[circuittaps]

For the race at Reims, July 4th, 1954, Equipe Gordini send a team of three cars:
#24 Gordini T16 - Jean Behra
#26 Gordini T16 - Jacques Pollet
#28 Gordini T16 - Paul Frére

Obviously these cars were all painted the famous French Bleu, but what about the fourth Gordini T16 on the grid send by team Georges Berger:
#30 Gordini T16 - Georges Berger

Quoting Michael Riedner in Mercedes-Benz W196 on page 167: "… further back on the grid were four blue Gordinis once again…." all seems clear.

But then there in Paul Frére and his On The Starting Grid. On page 115 Frére writes about the Belgian GP earlier in the season: "…and André Pilette who, as a result of a special arrangement with Gordini, had a car, painted in the national Belgian colours, placed at his disposal for the whole season.". This is backed up again on page 119 when Frére comes to the questioned French Grand Prix. I quote: "and four single-seaters for the Grand Prix de l´A.C.F., three of which were painted blue for Behra, Pollet and myself, and Pilette´s yellow car, which was this time being driven by Georges Berger.".

So - what does it have to be for car #30 on July 4th, 1954 - blue or yellow?

/Holger

 

[DJ]

I think you should play it safe and do both colours.
Whatever you do I'm sure they will be stunning.

 

[circuittaps]

Well - I decided to vote in favour of Paul Frére

and my decision was based on this:
- first I really like his book and all his other details seems to be correct, so why not this Belgian yellow Gordini T16?
- secondly I only know of one photo (B/W, of course) of this car, but blurred/unclear as it is, it clearly showes that the race number on the nose was placed at the centre, and not inclined to the right as on the Equipe Gordini cars. This is proof to me it was not just a fourth ordenary team car.
- and last but not least I still have 14 Gordini T16 shells in the to-do box and they are all going to be French blue, so it was easy to convince me to do one in an alternative colour

David Sykes shell, Scalextric motor, PP chassis, Cartrix wheels, and Pattos decals.

Cheers, Holger

 

[Dave Sykes]

Great I love it in Yellow, never knew about this I may have to paint my own.

 

[circuittaps]

Dave - glad you like it! But please bear in mind it might be a phantasy car?

As soon as the good Tony can provide me with more side mirrors, I will start working on the next 14 Gordinis - and all in blue.....

/Holger

 

[circuittaps]

Dave - now they come in blue as well. Here are 66% of the Equipe Gordini from Italian GP on Monza, September 11, 1955:

#22 Gordini T16 - Hernando da Silva Ramos
#26 Gordini T16 - Jacques Pollet

Cars are made of David Sykes shells, PP chassis, Scalex motor, Cartrix wheels, and Pattos decals.

#24 Gordini T32 - Jean Lucas, from same race is about to be created out of a PP RB07 kit, and photos will follow ASAP. Please watch out under scratch building topics.

Cheers, Holger

 

[loosesalute]

Another set of real beauties Holger!
Thanks for posting pics!
Cheers
Kev

 

[circuittaps]

Kev - thanks a lot! But not quite a set yet. #24 Gordini T32 is still missing. I´ll be back....

/Holger

 

[circuittaps]

And all together now:

I shall be the first to admit, that I am not at all satisfied with the lumberjack shirt of Monsieur Behra. Please take a look here:

http://alexeyzapf1.narod.ru/raceresults/19...ehra_France.jpg

Wierd choice for a race day

I will have to give it a second try.

Cheers, Holger

 

[GeraldL]

All sorts of weird gear was worn at that time, a similar shirt was worn by one Rodney Nuckey at Snetterton in 1955 driving a Cooper-Bristol, the shirt finished up around his neck with a bare torso beneath! No he wasnt black flagged! Note on the Behra car the French trade plate reg no 887 WO, its like the Prova Mo plates used by Ferrari, allows you to road test the car under the eyes of a benevolent Gendarme!

 

[GeraldL]

No it was 1954 for the Nuckey shirt in the wind, found a piccy quite easily

 

[Dave Sykes]

Well done very nice to see them in formation. Do you run any of your cars much? have you got a circuit hidden there some where?