Bugatti Suisses en CompétitionSwiss Bugattis in CompetitionBy Lionel Decrey This book was announced before, but has since been radically improved and expanded.
In addition, there are chapters describing in detail the type 36 technically and his racing results, the type 45, 47 and 53 competition achievements as most of them took place in Switzerland and last, the difficult development of Bugatti’s eight cylinders 1500-1100 cc engines.
Les voitures de grandes marques se conduisent, les Bugatti se pilotent! The cars of big brands are driven; Bugattis are raced! Review by Jaap Horst 11-1-2026I have known Lionel for several decades now, well known of course as the publisher of some of the most famous and sought-after Bugatti books, notably the books on the T57S by Pierr-Yves Laugier, and the book on early Bugatti history (until 1021) by Norbert Steinhauser. For decades Mr. Decrey has worked on the history of the Bugattis in Switzerland, and now finally has put it all together in one book (in 3 volumes). I have not found the time yet to read it all, but from what I did read I can see all these decades of research. Very detailed stories on all the races and race drivers, men and women, famous as well as hitherto unknown. And all this, without becoming a boring follow-up of facts. Interestingly the race history is not told by race driver, but by car (Chassis no.)! The book is an absolute must for the Bugattiste, many stories of unknown cars and unknown drivers. And, almost more important, loads of period photographs of both! Race cars are followed during their (known) lives, and this sometimes involved a rebody into a different or more modern style, various examples of these have found their way into this book also. Personally, I have had a long lasting interest in re-bodied Bugattis. And that means Bugattis that received a new body, which is more modern than the car itself. Many examples are known of Bugattis that received a more modern Bugatti after WW2, but some 1920's cars received a new, modern body already in the 1930's. Maybe this will be a subject for a book one day.... Below a few examples of these, thanks to Lionel Decrey.
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 The Brescia, Chassis 2563, engine 992, was received by Willy Escher in 1925. On July 19, he attains 2nd place in the 1st race in which he takes part with the car. He soon sells the car, also in 1925. In 1951 the then aged Brescia is bought by Walter Heiniger, who transforms it into a modern sportscar, resembling a baby XK120. |
 The Brescia, Chassis 2563, engine 993 was received in 1925 by the new Bugatti Concessionaire for Switzerland, Dietrich Forcart. He also starts racing straight away on July 19, attaining 3rd place behind Willy Escher. He soon sells the Bugatti to Schneider, who starts racing in 1926. After WW2 the car is owned by Albert Pulver from Basel, it is then already modernised into a roadster, probably somewhen between 1935 and 1938. |
 Photo received from Lionel (not in the book) of a Brescia Roadster from the Swiss coachbuilder Frech-Hoch from Sissach. It seems that a body from another car was used, the rear wheels do not properly fit in the fenders.
On the very interesting website about Frech-Hoch, a company founded in 1899, a 2nd picture of the same Brescia was found, shown below.
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 Brescia, Chassis 2761, photo received from Lionel (not in the book). Car owned or modified by Brigal. |
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18-11-2025 / 11-1-2026
