French racing ace Madame Itier´s Grand Prix Bugatti and Roadster on BOC stand

 
Type 51A
Just 41 Type 51 Bugattis were built originally – only 8 of these were to 1.500 cc Type 51A specs.

85 years ago, in 1933, French amateur racer, Anne-Cécile Itier, ordered her T51A built to 1.500 cc. size to be able to compete with the big names of the 30´ies, but on a budget more suited for an amateur. Clever thinking, as it would allow class wins against stiff male opposition. To meet her order the Bugatti works selected a Type 35 from the inventory and converted it to Type 51A specification giving it chassis number, 51142. With this car Mme. Itier competed for 5 seasons in more than 30 events. Following the 1937 season the GP was pensioned off and rebuilt into a road going sportscar shortly before the war. A not uncommon practise for old racers that were either loved by their owners or still had enough quality for a second lease of life.

Historical research
Henrik Schou-Nielsen, long term owner: “This Bugatti´s fascinating history is well known now, but made almost world news when finally researched and documented by French ace historian, Pierre-Yves Laugier, Its racing past had been forgotten with the passage of time and no one had paid much attention to old stories of an earlier lady owner!”  The full story was extensively written up by Octane magazine a few years ago following the presentation of both cars in France and UK. Now both cars can be seen on the club stand of the Bugatti Owners Club at the Classic Motor Show   

Few owners – from Paris to Copenhagen
Amazingly the T51A turned roadster was last raced at the Swiss Grand Prix August 1937 – and never again. It appears to have had only 5 registered owners since 1933, 2 of which were women, and the car seems to have stayed in Paris till the late 50íes, where it was bought by a Dane.

Separated into 2 cars
With its fascinating racing history we had to rebuild this historic Grand Prix car in its original form as owned and raced by Anne-Cécile Itier. It is part of French Grand Prix history, and an important racing car. So the world was searched to complete the missing original parts.  Meanwhile just as rewarding, was to reconstruct the roadster onto a new frame as this Art Deco roadster body was just too stunning not to be seen rolling again.

Presentation at Retromobile, Paris, and Goodwood
Following the exhausting and meticulous restorations the Itier 51A and the Roadster were presented first time in 50 years in native Paris and later at Goodwood Revival. Now, both cars will be seen together again on the BOC stand of the Classic Motor Show in Birmingham.

Where
Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham
Bugatti Owners Club stand

When
9^th Nov. – 11^th Nov.

Henrik Schou-Nielsen – [email protected]

Acknowledgement:
Bugatti Owners Club
The Bugatti Trust

Preparation:
TULA Precision Ltd
Historit Ltd. Bicester Heritage                             
 

Anne-Cécile Itier was the most active female racing amateur in France prewar. She participated in everything from Grand Prix racing to hill climbs and rallies. She entered Le Mans five times – a female record – and ran the Monte Carlo seven times. Her peers were Hellé Nice and Elizabeth Junek. The car she used for most races of her competitive years was that long lost T51A – turned roadster.   

Photo 1: Anne Itier, Type 51A, Swiss Grand Prix 1937
Photo 2: The Madame Itier T51A and Roadster
Photo 3: Madame Itier in T51A, ch.no. 51142, at the Nürburgring Eifelrennen 1934 
Photo 4: The Roadster at Goodwood Festival of Speed