Motor Sport Magazine - February 1968

H. G. Conway has set himself up as the Bugatti historian, as well as owning and driving some very choice examples of this exclusive marque-some say that he invented the Bugatti! Consequently, much is expected of anything he contributes to this subject. Fortunately, Conway is extremely painstaking and goes into great detail, so any book from his pen and archives about Bugatti is an event.

In this latest volume he covers in meticulous detail the Grand Prix Bugatti cars, which in their various forms won so many races and are of classic two-seater road-racing car form. A good deal of information and illustration has appeared previously, particularly in Bugantics, the beautifully-produced monthly magazine of the Bugatti O.C., which has been an accepted and much-appreciated part of the sporting motoring scene since long before the war and which now covers Ferrari as well as Bugatti topics. This is inevitable and does not materially detract from "Grand Prix Bugatti," which is lavishly illustrated and which gives so much fascinating information. It covers G.P. Bugatti successes race by race but goes further than "The Racing History of the Bentley" by dealing with the mechanical aspects of the cars in addition, even to drawings of chassis frames, axles, bodywork, cylinder blocks, brake systems and many other items, not forgetting facia layouts.

Indeed, the book contains 127 photographs and 27 line drawings, and has a handsome dust-jacket depicting Moffatt's 1924 Type 35 photographed in colour by G. Nicholls. The chapters take in racing history and design and construction in two separate parts, and the appendices give technical data and list all known owners of Type 37, 35, 43 and 51 Bugattis. The Type 43 is included in the book, although strictly a sports car. Apart from minor errors, such as listing one Type 37 owner as living in Hampshire whereas he resides in Surrey and the disappointment of such a valuable book being given photogravure pictures and rather inferior paper, this is essential reading for the World's Bugatti enthusiasts.-W. B.

Review from and courtesy of Motor Sport Magazine - February 1968

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/february-1968/34/grand-prix-bugatti