1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Cabriolet

The Bugatti Type 57 is perhaps Jean Bugatti's most celebrated non-racing Bugatti. Powered by a long-stroke, inline eight-cylinder engine, the powerplant offered smooth, seamless performance and was the epitome of elegant engineering.

On February 22nd, 1938, Molsheim received an order for a 57C Stelvio from Swiss concessionaire Jean Sechard of Geneva. The cost, which approached 90,000 francs, was for a supercharged Type 57 with open coachwork. It was among the most expensive French automobiles of its era. The individual responsible for the order was 24-year-old Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, a direct descendent of Emperor Napoleon I.

Prince Napoleon acquired his first Bugatti in 1934 and reportedly owned a number of them during his lifetime.

Bugatti with chassis number 57677 was equipped with a supercharged 3.3-liter engine, number 31C. Completed in May of 1938, this late-build 57C featured a number of significant chassis improvements, including rubber engine mounts, a stiffened frame and revised engine timing. Other improvements included Bugatti-Lockheed hydraulic drum brakes and an optional Cotal gearbox.

On September 28th, 1938, the Bugatti was exported to Switzerland via Lausanne, and then delivered to the prince's resident at the Villa de Prangins on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Though not confirmed, it is believed that the Prince retained 57677 for the duration of the war. Following World War II, the 57C Stelvio was exported to the United States where it eventually found a home with Robert Fergus, an engineer living in New York. The next known owner, L.S. Juillerat of New York, is recorded in Hugh Conway's 1962 Bugatti Register.

Several years later, David Tunick of Greenwich, Connecticut, acquired the Stelvio. In 1979 Maine resident Lou Hilton became the next caretaker. Throughout his 36-year ownership, Mr. Hilton treated the Bugatti with the greatest care, and, for approximately two decades, entrusted Paul Russell and Company to perform regular service and maintenance work.

The car retains all of its major original components including the frame (288), engine (31C), front axle (31C), rear axle (31C) and supercharger (31). The crankcase is stamped on its front face with the proper assembly number (291), which is repeated directly below on the sump, confirming the two castings as an original matched pair. This number (291) can also be found stamped into each cam box. It retains its Cotal gearbox, Chausson radiator and original Bas Rhin-style chassis plate.

The car is finished in dark blue over ivory and is outfitted with wheel discs, rear spats and the full complement of Marchal and Scintilla accessories. The cockpit is upholstered in dark blue leather and the polished wooden dashboard is equipped with correct Jaeger instrumentation.

This is an original, matching-numbers 57C. Less than 20-percent of all Type 57s left the factory with a supercharger. Thus, this is a very special Type 57C.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $1,300,000 - $1,600,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $1,292,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012