Immortalising a Bugatti: Ernest Friderich and the birth of the Brescia

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If you'd been born in Paris in 1886, become a right-hand man and successful works driver for Ettore Bugatti, built a V16 engine for Duesenberg in America, opened a Bugatti dealership in Nice later in life and raised two sons who made names for themselves in racing, it seems safe to say that you may well have led a wonderful life. That was real life, however, or at least a very rough outline of it, for Ernest Friderich.

Friderich certainly was an interesting figure, and we see him here behind the wheel of the Bugatti Type 13, better-known as the Brescia. In fact, he was the man who can claim responsibility for that nickname. Firstly, Friderich drove a Type 13 in the French Grand Prix at Le Mans in July, 1911. Not only did he win his class, but he came second overall to a much bigger FIAT powered by a six-litre engine—that was impressive. The next 10 years of racing Bugattis in Europe and America saw him accumulate more victories.

The most inspiring one of them all must have been when our man Friderich made it to the Italian Gran Premio della Vetturette near Brescia in September, 1921, now with a 16-valve Type 22. The race consisted of 20 laps on a non-asphalted 10.7-mile route, which Friderich won after covering the 216 miles in less than three hours, averaging a most impressive 71.9 mph over dusty gravel roads. The Bugatti team finished in the top four places, earning the little 16-valve Bugatti the Brescia moniker. Congratulations, Monsieur Friderich!

Words: Jeroen Booij; Picture: source unknown

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