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The Bugatti Type 57 was produced from 1934 to 1940, with a total of 710 examples built. Power was from a twin-cam, 3.3-liter inline 8-cylinder engine from the Type 59 Grand Prix cars, offering 135 horsepower in naturally aspirated configuration. With a Roots-Type supercharger installed, output rose to 160 horsepower. Cars in this configuration were known as the Type 57C.
Many Bugatti automobiles were influenced and, in many cases, designed by Ettore Bugatti's son, Jean, including the Type 57. The styling of the Atalante coupe featured a distinctive curved beltline molding, a favorite design touch of Jean, and a roofline that swept up from a sharply raked windshield. The design was first presented in French newspapers in the spring of 1935, with the first ten examples described as Faux Cabriolets before the name Atalante was embraced. Approximately thirty-three examples of the Atalante by any name were produced between April 1935 and December 1938.
This 1937 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante was ordered on May 20, 1937, and completed on August 13. Upon completion, it wore a black exterior with brown velvet upholstery. Its headlights were mounted between the radiator shell and the crowns of the front fenders, and a spare wheel and tire were concealed fully within the tail rather than in the typical Atalante position set down into the surface of the rear deck.
The car's original owner was Baron Louis Sers of Paris, France. It was registered in the summer of 1937 with Parisian plate '8244 RL 2,' and remained with its first owner until May 1939, when he traded it on a used Vanvooren-bodied coupe. A month later, it was sold to Roger Morand of Paris, and it is believed that the present supercharger, numbered 57, was likely installed in this period.
Mr. Morand passed away in 1945, and the Bugatti was sold around this time but remained in storage in Paris until resurfacing, still with its original registration, in 1955. It was purchased by Gaston Docime, who kept it briefly before selling it to international Bugatti traders Jean de Dobbeleer and Gene Cesari, who in turn sold it to Marland F. Langley of Concord, New Hampshire, in 1957. Mr. Langley later sold the Bugatti to Jim Stickley, then of Brookline, Massachusetts, who sold it through Ed Jurist's Vintage Car Store in Nyack, New York, to Christopher Owen. While in Mr. Owen's care, the Bugatti was given some restoration work before it was sold in 1979 to Thomas Perkins of Belvedere, California. Mr. Perkins had the car completely restored by Phil Reilly and Company, then was judged First in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1981.
When the Bugatti was sold into new ownership, the car moved to Japan where it remained in a collection for fifteen years. In 2004 it returned across the Pacific to the United States and was purchased by J. Peter Ministrelli of Detroit, Michigan. After owning the car for two years, it was sold to John O'Quinn, from whom it was bought by the Academy of Art University in August 2009.
The Bugatti was shown at the San Francisco International Auto Show in 2009 and several times at Western concours d'elegance.
Along with the restoration by Phil Reilly, it was cosmetically re-freshened in the early 2000s by the former Alan Taylor & Co. Currently, it has 19,911 miles.
This Bugatti has its original chassis plate, the original front axle stamped 809, and the original engine with its original chassis and engine number stampings. The cam boxes, however, are not original and were replaced during the early 1950s. An original Stromberg UUR2 carburetor is fitted, and the Scintilla generator box retains its original tag. The gearbox casing is also marked 409, as is the rear axle. Many of the body panels are stamped with their original number 20.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2023
Many Bugatti automobiles were influenced and, in many cases, designed by Ettore Bugatti's son, Jean, including the Type 57. The styling of the Atalante coupe featured a distinctive curved beltline molding, a favorite design touch of Jean, and a roofline that swept up from a sharply raked windshield. The design was first presented in French newspapers in the spring of 1935, with the first ten examples described as Faux Cabriolets before the name Atalante was embraced. Approximately thirty-three examples of the Atalante by any name were produced between April 1935 and December 1938.
This 1937 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante was ordered on May 20, 1937, and completed on August 13. Upon completion, it wore a black exterior with brown velvet upholstery. Its headlights were mounted between the radiator shell and the crowns of the front fenders, and a spare wheel and tire were concealed fully within the tail rather than in the typical Atalante position set down into the surface of the rear deck.
The car's original owner was Baron Louis Sers of Paris, France. It was registered in the summer of 1937 with Parisian plate '8244 RL 2,' and remained with its first owner until May 1939, when he traded it on a used Vanvooren-bodied coupe. A month later, it was sold to Roger Morand of Paris, and it is believed that the present supercharger, numbered 57, was likely installed in this period.
Mr. Morand passed away in 1945, and the Bugatti was sold around this time but remained in storage in Paris until resurfacing, still with its original registration, in 1955. It was purchased by Gaston Docime, who kept it briefly before selling it to international Bugatti traders Jean de Dobbeleer and Gene Cesari, who in turn sold it to Marland F. Langley of Concord, New Hampshire, in 1957. Mr. Langley later sold the Bugatti to Jim Stickley, then of Brookline, Massachusetts, who sold it through Ed Jurist's Vintage Car Store in Nyack, New York, to Christopher Owen. While in Mr. Owen's care, the Bugatti was given some restoration work before it was sold in 1979 to Thomas Perkins of Belvedere, California. Mr. Perkins had the car completely restored by Phil Reilly and Company, then was judged First in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1981.
When the Bugatti was sold into new ownership, the car moved to Japan where it remained in a collection for fifteen years. In 2004 it returned across the Pacific to the United States and was purchased by J. Peter Ministrelli of Detroit, Michigan. After owning the car for two years, it was sold to John O'Quinn, from whom it was bought by the Academy of Art University in August 2009.
