Building a sound future requires respect for the past. It is in this spirit that, since 2007, Motul has supported the Fondation du Patrimoine in its restoration of the rolling motor vehicle heritage.
Among the vehicles that have been saved or restored to their former glory over the past four years, two of them are currently exhibited on Motul's stand 'Rekindling Passion' at Rétromobile – the famous French show devoted to collectors' vehicles – until 5 February.
For one of them, the restoration work is finished. We are referring to the Bugatti Torpedo Type 28, whose chassis was presented at the Paris Show of 1921 and is considered as a kind of prototype of the future eight cylinder engine Bugattis. Exhibited at the Schlumpf collection museum in Mulhouse, it was carefully studied and painstakingly restored: 'Had the restoration to be faithful to the original prototype or had it to take account of improvements made subsequently?' asks Richard Keller, chief curator. "Concern for the authenticity of the original prototype prevailed.' Thanks to cooperation from extremely competent and enthusiastic workshops, the Bugatti Torpedo Type 28 can once again show its important place in the history of the make.
The other car on the Motul stand has not yet been restored so you can see the scale of the work to be done. It is the small Mathis Type P torpedo dating from 1923 which belongs to the museum of Valençay and complies with Emile Mathis' precepts: 'Weight, that's the enemy'. Its light bodywork indeed gave it honourable performances for reasonable consumption. It is also amusing to note that Emile Mathis and Ettore Bugatti worked in association at the beginning of the 20th century to produce Hermès-Simplex.
Last, a third vehicle, also restored as part of the partnership between the Fondation du Patrimoine and Motul is also on display at the show: a Saurer Diesel Type 1 CRD lorry from 1936 which the public can admire on Fondation Berliet's stand.
