The Brescia Bugatti – A Special Centenary

The Bugatti Trust is delighted to reopen its doors to the public following the latest government announcement for the museum sector with a brand-new exhibition celebrating the centenary of the famous ‘Gran Premio d’Italia Vetturette’ race at Brescia, Northern Italy, held September 8th, 1921.

Bugatti secured the top 4 places in this race with a 4-cylinder 16 valve model and, thereafter, including its longer wheelbase touring derivatives, it became known as ‘The Brescia’ Bugatti. It was one of Ettore’s most successful models and in the years to 1926 over 2000 were made. The 16 valve Brescia model can be said to be the foundation on which the success of the factory was built.

The exhibition opening this month will explore the race, the cars, the differences in coach work for the racing and touring models but also one of the company’s most important employees. Ernst Friderich who was at the wheel of the winning Type 13 contributed to the history of Bugatti right from the beginning, joining Ettore as early as 1904. He also raced at Indianapolis and when Bugatti’s aero engine went to America, he oversaw its testing. After leaving Bugatti in 1924, he set up a leading dealership in Nice. Significantly he also set up a racing school with illustrious names such as Dreyfus, Wimille, Chiron, Czaykowski and Toselli on the list of past pupils.

A star exhibit will be the original winner’s plaque awarded to Mr. Friderich and Bugatti on the morning of September 8th, 1921. It is part of The Bugatti Trust’s permanent collection and a most beautiful ‘Targa’. Also on display will be cars, artifacts and historic film footage from our archives showing Brescias in action.