Eliška Junková’s racing car will appear at the Barum Rally
PRESS RELEASE no. 8
A nice treat for the rally fans is prepared for the Barum Czech Rally Zlín. Admirers of historic cars can look forward to a rare exhibition ride called OLDTIMER GRAND PRIX ZLÍN which will introduce rally cars from the thirties. The cars will appear at the rally on Friday, August 26 in the morning. They will be parked in front of Tomáš BaÅ¥a University in Zlín (press centre) and Congress Centre. They will also take part in the Super Special Stage in Zlín on Friday evening. In total there will be introduced eight cars of brands BUGATTI, HISPANO SUIZA, DARRACQ, JAGUAR and WALTER. The organizers are keeping secret who will be driving these cars. However, the drivers may be famous personalities. This event is organized by Mr. Ladislav Samohýyl, a successful Zlín entrepreneur and an admirer of historic cars.
Mr. Samohýl, your restoration workshop makes parts which may be used in the future to build a copy of a world-wide known BUGATTI 35. How did you get to this job and how many replicas of this racing car have been made?
“I got to this job during renovation of the original cars BUGATTI 35, 37, 37A, model GP. We had to make new important parts, for example for the engine (blocks, case, crankshaft etc.) and due to the financial and technological demands we made more parts than we actually needed.“
The best known personality associated with BUGATTI 35 in the Czech Republic was Eliška Junková. Your father was good friends with her. Was that the main impulse, why you started this project?
“Yes, that was one of the main impulses. Our collection of BUGATTI consists of eight original cars. With respect to my father’s friendship with Eliška Junková and the maximum effort to install correspondence, awards, photographs and other artefacts related to Eliška Junková, the main interest was to exhibit an original racing BUGATTI 35, model A, year of production 1925. And this car will be introduced during the Barum Czech Rally Zlín 2011 after its complete reconstruction.”
How long does it take to reconstruct these beautiful cars? How many people are there in the team which made the racing BUGATTI?
“The reconstruction of BUGATTI 35 took “several years”. We have worked in total for 3,200 hours and drove several dozen of thousands kilometres while looking for parts. The team for reconstruction of historic cars in Otrokovice has fourteen people.”
Eliška Junková at the ceremonial start of Barum rallye 1978When did the idea of holding the OLDTIMER GRAND PRIX during the Barum Rally come up?
“The idea was raised in 2010 during discussions and tour through the workshop with Mr. Regner, clerk of the course of the Barum Rally.”
Which cars from the thirties will be introduced during the Barum Rally and which personalities will drive them?
“There will be in total eight cars of brands BUGATTI, HISPANO SUIZA, DARRACQ, JAGUAR and WALTER. The drivers will be famous personalities of the Barum Rally.”
Can the financial value of these replicas be specified?
“The work hasn’t finished yet, therefore the value of all parts for the copy cannot be enumerated.”
The cars are not only aimed for wealthy customers but they will also become part of the new museum of historic cars. When do you plan the launch?
“We plan the launch within two years after finishing not only the building but also reconstruction of other cars for the museum. There should be 200 cars and 100 motorbikes. The museum collection will contain original cars of various brands, including BUGATTI. The parts for making a copy or for reconstruction of B 35 have their own designation.”
Thank you for the interview and we wish you good luck!
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