1923 BNC in the paddock at Montlhéry

2. Morgan Monotrace

This strange motorbike/car going out onto the circuit and following the Alfa is a Morgan Monotrace

Undercarriage up and up to full speed!

The Monotrace had two seats one behind the other as on a motor bike but had bodywork unlike a motorbike and two stabiliser wheels when going slowly.  Very strange!

This was a French Marque that had nothing to do with the British Morgan company.  These unusual machine were built in the twenties.

This contraption got the most attention in the paddock aside from the Alpine Renaults!








3. 1936 Riley Sprite

Riley was a successful British sports car achieving some success at Le Mans and in the Tourist Trophy with cars such as these.

1936 Riley Sprite at Montlhéry

4. 1927 Delage 15 S 8
Cars like this dominated the Grand prix of 1926 and 1927 with drivers such as the great Robert Benoist winning the World Championship for Delage.  Victories included the French GP at Montlhéry.  They were supercharged 8 cylinder machines.  Some later raced in the thirties with ERA engines.

Delage 15 S 8 at the Montlhéry chicane

5. Delage D6 Special
Delage produced the D6 during the thirties and also immediately after the war.  Some were used successfully for racing.  I think this one is from around 1936.  A very beautiful car.

Delage D6 exiting the Montlhéry chicane

Delage D6 at speed on the Montlhéry start finish straight

6. Bugatti
Their were at least three Bugattis at the circuit including examples of T35B and T51.

Two Bugatti T35Bs on the Montlhéry banking.  In the twenties cars often raced with a riding mechanic so appropriate to have two in each car.

Bugatti T35B in the Montlhéry pitlane

Bugatti T35B heading out of the chicane at Montlhéry

7. Memorial
Just outside the gate at Montlhéry is a superb memorial to two brave and fast French racing drivers, Robert Benoist and Georges Boillot, who were killed fighting for their country in World War I and II.  If you go to Montlhéry don't miss it.