When the French were beaten by the Americans at the French GP in 1921
At the French Grand Prix in 1921, everyone was actually betting on a victory for the technically advanced Ballot racing cars. With their extremely modern eight-cylinder engines with two overhead camshafts and brakes on all four wheels (see also pictures and description in the Rétromobile review) , they looked like clear favorites.
But things turned out differently. At the end of the day, an American Duesenberg reached the finish line first. Its engine was perhaps a little less advanced, but it produced a good 114 hp. And the Americans had something the Ballots didn't: hydraulic brakes on all four wheels. However, these presented the drivers with a difficult task. In any case, Murphy overturned one of the four cars of the Indianapolis team. Despite his broken ribs, he was back in time for the race and was able to win it, almost achieving a double victory.
What a shame for France, who had hoped for a victory. At times, all three Duesenbergs were even in the lead, but the Ballots stayed on their heels. All the drivers suffered punctures and Murphy had to change tires several times. And because the Duesenberg had no removable wheels, this always had to be done in the depot on the car itself. On the Ballot, a wheel could be changed in 17 seconds.
The last lap was described by ADAC Motorwelt as follows:
" Finally the last lap: Murphy races across the finish line at 1:10 a.m., cheered on by his numerous compatriots. He had covered the 518 km in 4 hours 7 min. 11 2/3 sec. and had therefore clocked an hourly average of over 125 km. The American national anthem is played, which the French also listen to with bare heads and bleeding hearts. While the winner has long since been feasting on champagne, the consumption of which is forbidden in America, the other drivers still have to complete several laps before they too can take their places of honor. "
Three of the four cars have survived, one is on display in the Indianapolis Museum, a second in the Simeone Automotive Foundation Museum and a third was only recently rediscovered, as Hemmings reported. This is said to be the car that Albert Guyot (pictured above) drove in the French Grand Prix. This is now to be restored.
