The Lionhearted Marcel Lehoux
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Between the two world wars, Algeria, then a French colony in North Africa produced two international class drivers. One was Marcel Lehoux. Marcel’s parents were both French and Marcel was actually born in France, at castle of Fougeres in Vendee in 1888. When he was two years old his parents moved from France to Algeria where he grew up. Upon becoming an adult, he established a trading company, which he expanded into a profitable operation. Marcel did not embark upon a racing career until 1924 when he was 35 years old. At that time he purchased a 1500 Brescia-Bugatti.
Marcel enjoyed immediate success as he won the Casablanca Grand Prix on his first try. In addition to Bugattis, Lehoux also drove Alfa Romeos, Maseratis, and ERAs. For most of his career, he was a privateer, however in 1934, he was a Ferrari works driver and in 1936 he was a works ERA Voiturette driver. Yet his major victories were in a Bugatti. In 1928, he won the Algerian Grand Prix at Staoueli
and the Tunis Grand Prix at Carthage. He won the Algerian Grand Prix again in 1929 and in 1930 he placed first in the Grand Prix at Dieppe. In 1931, his wins were on the European continent in the Geneva Grand Prix at Geneva and the prestigious Grand Prix de la Marne at Reims. It was back to Africa in 1932 where he again won the Casablanca Grand Prix. His best year was 1933. He took first place at the Grands Prix in Pau, Dieppe and Monza.
He was characterized as the “little man with the heart of a lion” and he certainly displayed the big heart when he acted as mentor for the other Algerian driver, Guy Moll. Guy, who was twenty-two years younger than Marcel, had a passion for racing and entered local events driving a Lorraine-Dietrich. Marcel happened to see Guy drive in one of these and felt the young man had talent so he decided to help him. In April 1932, Lehoux furnished a Bugatti 35C for Moll to drive in the Grand Prix at Oran. To Lehoux’s great delight, Moll captured the lead but unfortunately had to retire due to mechanical problems. Lehoux then entered him in the Grand Prix at Casablanca driving the same car. Lehoux was entered in the same race which he won. Again, Moll had to retire.
However, Lehoux was excited by Moll’s potential and decided to take him to Europe to compete on the continent. Lehoux also advised Moll to buy a 2300 cc Monza from Alfa Romeo and again loaned Moll a Bugatti to use until the Alfa was delivered. Although Lehoux and Moll competed with each other in several races, Lehoux was always proud of Moll’s performance. It was a sad day for Lehoux when Moll’s career was cut short by a fatal accident at the Coppa Acerbo. Lehoux continued to race until 1936. He was driving in the Deauville Grand Prix when he collided with another driver. Lehoux’s ERA caught fire and he was burned to death inside his car.