Mary Decker Vack with Admiral Ebert and the Type 35.
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Elizabeth Junek, Hellé Nice, and Miranda Seymour weren't the only women to enjoy the power, speed and ecstasy of a Bugatti Type 35. Once upon a time (over 20 years ago to be more specific), Mary Decker Vack, wife of the editor, had a chance to become intimately friendly with a Type 35. Like others who have experienced Ettore's masterpiece, the adventure was not easily forgotten.
The Ebert Bugatti
The particular Bugatti in question had an interesting but sheltered life. Serial number 4777, it was a normal 2-liter straight-eight, unblown, and was purchased by an unknown Frenchman in 1926. It passed into the hands of a young man from Nice, Frederick Ayuso, who equipped it for the road and kept it for the next 34 years. Found by a US Naval officer, it was purchased and brought to the United States. Scott Ebert became the third owner of the Bugatti, and it traveled the world with him as he climbed the ranks to become a Rear Admiral.
We met Ebert in the mid eighties, thanks to the courtesy of Morgan addict John Sheally, III. Writing then for Car Collector, we featured the Ebert Bugatti in that magazine in 1985. Later that summer, Ebert entered the car in the Pittsburg Vintage Grand Prix. There, we covered the event for Vintage Motorsport, and I asked the good Admiral if the Vintage Motorsport photographer could take a few practice laps with him around the dark and dangerous Schenley Park circuit.
In Virginia Beach, prior to the event at Pittsburgh. The author, right, settles into the Bugatti as Ebert shows him the starting procedure.
Photo by John Sheally, III.
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Schenley Park
Schenley Park is perhaps the ultimate vintage venue in the U.S., for it is a natural, tree lined course which normally is used as a way to enjoy Pittsburgh's large facility. In 1984, Henry Wessells dived off the road with his ex-Peron Alfa 3000CM, nearly destroying it in the process. (Read Peron's Alfa) The 1985 event featured Bugatti, and the late Bill Serri also lost track of the course, bending his Type 51 in the process.
Mary donned a vintage cloth driving cap (she says they called them "brain buckets" since, if you crashed, your brains would be retrieved in the cloth cap) and climbed into the Bugatti next to Ebert. "I don't remember being scared or nervous, but I was excited. I knew that Ebert was a very good driver and wouldn't let anything happen to his Bugatti."
Cloth helmet
on, magneto on, Mary is ready to start her most unforgettable ride.
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Good Vibrations
Ebert started the Bugatti up, warming it thoroughly before heading out on the track. Bugattis, like pre-war Alfas, are very mechanical objects. The only soft material anywhere on the car is the tires, which are pretty hard as tires go anyway. "The vibration was awesome, yet in tune with itself. It doesn't shake itself apart, but I distinctly heard the sound of the roller bearing crank over the valves, while the roar went out the exhaust pipe, well behind me."
Once out on the track, the Bugatti seemed more like a railroad train, tracking through the corners as if on rails, accompanied by the sound of protesting rubber, the smell of hot oil, and the sound of a straight-eight in full flight. Ebert was taking advantage of the almost empty track to see what could be wrung from the sixty-year old Grand Prix car before the race. "Ebert was in full control, but I knew full well he was driving hard, for we were traveling just about as fast as the Bugatti could muster. I was trying hard not to fall out of the cockpit."
Fast, tricky,
and thoroughly entertaining, the Schenley Park circuit in 1985 was
a true vintage venue.
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Grand Prix Bugattis, even un-supercharged, are not slow cars by any means. "We were screaming down through Panther Hollow, the fastest portion of the track. My face was pulled back and it felt like I was in a category four hurricane wind. But Scott wouldn't let off for a minute--I could see that he was concentrating hard. Through the corners, he was all arms and elbows, using a sawing motion to keep the car on the crowned road."
All a very long time ago; the Bugatti Type 35 is now 80 years old, but sold by Ebert a few years ago to collector Bill Binnie; Ebert now races a Dreyer Ford at Lime Rock.
But however brief, a fast ride in a Type 35 is still vivid twenty years on. "I consider myself fortunate that I am one of the few who had the experience of riding in a Bugatti Type 35 at speed, something I'll never forget."
