- Meticulously built evocation of a racing team truck

- Sound basis and very low mileage

- High-quality restoration

- Ideal support vehicle for historic motorsport

- No reserve

In 2000, whilst on the road in central France, Paul-Émile B stopped at a garage where this Laffly fire engine, registered in the Puy-de-Dôme, was tucked away. He asked if it was for sale and bought it for 8000 francs from a wood haulier and collector. At the time, he owned the ex-Françoise Sagan 8-cylinder Gordini and had the idea of turning the Laffly into a racing team truck. It was in very sound condition and had covered little more than 8000km from new. Thanks to Michel Magnin, it was completely stripped down and restored, the hose carriers replaced by a door and the entire vehicle repainted in the handsome sky blue livery of the Ecurie Gordini, with advertising logos matching those used in period hand-painted by Claude Bardina. Magnetic panels were produced with the Bugatti and Delage marques, so that the truck could represent any of the three manufacturers. Since then, the Laffly has taken part in several editions of Le Mans Classic and meetings at Goodwood (to which it was driven), where the public ended up thinking it was the original Gordini truck. In excellent condition today in every respect, it still has its original Delahaye six-cylinder engine and has only 11,092km on the clock, which is logical given that fire engines cover few miles ... It appeared in Rétroviseur in June 2011, when the 1946 Gordini T11 single-seater was tested.

Always greatly admired at race meetings, it is indeed an attractive vehicle that will delight any historic motorsport enthusiast who wants to stay in the atmosphere of the period.

Photos © Alexis Ruben