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430 podiums including
151 victories place Bugatti among the most decorated and consistant constructors
in international motor sport. The lion's share of this extraordinary record
was of course earned by the illustrious T.35 and its derivitives, dominating
scores of Grand Prix over the decade 1925 through 1935.
But it was a new generation that spawned the car that brought arguably
racing's most desired laurels to Molsheim...---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------under
the ambitious auspices of Jean Bugatti, when three type 57S chassis were prepared
for and entered in the French Grand Prix at Montlhéry. Mechanically
very similar to the standart model the new race tuned car was doted with several
aerodynamic body. When the chequered flag waved home Bugatti ahead of favorites
Talbot and Delahaye the public might only have been half surprised , so convincingly
had the Alsacians dominated in previous years. 
If
Bugatti winning astounded no one, this particular Bugatti astonished everyone.
Popularly rebaptised "tank", the T.57G
wasted no time in confirming its superiority, claiming first and second places
at Reims and setting a new world hour record (218km). Clearly though Ettore
and Jean had a goal above all others in mind for their new champion, and where
determined that the prize would elude them no longer...
---------- ---- --- -- ------- -------- Two Tanks took to the grid, with the duty of accomplishing this noble mission. After 13 hours of battle, the valiant Veyron and Labric in the 5th place were forced to abandon with a ruptured fuel tank. Meanwhile Robert Benoist and Jean-Pierre Wimille and the other car found themselves with the luxury of not having to rely on their unfortunate team-mates, leading the race from the early hours and running without the slightest mechanical problem. In a majestic display of consistant and aggressive driving and benefiting from the unfealing reliability of their fantastic machine, the Bugatti team flew home uncontested victors, establishing new lap and distance records. The Tank inscribed the great marque in gold letters for ever to be recalled in the history of the greatest endurance race of all.-------------------------------- ----------------------- ---- -No car was entered the following year but Bugatti returned to the Sarthe in 1939 with another Tank. This time on a T.57 chassis and supercharged, victory was renewed. Celebrations however were shortlived for it was at the wheel of this same car that Jean, in the prime of his life and art, was tragically killed. Paradoxycally, the Tank, a success and renaissance, marked also the beginning of a decline and fall. for Bugatti, it was, and remains, a testament of what might have been. But perhaps more than that it was a model that shaped the future for other great names to follow.
Life for the 57 G began in 1936,