1934 Bugatti Type 57 Drophead Coupe

The Type 57 was a new design for Jean Bugatti, the son of Ettore - who was the founder of the Bugatti marque. The Type 57 was produced from 1934 through 1940 with a total of 710 examples being produced. Most of the Type 57s were given coachwork by some of the greatest coachbuilders of this era. Twelve were bodied by James Young, such as this example.

This Bugatti Type 57 was sent to London in September of 934, the first year of Type 57 production. It was entrusted to coachbuilder James Young to be given a four-seat cabriolet body. The first owner of this car was V. Derrington of Britain, followed by J. Coleman. It was imported to the United States by V. F. Mashek, the car's next owner. It was later purchased by Dr. Peter and Susan Williamson in January 1968. The car has remained in their car until coming to auction in 2008.

After many years, the car was finally treated to a concours-quality restoration and finished in two-tones of maroon with brown leather upholstery, maroon-painted wire wheels, and a black cloth top.

There are many interesting features to this vehicle, such as the single enclosed side-mounted spare wheel and tire, Andre Telecontrol shocks, Lucasa lighting, trafficators, and Raydyot fender mirrors.

Upon completion of the restoration, the car was invited to the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The car is one of just two examples of this James Young coachwork on the Type 57 chassis. In total, there were just 607 examples of the Type 57s produced from 1934 to 1939.

This car is powered by an eight-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts and is fitted with a four-speed manual gearbox. There are live axles with semi-elliptical front leaf springs and reversed quarter-elliptical rear leaf springs.

In 2008, this Type 57 James Young Cabriolet was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California, and was estimated to sell for $500,000 - $700,000 and offered without reserve. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot was sold for $726,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009