The SEFAC
Let us take you back!
The SEFAC was lost to the public eye for almost 80 years. During this time it made a journey which we’ve mapped from the moment it was lost until it was found again. So submerge yourself in a piece of exclusive car history!
The legendary SEFAC, an original one-off French Grand Prix racer, should save France’s honor at a time when the French racers weren’t fast enough to beat the Germans. The Auto Union and the Mercedes were substantially faster than the Bugatti and the Delage race cars.
Construction of the SEFAC started in 1934, led by Emile Petit. This racer was equipped with a U8 engine with desmodromic valve control and special drum brakes with 8 brake shoes per drum. This racer was presented for the first time at Monthléry and was canceled due to a technical defect. Actually the racer was insufficiently ready.
The SEFAC eventually never finished a race because of lubrication problems, defect at brakes and lack of petrol in pre-war times were lots of entries were cancelled due to different problems from divergent teams.
Restoration
Restoring the old glory
Our main goal was to resurrect the SEFAC so it would be able to race again. We’ve mapped the whole restoration process in which the car was disassembled and restored to mint condition.
After the world war Monsieur Dommartin bought and later sold the SEFAC under a different brand-name (Dommartin) and disguised body. It was presented in two musea and in 1994 Richard Line bought the car from the Dublin museum. Because of lack of time and money he sold the car to the current owner in 2008.
While working on the full restoration on the SEFAC, some people in the inner-circle of the pinnacle of pre-war motorsport got notice of the fact the car might have been found and is being prepared for it’s return after 82 (!) years. The restoration took a long time because of very good investigation. The restoration is done by Gary Pitney (body work), Baynton Jones (engine) and classic Job (building up and all the mechanical parts etc etc).
Until this date all publications in over 25 books, 20 magazines and numerous newspaper articles from WWII to date wrote about the SEFAC as “the missing Grand Prix Racer, hopefully to be brought back to track”. In the meanwhile the SEFAC is ready for presentation and ready to compete in races.
Taking the journey
So much to share!
Albums
Publications
Miscellaneous
STATISTICS
TRACK RECORD
|
1 July 1934 |
Linas-Montlhéry |
XXVIII Grand Prix de ACF |
Raymond Sommer |
|
22 April 1935 |
Monaco |
VII Grand Prix de Monaco |
Marcel Lehoux |
|
5 May 1935 |
Carthage Tunisia |
VII Grand Prix de Tunisie |
Marcel Lehoux |
|
12 May 1935 |
Mellaha Libya |
IX Gran Premio di Tripoli |
Marcel Lehoux |
|
25 May 1935 |
Péronne |
XI Grand Prix de Picardie |
Marcel Lehoux |
|
6 June 1935 |
Linas-Montlhéry |
XXIX Grand Prix de ACF |
Marcel Lehoux |
|
3 July 1939 |
Reims-Gueux |
XXXII Grand Prix de ACF |
Eugene Chaboud |
|
2 April 1939 |
Pau |
VII Grand Prix de Pau |
Jean Trémoulet |
|
9 July 1939 |
Reims-Gueux |
XXXIII Grand Prix de ACF |
Jean Trémoulet |
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