1937 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet

This Bugatti Type 57 currently wears a Cabriolet body by an unknown coachbuilder. It was assembled in June of 1934 for a Belgian customer named Frederic Deflandre. It had chassis number 57156 and engine number 48, which it retains in modern times. On June 29th of 1934, it was given a four-door sedan Galibier body by Bugatti and delivered through Parisian agents Bucar the same day.

The car was rebuilt for Mr. Deflandre by the factory in 1936. It received an updated second-series frame of the same chassis number, and retained the engine number 48. The car remained with Mr. Deflandre until April 1938, at which point it is believed to have been traded to the Belgian coachbuilder's d'Leteren toward a new body for his new Bugatti.

A local Belgian coachbuilder then produced a new two-passenger cabriolet body for 57156, however, the identity of the shop has never been conclusively established. It may have been the work of d'Ietern themselves, or possibly Paul Nee.

During this time, the car also received modifications to the latest specifications, including the installation of hydraulic brakes.

The car remained in Antwerp for many years, later being acquired by Bugatti dealer Jean de Dobbeleer. Mr. de Dobbeleer claimed that the car had been traded in by a priest, Abbé Dubois de Sévry, to whom it had been donated by a Mr. Cadans.

In 1955, the car was exported to the United States by Gene Cesari for Porsche dealer Jack Fritsche, passing next to Al Wall and, in 1958, to Joseph Fine of Silver Spring, Maryland. Mr. Fine began restoring the Bugatti but in the 1960s, the work was not finished, and the dismantled car remained on his property until his death in 2003. It was then sold by his widow and acquired by the current caretaker. Since that time, the restoration has been completed.

During the restoration, the car was redesigned with new fenders, door skins, hood, and trim. It also received a wine basket and fitted luggage, along with a Type 57C-style dashboard.

This car has been shown at the Amelia Island Concours on several occasions. It has also been shown at the La Jolla Concours, where it was judged Best of Show Pre-war in 2013; and Keels and Wheels, where it received the People's Choice award in 2014. Further, it has been a First Prize winner (no. 3176) in Classic Car Club of America National judging.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2017