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The Bugatti Type 57 was the first model built under the direction of Jean Bugatti, the son of founder Ettore. Introduced in 1934, it was one of the most sophisticated road-going chassis built by the Bugatti company, with many receiving elegantly designed coachwork from Europe's most respected coachbuilders. Its sophistication was mirrored by its luxury refinements and ease of operation. Noise levels were dramatically reduced due to the previous spur gears being replaced by bevel gears which transmitted power from the crankshaft to the camshafts. Impressive stability was courtesy of the solid front axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs and a live rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf springs. Stopping power was via four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
This particular example is believed to have been produced in November of 1938 and left Bugatti's Molsheim factory wearing Galibier four-door saloon coachwork built in-house. The work was completed on January 27th, 1939, and finished in Ermine Red with Havana Brown leather trim. After leaving the factory, it was sent to Bugatti's Paris agency and added to their stock held at their Foire de Lyon depot. The car's first owner was St. Martin who took delivery in Besancon, France.
Much of its early history is unknown; by the 1960s, it was re-discovered and purchased by Jean Serre. In Monsieur Serre's collection was a one-off Vanvooren roadster body acquired from Hans Weber Henning which originally belonged to Bugatti Type 57 chassis no. 57430. The body had been ordered by Prince Louis Napoleon (who ordered it using his alias 'de Montfort'), an enthusiastic amateur racing driver and experienced Bugatti customer. At some point, the Vanvooren coachwork was removed and later fitted to this car (chassis 57742).
Jean Serre later sold the chassis and body to a collector in Southern California sometime between 1997 and 2003. While in his care, the car was upgraded to supercharged configuration, boosting output to over 210 bhp.
In 2005, the car was shown at the Techno Classica Essen by Dutchman Tony Paalman and his then firm 'Car Discoveries.' Shortly thereafter, the car was delivered to the United States by Howard Fafard in Framingham, Massachusetts who commissioned a complete restoration at Competition Motors Portsmouth, NH. The frame-off work began in January 2006 and was finished in formal Black over Aubergine specification, complete with an ostrich leather interior and black folding convertible top. Competition Motors would then assume ownership once completed in 2012. After the work was completed (which cost in excess of $800,000), it was shown at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and also featured in advertisements by Ralph Lauren Purple Label for their 2012 Fall collection.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2023
This particular example is believed to have been produced in November of 1938 and left Bugatti's Molsheim factory wearing Galibier four-door saloon coachwork built in-house. The work was completed on January 27th, 1939, and finished in Ermine Red with Havana Brown leather trim. After leaving the factory, it was sent to Bugatti's Paris agency and added to their stock held at their Foire de Lyon depot. The car's first owner was St. Martin who took delivery in Besancon, France.
Much of its early history is unknown; by the 1960s, it was re-discovered and purchased by Jean Serre. In Monsieur Serre's collection was a one-off Vanvooren roadster body acquired from Hans Weber Henning which originally belonged to Bugatti Type 57 chassis no. 57430. The body had been ordered by Prince Louis Napoleon (who ordered it using his alias 'de Montfort'), an enthusiastic amateur racing driver and experienced Bugatti customer. At some point, the Vanvooren coachwork was removed and later fitted to this car (chassis 57742).
Jean Serre later sold the chassis and body to a collector in Southern California sometime between 1997 and 2003. While in his care, the car was upgraded to supercharged configuration, boosting output to over 210 bhp.
