| Philippe Etancelin's racing career was unique in | | | | an independent private driver. |
| several ways. It spanned four decades from 1926 | | | | After buying another Bugati T35, he entered the |
| until 1952. When he placed fifth in the Italian Grand | | | | Marne Grand Prix at Reims in July 1927 and won. |
| Prix in 1950 he became, at age 53, the oldest | | | | Then he entered the Coppa Florio in St. Briac |
| driver who scored championship points. And, at | | | | where he placed third overall and first in his class |
| the inception of the F-1 Championship in 1950, | | | | (2-litre). His wife, Suzanne-Caroline, shared his |
| Philippe was also 53 when he made his debut. He | | | | enthusiasm for the sport and acted as his pit |
| drove in twelve World Championship F1 Grands | | | | managed. She put their children in school in Rouen |
| Prix prior to retiring from motor sports in 1952. | | | | so she could accompany Philippe to international |
| And as a trademark, he wore a 1920's style | | | | races. As he drove the circuit, she would relay |
| tweed cap, turned in reverse so that the visor | | | | signals to him using French sign language. |
| was in the back. When helmets became | | | | For some reason he sat out the 1928 season but |
| mandatory, he simply wore the cap on top of the | | | | was back on the speedway in 1929 winning four |
| helmet. He was 56 years old when he drove his | | | | Grands Prix. He followed those up in 1930 with |
| last race and in spite of the fact his Talbot was in | | | | wins at the Algerian Grand Prix, the Dauphine |
| competition with a faster Ferrari, Philippe still | | | | Circuit, the French Grand Prix and the Grand Prix |
| bagged third place. | | | | de Paul. He scored four wins again the following |
| Unlike so many other drivers, Etancelin did not | | | | year. His major win in 1932 was the Grand Prix |
| grow up in a racing environment or have any | | | | de Picardie, which he won again in 1933. He was |
| great interest in automobiles or passion for racing | | | | leading the 1933 French Automobile Club Race until |
| when he was young. He was born on December | | | | the final lap when Giuseppe Campari passed him. |
| 28, 1896 in Rouen, France and grew up there. He | | | | In 1934 he entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans |
| owned an estate and was also a merchant | | | | partnered with Luigi Chinetti and they won. In |
| handling wool and bedsprings. He bought a Bugati | | | | 1936 he finished first at Pau driving an Alfa |
| T35A in celebration of the birth of his second child | | | | Romeo and completing 100 laps in 3 hours, 22 |
| with the sole intention of using it for leisure driving. | | | | minutes and 22 seconds. |
| Then he began driving in local minor sporting | | | | Known as Phi Phi to his friends, he was popular |
| events. After discovering that he enjoyed the | | | | with his fans and after he retired he was |
| sport, he started to take it seriously. Philippe was | | | | awarded a Legion of Honor by the French |
| never an official works driver although at times | | | | government for his contribution to motor sports |
| he did drive with factory support. He was basically | | | | over four decades. |