Bugatti Argentina by Cristián Bertschi & Estanislao Iacona

Bugatti Argentina
by Cristián Bertschi & Estanislao Iacona
A limited edition of 1400 books.
Authors: Cristián Bertschi & Estanislao Iacona
Date of publishing: February 2007
Publisher: whitefly
Pages: 278
Photos: 208 black & white, duotone
Cover: hardback
Size: 30 x 25 cm
Language: English / Spanish
www.whitefly.cc
* High quality printing and paper.
The book.
Bugatti Argentina reflects the Argentine passion for car racing prevailing during the pre-war years and particularly the affinity that some drivers felt for the French make during the twenties. This is the first time in Argentina that a book has been written relating the history which commenced in 1924, when the first Type 30 arrived and continued until the sixties when Bugatti fans devoted themselves to salvaging and restoring the cars. The trend resurged during the nineties with a new group of collectors. Bugatti created over the years a mystique which continues intact until the present day.
In August 2005 we published Alfa Romeo Argentina, a book dedicated to the history and background of the make and its relationship with Argentina. During those years of hard work and research we came across the name of a make which repeatedly occupied the top ranking positions during the twenties and thirties, namely, Bugatti. This showed us the outstanding importance vested in these cars during the pre-war years and their undeniable contribution to local car racing. This fact was augmented by the role played by Roberto Bitito Mieres with his Type 51 in the races held by the Club de Automóviles Sport added to the number of Bugatti fans who over the years had patiently devoted themselves to discovering and restoring a great many cars.
Our experience with the Alfa Romeo Argentina book led us to embark upon a task involving similar research on Bugatti, since we were convinced that the history of the make in Argentina had to be divulged and would prove to be a valuable contribution to Bugatti lovers as well as to literature on the subject.
Contents
The Bugatti Family
The work and history of the family is as diverse as it is original. No other car maker used the Bugatti techniques and intuition, and no other car maker came from a family of artists as Ettore Bugatti did. This chapter introduces the readers into the world, atmosphere and creations of the whole family.
Argentine mission in the usa
For the 1923 edition of the Indy 500 Mile Race, an argentinean, Martín Macoco del Álzaga Unzué, purchased 3 new cars for the race, featuring Raúl Riganti (Argentina), Pierre de Vizcaya (France) and Macoco himself as drivers. The cars were not what de Álzaga had order, but refurbished old chassis and engines, and all quited the race in early stages. De Alzaga was not happy with Le Patron at all!
The first Bugattis
Since 1924 the Molsheim cars started racing in our country, but was in 1925 when an agent begun doing bussines in Buenos Aires. Luis Tirasso & Cía. sa, was the sale organization as well as service for Bugatti. All cars came from the official importer in Brazil, Matarazzo & Cía. Luis Tirasso sa did an important advertising campaign, and hired italian Vittorio Coppoli as cheif mechanic and driver.
The races
Bugatti won, from 1926 to 1936 all main important races in Argentina, including the famous 500 Miles of Rafaela.
Bitito Mieres’ Type 51
One of the few cars built was rescued in Italy by former Formula One driver Roberto Bitito Mieres in 1949, and imported to argentina the same year. The car was property of Achille Varzi, and Bitito’s tale of how he managed to purchase the car is a one off.
Results
Statistics of all races in which a Bugatti took part.
The Bugattis at the Buenos Aires Zoo
The Buenos Aires Zoo purchased in 1930 some Type 52 cars to be rented for kids. This small baby Bugatti remained in service until 1942. Many previously unreleased pictures from the Archivo General de la Nación show the tiny cars almost mint when just arrived to the Zoo.
To the rescue. Bugatti Register Argentina
In early 60s a group of enthusiasts and Bugatti fans started the rescue of the cars, most of them abandoned, canibalized or just almost destroyed because of the years of racing. This chapter includes a biography of the two main argentine Bugattists, Horacio Speratti and Enrique Sánchez Ortega, as well as a register of cars, inlcuding those once in Argentina and the ones that arrived in the late 90s.
whitefly was created in 2004 by Estanislao Iacona and Cristián Bertschi for the purpose of salvaging and safeguarding the history of the Argentine car industry.
Our main project, ambitious without doubt, is to publish a three-stage trilogy, on Alfa Romeo / Ferrari / Maserati in Argentina. Other undertakings such as this one, Bugatti Argentina, will be progressively incorporated with the passage of time.