Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1938 Bugatti Type 57C Navigation
The Bugatti Type 57 was introduced in 1934 and the supercharged Type 57C arrived in 1936. The Roots-type supercharger ran at 1.17 times engine speed, driven by the camshaft drive at the rear, and provided a 5-6 psi boost and 160 horsepower. New center-lock wire wheels were added, along with Lockheed hydraulic brakes.
This particular 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante is equipped with a 3,257cc DOHC all-alloy eight-cylinder engine fitted with the Roots-type supercharger, a Stromberg twin-choke carburetor, and delivering 160 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. There is a four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel leaf spring suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic Lockheed drum brakes. It is one of three Atalante that were built to its precise specification. Between April 1935 to December 1938, a total of 33 Type 57 chassis were fitted with the Atalante coachwork, designed in-house at Bugatti by Joseph Walter under the close direction of Jean Bugatti. This particular example is the 31st of these chassis, and the number 31 is written on the inside of the hood, engraved on the woodwork on the trunk, and written in chalk on the back side of the dashboard woodwork.
Of the 33 Atalante-bodied chassis, only 16 received an aluminum body and just five of the 33 were factory supercharged. Only three Atalante chassis were fitted both with the aluminum body and the supercharger by the factory.
Mr. Albert Cahen of 13 rue Joanàs in Paris, ordered two Bugattis on September 6 and 7, 1938. The order was placed at the Bugatti Magasin d'Exposition at no. 116 Champs-Élysées: a coach Ventoux, chassis no. 57671, and a 57C Atalante which was to be chassis 57767. Mr. Cahen acquired the very last Atalante body (no. 31) that would ever be available from the factory, as bodies number 32 (chassis 57733) and 33 (chassis 57788) were already spoken for.
This Bugatti 57C was finished on December 7th and driven from Molsheim to the Bugatti Magasin de Vente at no. 46 rue Montaigne in Paris on December 8, 1938. Mr. Cahen received the new supercharged Atalante on December 10, finished in royal blue with Havana leather.
After Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, the car was hidden away. Since the Bugatti was at the factory undergoing repairs due to a camshaft lubrication issue, it is assumed that the factory stored the car for the duration of the war, likely in the Levallois-Perret premises. When peacetime resumed, it is believed that this Bugatti was shown with all-black coachwork at the Paris Salon (October 1948), wearing license plate 1916-RM1.
The ownership between 1949 to 1952 is not known. On September 11, 1952, chassis 57767 was re-registered with the plate 2358-BM75. Its new owner was Mr. Bernard Greyfie de Bellecombe, residing at no 7, rue Beethoven in Paris. Roger Berthet of no. 84 rue Lafontaine (Paris) acquired it on June 3rd of 1953 and on October 27th of that year, it was purchased by Christian Prevost-Marcilhacy, a 22-year-old student of no. 27 rue du Général Foy in the 8th arrondissement. Prevost was drafted in November 1953 and put 57767 up for sale with Francis Mortarini who operated a garage in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris.
In August 1954, Mortarini sold the car to Jean Piger, who lived at his Château de Margeaix in the Haute-Loire in the center of France. He had the car registered 999-x43 and would retain it for the next sixty years. After using it for several years, the car was stored in a heated barn on his property. At some point, the engine block was replaced due to water circulation issues.
In 2014, Jean Piger offered the car for sale. Henri Chambon, a businessman in the South of France, acquired the car and had it sent to the French Bugatti specialist Ets. Randoni to be sympathetically brought back to life. The car was left in its original condition with the work focusing on recommissioning the mechanicals.