In 2005, the car was shown at the Techno Classica Essen by Dutchman Tony Paalman and his then firm 'Car Discoveries.' Shortly thereafter, the car was delivered to the United States by Howard Fafard in Framingham, Massachusetts who commissioned a complete restoration at Competition Motors Portsmouth, NH. The frame-off work began in January 2006 and was finished in formal Black over Aubergine specification, complete with an ostrich leather interior and black folding convertible top. Competition Motors would then assume ownership once completed in 2012. After the work was completed (which cost in excess of $800,000), it was shown at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and also featured in advertisements by Ralph Lauren Purple Label for their 2012 Fall collection.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2023
The original Bugatti Type 57 was designed by Jean Bugatti purely as a road-going vehicle, and it is the most celebrated of all non-racing Bugattis. Apart from the three famous Bugatti Atlantics, just three two-door 'factory' built bodies were available - the Ventoux, the Stelvio, and the Atalante. The Type 57 could also be ordered with a Galibier four-door body. The Type 57C was introduced in 1937 and was powered by a 3.3-liter straight-eight engine with dual overhead camshafts, a Roots-type supercharger, and Stromberg carburetors developing over 175 horsepower. A few European coachbuilders built extravagant and flowing bodies for the Type 57C, including Vanvooren of Paris, who built this convertible roadster body in 1937.
2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,100,000-USD $1,400,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,132,500
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bugatti Type 57
(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante Chassis#: 57557 Sold for USD$1,325,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Vanvooren Roadster Chassis#: 57742 Sold for USD$1,132,500 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
1937 BUGATTI TYPE 57C VENTOUX Chassis#: 57517 Sold for USD$940,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Chassis#: 57156 Sold for USD$582,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Chassis#: 57156 Sold for USD$665,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Surbaisse 3.3-Litre Four-Seat Sports Grand Routier Dulcie Chassis#: 57503 Sold for USD$5,634,922 2021 Bonhams : Legends of the Road | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet par Graber Chassis#: 57500 Sold for USD$569,680 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Pillarless Sports Coupe Chassis#: 57443 Sold for USD$360,434 2018 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Chassis#: 57156 Sold for USD$572,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux coach usine Chassis#: 57547 Sold for USD$474,143 2016 Artcurial : LeMans Classic | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Chassis#: 57579 Sold for USD$339,440 2015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Ventoux Chassis#: 57584 Sold for USD$800,000 2015 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff Chassis#: 57467 Sold for USD$985,376 2014 RM Auctions - London | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Roadster in the style of Figoni et Falaschi Chassis#: 57617 Sold for USD$902,000 2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Chassis#: 57524 Sold for USD$420,029 2013 RM Auctions - VILLA ERBA | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Chassis#: 57345 Sold for USD$451,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Cabriolet Chassis#: 57467 Sold for USD$978,670 2012 RM Auctions - London | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Cabriolet Chassis#: 57435 Sold for USD$477,848 2011 RM Auctions - London | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Galibier Sports Saloon Chassis#: 57380 Sold for USD$264,402 2011 Bonhams - Beaulieu Autojumble, Collectors' Motor Cars | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupe Chassis#: 57345 Sold for USD$350,000 2011 Mecum Auctions - Monterey, CA The Daytime Auction |
Bugatti Type 57s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1937 Bugatti Type 57's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Roadster | 57495 | 2023 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $280,000 | $340,000 | |
1937 BUGATTI TYPE 57C VENTOUX | 57506 | 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | $800,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Ventoux | 57584 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | $700,000 | $850,000 | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante Coupe | 57641 | 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Riyadh Auction | $2,800,000 | ||
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Pillarless Sports Coupe | 57443 | 2017 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours | $400,000 | $480,000 | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Pillarless Sports Coupe | 57443 | 2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ | $500,000 | $600,000 | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux | 2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook | $390,000 | $475,000 | $575,000 | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 | 57546 | 2008 Bonhams Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Automobiles d'Exception | $350,000 | $450,000 | |
1937 Bugatti T57 Stelvio | 57440 | 2008 RM Auctions Automobiles of Arizona | $395,000 | $450,000 | $550,000 |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux | 2006 Bonhams & Butterfields at The Quail Lodge, Resort & Golf Club | $265,000 | $300,000 | ||
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Sports Saloon | 57548 | 2005 Bonhams Sports, Competition & Collectors' Motor Cars, F1 Memorabilia, Automobilia & Models | $160,000 | $200,000 | |
1937 BUGATTI TYPE 57 C ATALANTE DECOUVRABLE | 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona | $550,000 |
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1937 Bugatti Type 57
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