Monday, August 17, 2026

Annie Soisbault de Montaigu took part in the Tour Auto in a Ferrari 250 GTO chassis number 3607, and the 1965 Mont Ventoux Hill Climb, and this was her mistake in the St Estève corner

In 1956, she entered the Monte Carlo Rally "clandestinely," riding in the back seat of a Simca Aronde alongside two friends. Snow joined the fray, and the difficulties piled up. She took the wheel and impressed everyone, setting some impressive times. She finished 119th out of 233.

In 1957, she entered the Mille Miglia, driving a Panhard Dyna. She retired. No matter, the bug had bitten. She bought a Delahaye Grand Sport, then a Triumph TR3.

In 1958, she became French Rally Champion and officially joined the Triumph team. The following year, she won the European Championship. She didn't limit herself, not even by competing in single-seaters. At the wheel of a Lola Mk2-Ford, she competed in Formula Junior races, eventually finishing 12th overall at Chimay.

She won her class, then followed up with a fourth-place finish at the 1000 Kilometers of Paris in a Ferrari 250 LM, partnered with Guy Ligier.

After a few attempts at long-distance rallies—the East African Safari in 1966 and the Paris-Saint-Raphaël in 1969—she retired from competition. But not from cars. She took over the Mirabeau garage in Paris, then an Aston Martin dealership.

Living between Paris and Saint-Tropez, she became a discreet socialite, both elegant and independent. She passed away on September 18, 2012, in relative media indifference.

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