1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante

The Bugatti Type 57S was built in Molsheim between 1936 and 1938. The 'S' stood for surbaisse, meaning lowered, but the car was, in effect, an entirely new sports car. The new model was an immediate success, although just 43 Type 57S chassis were built by the factory. The high-compression engine was also offered with a Roots supercharger, and only two of these supercharged S chassis were sold by Bugatti (many chassis were later uprated). Known as the Type 57SC, the 'C' represented 'Compresseur' or 'supercharger.' Both the Type 57S and Type 57SC rested on a 117-inch wheelbase platform, and the inline eight-cylinder engine powering the Type 57S delivered 175 horsepower, while the supercharged version delivered 200 hp. The twin-cam engine displaced 3,257cc, was based on the Type 49, and was paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. All four wheels had cable-operated mechanical drum brakes. The Type 57S had its rear axle pass through the rear of the frame, rather than riding under it, allowing it to sit lower to the road.

The Type 57S was available with factory-built Atalante coachwork, but the chassis was often bodied by other coachbuilders.

This example has a coupe body by Gangloff with lines similar to the Atalante. The unique 3-seater was fitted for its first owner, Camille Jourde. The car later spent a short period at the Schlumpf Museum in Mulhouse, France, but then was brought to America. It was last shown at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded the coveted French Cup.