1934 Bugatti Type 57 Rumble Seat Convertible

This Bugatti is powered by a 3.3-liter 8-cylinder engine developing 135 horsepower. It was originally owned by German film star and ski champion Hella Hartwich. Hella liked the Franay Body, which she ordered, and it is the only Bugatti with this particular body. The Bugatti Type 57 was an entirely new design by Jean Bugatti, son of founder Ettore. Type 57s were built from 1934 through 1940 with a total of 710 examples produced. Only the Type 57 engines used gears to transmit power from the crankshaft instead of the chain drive twin-cam engines of the Type 50 and 51. This is the only known Type 57 originally fitted with dual rear-mounted spare tires. It is one of only four Bugattis to be graced with bodywork by Franay, and the only Type 57 to be crafted by that prestigious custom coachworks.

This Bugatti was delivered to Hella Hartwick in July 1934 and is believed to have remained in Paris throughout the war. Around 1956, filmmaker Jean Rouch acquired the Bugatti in 'worn condition' and had it restored, driving and maintaining it until his death in 2004. In 2011, the Bugatti was restored once again. Ten years later, it passed to the Evergreen Historic Automobile collection, where it is being meticulously maintained and preserved to this day.

This Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet wears one-off coachwork by Carrosserie Franay. It was ordered new through Paris Bugatti distributor Dominique Lamberjack and delivered as a bare chassis on July 4th of 1934 with an invoice of 50,400 Francs. It was ordered by a wealthy German movie star and ski champion Hella Hartwich.

This Type 57 received unique two-door, two-seat open coachwork by Franay - who would cloth a total of about four Bugattis, but this was the only Type 57.

Hartwich registered 57127 in late July of 1934 with the registration number 1544 RJ2. It is believed that Hartwich retained the car in Paris throughout World War II. After the war, pictures of the car display the car in complete, but 'worn' condition with modifications that included vents replacing the previous louvered hood. The unique bumper switch with a standard straight one and its large Marchal headlights were replaced by more modern lights. The original paint was replaced by a lighter color and a large dent could be seen in the left front fender.

In the early 1950s, the car was in the care of Garage Aubert owner Pierre Proust of Montrouge. It was next registered to Mr. Di Vincenzo Salvatore of Paris with plate number 3913 DN 75. The car remained in the care of Mr. Salvatore briefly, and on May 15th of 1956, it entered the car of Jean Rouch who owned the car for nearly half a century.

As the 1960s were coming to a close, the car was sent to Carroserie Monceau in Chamecy, France for a full restoration. After the work was completed, the car appeared in Rouch's 1969 ethno-fiction comedy Petit à Petit. From 1969 until Rouch's passing in 2004, ownership of the car was shared with Jean's friend Philippe Luzuy.

The car entered the care of Clem and Mary Lange in 2011 still wearing its 1960s restoration. It was soon sent to Longfield Restorations Ltd. of Ontario, Canada, for a complete, concours restoration. The work took three years to complete, from 2012 through 2015, at a cost of nearly $650,000 and bringing it back to its original specifications. It was finished in dark blue paint with a two-tone mustardy tan leather and ostrich interior.

In 2016, the car won Best of Show at the July 2016 Keenland Concours in Lexington, Kentucky.

This Bugatti retains its original cambox, engine, and transmission. The rear axle is a slightly later unit believed to have been replaced in period.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2021