The Bugatti was shown at the San Francisco International Auto Show in 2009 and several times at Western concours d'elegance.
Along with the restoration by Phil Reilly, it was cosmetically re-freshened in the early 2000s by the former Alan Taylor & Co. Currently, it has 19,911 miles.
This Bugatti has its original chassis plate, the original front axle stamped 809, and the original engine with its original chassis and engine number stampings. The cam boxes, however, are not original and were replaced during the early 1950s. An original Stromberg UUR2 carburetor is fitted, and the Scintilla generator box retains its original tag. The gearbox casing is also marked 409, as is the rear axle. Many of the body panels are stamped with their original number 20.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2023
2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,750,000-USD $2,250,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,325,000
2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $700,000-USD $1,100,000
Sale Price :
USD $880,000
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bugatti Type 57
(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
1937 BUGATTI TYPE 57 GALIBIER Chassis#: 57535 Sold for USD$179,200 2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante Chassis#: 57557 Sold for USD$1,325,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Vanvooren Roadster Chassis#: 57742 Sold for USD$1,132,500 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1937 BUGATTI TYPE 57C VENTOUX Chassis#: 57517 Sold for USD$940,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Chassis#: 57156 Sold for USD$582,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Chassis#: 57156 Sold for USD$665,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Surbaisse 3.3-Litre Four-Seat Sports Grand Routier Dulcie Chassis#: 57503 Sold for USD$5,634,922 2021 Bonhams : Legends of the Road | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet par Graber Chassis#: 57500 Sold for USD$569,680 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Pillarless Sports Coupe Chassis#: 57443 Sold for USD$360,434 2018 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Chassis#: 57156 Sold for USD$572,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux coach usine Chassis#: 57547 Sold for USD$474,143 2016 Artcurial : LeMans Classic | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Chassis#: 57579 Sold for USD$339,440 2015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Ventoux Chassis#: 57584 Sold for USD$800,000 2015 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff Chassis#: 57467 Sold for USD$985,376 2014 RM Auctions - London | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Roadster in the style of Figoni et Falaschi Chassis#: 57617 Sold for USD$902,000 2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Chassis#: 57524 Sold for USD$420,029 2013 RM Auctions - VILLA ERBA | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Chassis#: 57345 Sold for USD$451,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Cabriolet Chassis#: 57467 Sold for USD$978,670 2012 RM Auctions - London | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Cabriolet Chassis#: 57435 Sold for USD$477,848 2011 RM Auctions - London | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Galibier Sports Saloon Chassis#: 57380 Sold for USD$264,402 2011 Bonhams - Beaulieu Autojumble, Collectors' Motor Cars |
Bugatti Type 57s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1937 Bugatti Type 57's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Roadster | 57495 | 2023 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $280,000 | $340,000 | |
1937 BUGATTI TYPE 57C VENTOUX | 57506 | 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | $800,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Ventoux | 57584 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | $700,000 | $850,000 | |
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante Coupe | 57641 | 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Riyadh Auction | $2,800,000 | ||
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Pillarless Sports Coupe | 57443 | 2017 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours | $400,000 | $480,000 | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Pillarless Sports Coupe | 57443 | 2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ | $500,000 | $600,000 | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux | 2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook | $390,000 | $475,000 | $575,000 | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 | 57546 | 2008 Bonhams Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Automobiles d'Exception | $350,000 | $450,000 | |
1937 Bugatti T57 Stelvio | 57440 | 2008 RM Auctions Automobiles of Arizona | $395,000 | $450,000 | $550,000 |
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux | 2006 Bonhams & Butterfields at The Quail Lodge, Resort & Golf Club | $265,000 | $300,000 | ||
1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Sports Saloon | 57548 | 2005 Bonhams Sports, Competition & Collectors' Motor Cars, F1 Memorabilia, Automobilia & Models | $160,000 | $200,000 | |
1937 BUGATTI TYPE 57 C ATALANTE DECOUVRABLE | 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona | $550,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
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2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 'Crown Edition' Coupé Chassis#:WDD-199376-1M-001679 Sold for $731,646 2024 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed | |
1937 DELAGE D8-120 THREE-POSITION CABRIOLET Chassis#:51760 Sold for $731,000 2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction | ![]() ![]() |
2012 Lexus LFA Chassis#:JTHHX8BH9C1000396 Sold for $731,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1932 Stutz DV-32 Weymann Super Bearcat Chassis#:DV-SB-1361 Sold for $731,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | ![]() ![]() |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe by Pinin Farina Chassis#:1391 GT Sold for $731,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
2004 Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT Chassis#:ZA9BC10E04LA01057 Sold for $735,775 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster Chassis#:188.012.00301/53 Sold for $735,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() |
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1928 Mercedes-Benz 630K 'La Baule' Torpedo Transformable Chassis#:38513 Sold for $731,000 2023 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | ![]() ![]() |
2006 FORD GT HERITAGE EDITION Chassis#:1FAFP90S56Y401751 Sold for $731,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
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1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder by Ghia Chassis#:AM115/S 1079 Sold for $731,288 2021 RM Sothebys : The Guikas Collection | |
2007 PORSCHE GEMBALLA MIRAGE GT COUPÉ Chassis#:WP0CA29855L001469 Sold for $733,112 2020 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale | |
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1937 Bugatti Type 57
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