57C Cabriolet at Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

May 12, 2015 by Bonhams

Bonhams is pleased to announce the consignment of a very special Bugatti for its end of May motorcar auction in Greenwich, Connecticut: a supercharged 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet with coachwork by Gangloff.

Introduced in 1934, the Type 57 represented a new era for the company under the direction of Jean Bugatti, son of 'Le Patron', Ettore Bugatti. It heralded numerous new technical features, including its dual-overhead camshaft, five main bearings, 8-cylinder engine, a transmission fixed directly to the engine with synchromesh on the top three gears, and a single plate clutch. Jean exercised control over both the running gear and the aesthetic design of its coachwork and the company began to offer a series of factory-styled bodies, most taking their names from famed mountain passes, such as Ventoux and Stelvio.

As one of the most successful models the company ever produced, the Type 57 would, leading up to WWII, be successively uprated and improved in both engineering and styling terms. This particular 57C represents that later derivative of the definitive Type 57, being an original supercharged example, and sporting the exquisite final version of their cabriolet built by Gangloff coachbuilders.

The car is best known for its long ownership in the collection of pioneering car collector and Bugatti historian Miles Coverdale of Long Island. Mr. Coverdale acquired the Type 57C in the early 1960s and retained it until his death in 2000, keeping it over the course of four decades in the company of a number of other thoroughbred Bugattis. Often considered one of the best pre-war touring cars, this definitive Type 57C represents a very rare opportunity to experience the legendary Pur Sang marque.

This special car, offered with an estimate of $900,000-1,100,000, will be offered at Bonhams Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction on 31 May, held at the lovely waterfront Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Connecticut, just 30 miles north of New York City.

Consignments for this sale are now invited and owners of exceptional cars and fine automobilia are encouraged to contact a Bonhams specialist.