1937 Bugatti Type 57S Drophead Coupe

The Type 57 was possibly the most successful Bugatti of all time. The chassis was designed around Bugatti's Grand Prix car and the straight-eight engine was exquisitely built with a gear-driven double-overhead-cam that made the Bugatti sing. An optional Roots supercharger was available on the Type 57C, which increased the power from 1935 to 155 horsepower. And in 1937, Bugatti introduced the Type 57S, or Surbaisse, meaning lowered, with a shortened chassis that went through the rear axle and created a much lower center of gravity and, therefore, better handling. The S was fitted with a high-performance 3.3-liter 8-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower unsupercharged and over 200 horsepower in supercharged form.

This 57S was bodied by Corsica Coachworks of London for T.A.S.O. Mathieson, a wealthy amateur racer, who used it as a road car in 1938 before fitting lighter, cycle-winged, racing coachwork. After a not-terribly-successful period of racing, 'Taso' reinstated the original Corsica body and again used her as a fast road car. This is one of the very few Type 57Ss to be raced and is one of only four open Type 57s bodied by Corsica that retains its original engine, drivetrain, and body.