Tag Archives: Danaher

Raph’s ’38 Voiturette – Maserati 6CM #1556

With the State funded Mercedes Benz and Auto Union teams battling for major open wheel Grand Prix honours from the mid to late 1930’s with the occasional interruption only offered by Alfa Romeo many wealthy drivers were left with little alternative but to contest Grand Prix run for 1.5 litre / 91.5 cui voiturette open wheel single seater, monopost, racing cars.

Among the successful manufacturers of such Voiturettes were Bugatti with their 8 cylinder Type 39, ERA, English Racing Automobiles, which was founded to manufacture vehicles soley for Voiturette racing using a derivative of a Riley 6 cylinder motor, and today’s featured manufacturer Maserati who first fitted a 6 cylinder 1.5 liter motor to Tazio Nuvolari’s Maserati 8CM.

Maserati 6CM, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Between 1936 and 1939 Maserati built a run of 27 6CM Voiturettes of which chassis #1556, fitted with motor #1555, seen here was the one that appears to have been delivered in April 1938 to driver known as “Raph”.

Otherwise known as Count George Raphaël Béthenod de Montbressieux, “Raph” was born in 1910 in Buenos Aires to a wealthy silk manufacturing family from Lyon with an Argentinian mother who was daughter of an Argentine Minister of Justice, he started racing in 1932.

Maserati 6CM, Lockie, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Prior to purchasing #1556 “Raph” had recovered from six months of paralysis to his legs after crashing his #7 Talbot-Lago on the 10th lap of the 1937 Le Mans 24 hours.

“Raph” is known to have raced for several teams during 1938, a few day’s after apparently taking delivery of his 6CM he was entered in the Grand Prix de Pau in a 6CM by Scuderia Torino where he finished, I have been unable to establish if the car “Raph” used in this race was today’s featured car.

Maserati 6CM, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

After his drive at Pau “Raph” is known to have entered at least six further events in a 6CM under either his mothers name B de Las Casas or his own.

It would not appear unreasonable to assume #1556 was the vehicle “Raph” drove in these events recording one failure to start at Picardie, three non finishes at Albegois, Livorno and La Baul, an 11th at Piemonte and a seasons best 2nd at Targa Florio.

Maserati 6CM, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Towards the end of 1938 “Raph” had two outings in top class open wheel races with Ecurie Bleu driving a Delahaye at Bermgarten and Donington where he finished 11th and retirement respectively.

In 1939 “Raph” drove a Delahaye twice for Ecurie Lucy O’Reilly finishing 9th at Reims Geuex and 5th at the Nurburgring. He then is recorded has having been entered at Bermgarten in an O’Reilly Maserati 8CTF (#3031) but does not appear to have taken part.

Maserati 6CM, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

In 1946 he resumed racing by 1946 recording a win in an indoor Midget race in Los Angeles the same year. Back in Europe Raph co founded Ecurie Naphtra Course managed by M.me Denise Depoix said to be the wife of an imprisoned collaborator.

It is unclear if “Raph” raced today’s featured car for the team or not, some sources suggest he may have done, while others suggest he raced a later Maserati 4CL.

Maserati 6CM, Lockie, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

The highlight of “Raph”‘s career came when he won the 1946 Nantes Grand Prix aboard a Maserati which all at least appear to agree was a “voiturette”.

“Raph” continued racing until 1950 by which time was still recovering from a fractured skull after an accident driving a Talbot Lago T26C at Albi in 1948.

Maserati 6CM, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

With no financial security “Raph” took a job as a handyman and chauffeur with his friend, actor and entertainer, Maurice Chevalier.

Today #1556 is owned by Sean Danaher and is seen in these photographs being driven by Calum Lockie in the Pre ’41 race at the VSCC’s Spring Start meeting at Silverstone.

Thanks for joining me on this “Raph’s ’38 Voiturette” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me for a look at a Bugatti tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Third At La Turbie & Pau – Maserati 8CM #3009

Joining Whitney Straight Ltd as debutant entrants on Grand Prix scene in 1934 was Ecurie Braillard a team run by Countess Nelly Braillard who’s drivers included her younger brother Louis Braillard, who has beaten the up and coming Whitney Straight in the 1933 Grand Prix d’Albi, Benoit Falchetto and Raymond Sommer.

Maserati 8CM, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

Like Whitney Straight Ltd Ecurie Braillard opted for the Maserati 8CM buying two of them including #3009 featured today, in these photographs taken at last weeks VSCC Spring Start meeting at Silverstone, which were supplemented by a Bugatti Type 51.

Maserati 8CM, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

Unlike #3011 which was the subject of a book by Denis Jenkinson information on #3009 is a little more difficult to find. Of the references I have found is one in which Louis drove #3009 to third fastest time in the 1934 La Turbie Hillclimb in Provence France.

Maserati 8CM, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

At the end of 1934 Louis was injured in an accident on the St-Lô Hillclimb apparently after insisting the teams other 8CM’s, #3015, brakes were switched from hydraulic to mechanical operation. His injuries were compounded by a skiing accident early in 1935 which saw him follow Whitney Straight into early retirement aged just 29. Ecurie Braillard, for whom Louis’s brother in law Benoit Falchetto had won the the 1934 Grand Prix de Picarde and a Libre race at Montlhéry aboard #3015, disbanded at the end of 1935.

Maserati 8CM, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

Luigi ‘Gigi’ Soffietti bought #3009 from Ecurie Braillard for the 1935 season and recorded a 3rd place with it in the 1935 Grand Prix run on the streets of Pau in Southern France.

Maserati 8CM, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

Current owner Sean Danaher, seen in the white fire suit, is recorded as having spent between 1990 and 1999 restoring #3009.

Thanks for joining me on this “Third At La Turbie & Pau” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at a Bugatti. Don’t for get to come back now !

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