At some point, Piger had the sides of the car painted in yellow in the traditional Atalante style. It is believed that the black paint is original from the late forties.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022
This particular 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante is equipped with a 3,257cc DOHC all-alloy eight-cylinder engine fitted with the Roots-type supercharger, a Stromberg twin-choke carburetor, and delivering 160 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. There is a four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel leaf spring suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic Lockheed drum brakes. It is one of three Atalante that were built to its precise specification. Between April 1935 to December 1938, a total of 33 Type 57 chassis were fitted with the Atalante coachwork, designed in-house at Bugatti by Joseph Walter under the close direction of Jean Bugatti. This particular example is the 31st of these chassis, and the number 31 is written on the inside of the hood, engraved on the woodwork on the trunk, and written in chalk on the back side of the dashboard woodwork.
Of the 33 Atalante-bodied chassis, only 16 received an aluminum body and just five of the 33 were factory supercharged. Only three Atalante chassis were fitted both with the aluminum body and the supercharger by the factory.
Mr. Albert Cahen of 13 rue Joanàs in Paris, ordered two Bugattis on September 6 and 7, 1938. The order was placed at the Bugatti Magasin d'Exposition at no. 116 Champs-Élysées: a coach Ventoux, chassis no. 57671, and a 57C Atalante which was to be chassis 57767. Mr. Cahen acquired the very last Atalante body (no. 31) that would ever be available from the factory, as bodies number 32 (chassis 57733) and 33 (chassis 57788) were already spoken for.
This Bugatti 57C was finished on December 7th and driven from Molsheim to the Bugatti Magasin de Vente at no. 46 rue Montaigne in Paris on December 8, 1938. Mr. Cahen received the new supercharged Atalante on December 10, finished in royal blue with Havana leather.
After Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, the car was hidden away. Since the Bugatti was at the factory undergoing repairs due to a camshaft lubrication issue, it is assumed that the factory stored the car for the duration of the war, likely in the Levallois-Perret premises. When peacetime resumed, it is believed that this Bugatti was shown with all-black coachwork at the Paris Salon (October 1948), wearing license plate 1916-RM1.
The ownership between 1949 to 1952 is not known. On September 11, 1952, chassis 57767 was re-registered with the plate 2358-BM75. Its new owner was Mr. Bernard Greyfie de Bellecombe, residing at no 7, rue Beethoven in Paris. Roger Berthet of no. 84 rue Lafontaine (Paris) acquired it on June 3rd of 1953 and on October 27th of that year, it was purchased by Christian Prevost-Marcilhacy, a 22-year-old student of no. 27 rue du Général Foy in the 8th arrondissement. Prevost was drafted in November 1953 and put 57767 up for sale with Francis Mortarini who operated a garage in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris.
In August 1954, Mortarini sold the car to Jean Piger, who lived at his Château de Margeaix in the Haute-Loire in the center of France. He had the car registered 999-x43 and would retain it for the next sixty years. After using it for several years, the car was stored in a heated barn on his property. At some point, the engine block was replaced due to water circulation issues.
In 2014, Jean Piger offered the car for sale. Henri Chambon, a businessman in the South of France, acquired the car and had it sent to the French Bugatti specialist Ets. Randoni to be sympathetically brought back to life. The car was left in its original condition with the work focusing on recommissioning the mechanicals.
