1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe

The Bugatti Type 57S of 1936 was a sportier version of the standard Type 57, with its 'S' designation representing surbaissé, or lowered. Inspired by the Type 59 Grand Prix, the Type 57S was faster, lighter, and more advanced than its Type 57 stablemate. The specialized chassis used gondola-shaped frame rails that permitted the engine to be mounted closer to the ground, resulting in the car's lower center of gravity. Lighter than the standard Type 57 frame, the rear section had an oblong opening in each side rail, allowing the rear axle to pass through the frame, reducing the car's height even further. The front axle was a semi-independent two-piece hollow unit with tapered ends held within a central knurled collar. The suspension used highly complex, expensive, and effective de Ram shock absorbers.

Mounted at the front and beneath the long and graceful bonnet was a thoroughly revised 3.3-liter twin-cam straight-eight cylinder engine endowed with numerous parts from the Grand Prix car. The dry sump lubrication system with remote tank permitted the engine's placement low within the chassis and ensured adequate oil supply during hard cornering. An increase of around 25 horsepower over the Type 57 was accomplished by using high-compression pistons and careful tuning. A high-performance Scintilla Vertex magneto replaced the more conventional distributor, and a lightweight exhaust system complemented the car's sporting charger. An even more potent 'C' variant was offered, adding a supercharger ('C' for Compressor), which boosted output to around 200 horsepower, making the Type 57SC among the fastest production cars built before World War II.

The competition variant of the Type 57S, known as the Type 57G Tank, achieved two victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and established several international speed records.

Between the fall of 1936 and the spring of 1938, Bugatti built 42 examples of the Type 57S. The surbaisse model could be purchased with factory-built coachwork designed by Jean Bugatti or as a bare chassis to be clothed by outside coachbuilders like Gangloff, Corsica, and Vanvooren. The work created by the Molsheim factory includes the Atalante and Atlantic, with 17 examples of the Type 57S clothed with Atalante coachwork.

This particular Type 57S Atalante was among the last examples built. It was completed in September 1937 and originally wore a blue exterior over Havana leather and equipped with chrome wire wheels. Upon completion, the car was shown on the Bugatti show stand at the annual Salon de l'Automobile, held at the Grand Palais in Paris. After the show, the car was sent to London, where it was presented at the Earls Court Motor Show from October 14 to 23, 1937. Following its exhibitions, it was delivered new to Col. Sorel, the official Bugatti concessionaire in London. The car's first owner was C. Ian Craig who registered 57573 as 'GBP 2,' reportedly standing for 'Grand Prix Bugatti 2,' and refinished the bodywork in black and white livery which he used for his racing cars.

In 1939, after competing in the Lewes Speed Trials, this Bugatti was sold to David L. Griffith-Hughes, who repainted the car in two shades of gray and upgraded the engine to SC specification, fitting the supercharger that had originally been installed in Lord Rothschild's Atlantic, chassis 57374.

Just after World War II came to a close, the Atalante was offered for sale by Continental Cars and purchased by E.B. Tippen. By the close of the 1950s, the Bugatti had relocated to the United States, where it was owned by Charles Glore of Chicago. During his ownership, the Atalante was shipped to the Bugatti Works in Molsheim for a complete restoration. In 1963, Vojta Mashek became the car's next caretaker. Keeping it for only two years, in 1965, it was sold to Dr. Peter Williamson, who kept it for decades alongside two other Type 57S Bugattis, the Lord Rothschild Atlantic and another 57SC Atalante, chassis 57511. Don Lefferts was commissioned to restore the car during the late 1990s, and after its competition, it took part in the 2003 American Bugatti Club East Coast Rally and that year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In 2006, Dr. Williamson sold 57573 to William Ainscough, who had it refinished in black and white to honor its first owner, C. Ian Craig.

Since 2013, this elegant Bugatti has resided in the United States. It was given a no-expense-spared restoration by Scott Sargent of Sargent Metal Works in Bradford, Vermont, addressing all cosmetic and mechanical aspects of the Bugatti. The work began under previous ownership and concluded under the current owner's care. The work returned the Bugatti to its original Paris and London show configuration, as it appeared in the fall of 1937.

This Bugatti retains its original chassis, engine (37S), period-upgraded supercharger, and Atalante coachwork.

In 2023, this Bugatti was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won its class.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2024

With its sweeping lines, hidden rear spare wheel, recessed radiator, and protruding headlamps, the Bugatti Atalante is a superb example of the genius of Jean Bugatti. Only 17 Atalantes were built on the Type 57 chassis, and this one has the highly desirable supercharger, hence the C in its title, which summarily increased the performance of its 3.3-liter inline-8 engine. Completed in 1937, this Atalante was the last 57S ever built. In celebration, it was the show car at both the Paris Auto Salon and the British International Motor Show, where it was purchased from the stands by newlyweds who drove the car to Saint Moritz for their winter honeymoon.