Venturi 400 Trophy

The French F40

We have been contacted by our readers several times to write something about the Venturi Atlantique. And because we are happy to take on board such requests, we went in search of these French sports cars – and our first attempt was a success with our dear friends at DK Engineering. Because a wonderful 400 Trophy is currently for sale there, under the fitting title: the French F40. It’s only fitting that the English have put the French in the picture together with the Italians. And that’s why the Atlantique is now followed by the 400 Trophy. But let’s turn back the pages of history first.

We are in the early 80s. Claude Poiraud works as an engineer at Alpine, but is dissatisfied with his job. Gérard Godfroy used to work as a designer at Peugeot, for example on the 205, but then joined Heuliez, and is also dissatisfied with his work. The two men join forces and present a prototype called ‘Ventury’ at the Paris Motor Show that autumn. The car caused quite a stir, the then VW design chief Herbert Schäfer was interested, Jean Daninos was also enthusiastic, but a certain Hervé Boulan, industrialist and Ferrari collector, proved to be the best contact. Through him, more and more prominent figures in the French automotive industry became involved in the project, including Jean Rondeau, winner of the 1980 Le Mans race in a car he had designed himself. In 1985, the first drivable prototype was ready, powered by a four-cylinder engine from the Peugeot 505 Turbo – the vehicle now bears the name ‘Venturi’. And in September 1985, a small company was founded in Cholet under the imaginative name ‘Manufacture de Voiture de Sport’ (MVS) with money from Boulan. A year later, the PRV-V6 was installed as the drive system, with the chassis being tuned by Jean-Pierre Beltoise, among others. From 1987, the coupé (CUP 221) was available at a price of 269,000 francs. By 1992, 225 units had been built, with four different engines. From 1988, there was also a wonderful cabriolet, the Transcup (SPD 221), which was subsequently also offered with different drive variants. From 1989, the coupé and cabriolet came with 260 hp, from which the Atlantique (from 1994, story to follow, promised) and finally the 400 GT (also from 1994, derived from the 400 Trophy) were then derived.

And that’s what we have here, one of these 400 Trophy. The idea was as simple as it was good: from 1992, a separate one-make cup was held with identical Venturi 400 Trophy cars. Sure, you had to buy a car for 700,000 francs, but then, for just over 100,000 francs, you got a whole season of factory support, service, organisation, everything. It was organised by Stéphane Ratel (later GT2, GT3), and there were six races a year for four years – and the series was a success, with Venturi selling 73 Trophy 400s. And yes, the number 400 refers to the number of horsepower produced by the mid-mounted, twin-turbo 3-litre PRV V6. The thing was magnificent, 290 km/h were possible, the driving behaviour was great, the Trophy also only weighed just over a ton. Oh yes: it wasn’t Porsche, it wasn’t Ferrari that had the first carbon brakes, it was Venturi. Six years later, Mercedes came, even before Porsche and Ferrari.

Probably about 10 of these 400 Trophy were converted after their racing career and received road approval. It could have been easier: Venturi also offered a civilian version with the 400 GT, but it was heavier – and more expensive. This fine example here still has the original roll cage, and looks really good in every way – and is available from DK Engineering for a modest £324,995. At least when compared to the F40. Which, compared to the Venturi, you see on every street corner.

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