At some point, Piger had the sides of the car painted in yellow in the traditional Atalante style. It is believed that the black paint is original from the late forties.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022
2024 Gooding : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,400,000-USD $2,800,000
Sale Price :
USD $2,260,000
2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,800,000-USD $3,400,000
Sold for Confidential Amount
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bugatti Type 57C
(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Letourneur et Marchand Chassis#: 57644 Sold for USD$800,000 2025 RM Sothebys : The Arizona Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C STELVIO Coachwork by Gangloff Chassis#: 57606/57699 Sold for USD$472,500 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C ATALANTE Chassis#: 57767 Sold for USD$2,260,000 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57 Roadster in the style of Gangloff Chassis#: 57661 Sold for USD$841,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Chassis#: 57597 Sold for USD$786,000 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57 C cabriolet Gangloff Chassis#: 57596 Sold for USD$1,112,232 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante Chassis#: 57766 Sold for USD$2,805,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Convertible Chassis#: 57748 Sold for USD$1,595,000 2015 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Cabriolet by Gangloff Chassis#: 57710 Sold for USD$2,337,500 2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff Chassis#: 57597 Sold for USD$770,000 2014 RM Auctions at Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Special Coupé Chassis#: 57335 Sold for USD$923,287 2013 Bonhams - Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante Chassis#: 57766 Sold for USD$2,035,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Chassis#: 57677 Sold for USD$1,292,500 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Drophead Coupé by Gangloff Chassis#: 57716 Sold for USD$665,819 2012 Aalholm Automobile Collection | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Roadster Chassis#: 57584 Sold for USD$429,000 2010 Gooding and Company - Scottsdale Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Chassis#: 57715 Sold for USD$719,444 2009 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Coupe Chassis#: 57335 Sold for USD$1,375,000 2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Gangloff Sold for USD$1,375,000 2006 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti T57C Aravis Drophead Coupe Chassis#: 57736 Sold for USD$1,045,000 2006 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona | |
1938 Bugatti T57C Atalante Coupe Sold for USD$533,500 2004 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona |
Bugatti Type 57Cs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1938 Bugatti Type 57C's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante | 57767 | 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | $2,800,000 | $3,400,000 | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Convertible | 57748 | 2022 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | $1,300,000 | $1,700,000 | |
1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C SPECIAL COUPÉ | 57335 | 2022 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | $1,600,000 | $2,000,000 | |
1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57 C STELVIO CABRIOLET | 57678 | 2022 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | $800,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet | 57644 | 2020 Gooding & Company : Geared Online | $1,300,000 | $1,600,000 | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff | 57737 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Paris | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante | 57766 | 2015 RM Sotheby's NY Auction : Driven By Distruption | $2,200,000 | $2,500,000 | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Special Coupe | 57335 | 2012 Bonhams Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood | |||
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Cäsar Schaffner Special Roadster | 57.584/57.577 | 2012 Bonhams The Monaco Sale 'Les Grandes Marques à Monaco' | $320,000 | $440,000 | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante | 57766 | 2008 Automobiles of London | $660,000 | $600,000 | $800,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $1,208,639 range.
2019 FORD GT Chassis#:2FAGP9CW9KH200233 Sold for $1,210,000 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1996 Porsche 911 Speedster Remastered by Gunther Werks Chassis#:WP0CA2990TS340992 Sold for $1,215,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster Chassis#:csx3283 Sold for $1,210,000 2024 Mecum : Monterey | ![]() |
2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Chassis#:VF9SA15B76M795017 Sold for $1,215,000 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.7500680 Sold for $1,200,000 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.10003161 Sold for $1,200,000 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
1908 American Underslung 50/60 HP Roadster Chassis#:1427 Sold for $1,215,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.10.002580 Sold for $1,200,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() |
2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition Chassis#:2FAGP9CW3KH200230 Sold for $1,215,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | ![]() ![]() |
2019 McLaren Senna Chassis#:SBM15ACA7KW800284 Sold for $1,215,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2044 Sold for $1,215,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster 'Outlaw' Chassis#:198.042.7500282 Sold for $1,199,880 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.7500115 Sold for $1,215,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Las Vegas | |
1994 Bugatti EB110 GT Chassis Chassis#:ZA9AB01SORCD39071 Sold for $1,215,521 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1929 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix Two-Seater Chassis Chassis#:37383 Sold for $1,215,521 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
2011 FERRARI 599 SA APERTA Chassis#:ZFF72RHA1B0180054 Sold for $1,215,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S Flachbau Chassis#:WP0AC2960RS480444 Sold for $1,215,000 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.10.002840 Sold for $1,215,000 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
1993 PORSCHE 964 CARRERA RSR 3.8 Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS496090 Sold for $1,215,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Alloy Coupe Chassis#:0145 E Sold for $1,215,000 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Bugatti Type 57C model years