18 Dec Fmm Bugattis at Val de Vie

Following on from the SA Historic Grand Prix Festival that took place in East London on 25 November, the following weekend there was a garden party at Val de Vie in Paarl where the participating overseas and local grand prix cars from the 1934-39 era were on view. They were joined on the estate’s expansive polo field by a vast, impressive display of veteran, vintage, classic and modern cars, the likes of which have never previously been seen together in South Africa. Included in the show were a quartet of FMM’s collection of Bugattis – the 1925 Type 23 Brescia, the 1930 Type 46, 1931 Type 49 and the miniature 1927 Type 52.

Amongst the other cars on view were the inaugural GP-winning Whitney Straight Maserati 8CM, the 1937-winning Pat Fairfield ERA R4A, the MG K3 driven by Dick Seaman in 1934 and the Dick Shuttleworth Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 from the 1936 race. And far from a static display, all of the SAHGP cars were demonstrated on a short road circuit within the estate.

“This was the realisation of a dream,” said event organiser, Mark Woolley from Speedstream Events. “It was the culmination of 19 months of hard work to secure the cars, unpack their history and truly appreciate the contribution South Africa has made to motor sport.”