Clemar Bucci
An Argentine pioneer who chased his Formula One dream across Europe, embodying the daring spirit of 1950s privateer racing.
1920–2011 (age 91)·Argentine racing driver·Birthday: September 4·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Clemar Bucci's story is one of passion and perseverance from a distant corner of the racing world. Hailing from Argentina, he followed the trail blazed by his legendary countryman Juan Manuel Fangio, venturing to Europe in the early 1950s with little more than ambition. He entered the brutal arena of Formula One as a true privateer, often driving underfunded and uncompetitive machinery for the Gordini and Scuderia Milano teams. His five World Championship Grand Prix starts were a struggle against more established outfits, and he never scored points. Yet, his career was far broader, filled with non-championship F1 races and success in sports cars, where he claimed a notable class win at the 1954 12 Hours of Sebring. Bucci returned to Argentina, his F1 dream unfulfilled but his place secured as a determined contributor to his nation's rich racing tapestry.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Clemar was born in 1920, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Clemar Was Born
The biggest hits of 1920
#1 Movie
Way Down East
Clemar's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1920Born
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
1925Started school
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1933Became a teenager
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1936Could drive
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1938Could vote
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1941Turned 21
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1950Turned 30
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1960Turned 40
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1970Turned 50
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1980Turned 60
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1990Turned 70
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
2000Turned 80
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2011Died at 91
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
Key Achievements
- Competed in five Formula One World Championship Grands Prix between 1954 and 1955.
- Won the S1.5 class at the 1954 12 Hours of Sebring, co-driving a Gordini T15S.
- Achieved multiple podium finishes in non-championship Formula One races throughout Europe.
Did You Know?
He was a skilled mechanic and often prepared and maintained his own race cars.
His Formula One debut was at the 1954 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
After his racing career, he ran a successful automotive parts business in Buenos Aires.
“In a Maserati, you feel the road through your fingertips.”
