1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Cabriolet

The creation of Ettore Bugatti's son, Jean, the Type 57 was the company's most successful road-going model, with over 700 built in total. Three years after its introduction - in 1937, Bugatti introduced the supercharged 57C model equipped with Roots-type compressor running at 1.17 times engine speed with 5-6 psi boost. With 160 horsepower and when fitted with lightweight bodywork, the Type 57C was capable of achieving nearly 120 mph. Production remained exclusive with 96 examples built new by the Molsheim factory.

This example began life as chassis number 57606 with a supercharged engine, no. 20C. In December 1937, it was shipped to the Colmar-based Carrosserie Gangloff in northeastern France, where it was given open four-seat Stelvio coachwork. The Bugatti was delivered in February 1938 through Alphonse Ervard & Houp, the Bugatti agent in Liège, Belgium, to its first private owner, M. Zurstrassen. During the early 1950s, it was owned by Romanian race car driver Georges Bouriano, who also owned a Type 57 Ventoux, chassis 57699. At some point, he switched the chassis plates between the two cars for unknown reasons. At the same time, the Ventoux's engine, no. 499, was installed in this Stelvio.

Mr. Bouriano sold the car to Jean de Dobbeleer of Brussels, Belgium, who later sold it to the United States through Gene Cesari of South Ryegate, Vermont, and eventually acquired by Edwin Rucker of Richmond, Virginia. In 1959, Mr. Rucker sold the Bugatti to Alden Sherman of Weston, Connecticut, who would retain the car for the next 60 years.

In the mid-1960s, Mr. Sherman commissioned Gus Reuter of Ridgefield, Connecticut, to restore the Bugatti. Upon completion, it wore a deep blue exterior paint scheme, complemented by a white sweep panel and front fenders. When the work was completed, Mr. Sherman participated in American Bugatti Club meetings as well as the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance on multiple occasions.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2024