1939 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Convertible Vehicle Profile

Ettore Bugatti was born in northern Italy but started building automobiles in Molsheim in the Alsace region of France. Ettore Bugatti's son Jean was in charge of the design team responsible for the Bugatti '57C's'.

The Type 57C racing car was built from 1937 through 1940, with nearly 750 possibly produced. There were three chassis variants, but four body styles. Styles were named after Alpine mountain peaks: the Venfoux, Galiver, Atalante and Stelvio. Gangloff Company built the Stelvio while the other 57C's were built at the Bugatti Factory. This car has a standard type straight-eight 3.25 liter supercharged engine, with 160 horsepower.

The Type 57C is considered by many to be the best of the production Bugattis. Though not intended for competition, some racing versions of the type 57 were built and one model won the 1936 French Grand Prix.

Back in 1939, this Bugatti Type 57C was perhaps the best small sports coupe you could buy. That is, if you had $7,500.

There were three chassis variants offered, with four body styles. They were named for the Alpine Mountain Peaks; Velvfoux, Galiver, Atalante and stelvio. This represent the Stelvio body by coachbuilder Gangloff.

Several of the Type 57's were built specifically for racing, with one taking hte victory at the 1936 French Grand Prix. This vehicle was the next to last one produced before occupation by the German Nazi's curtailed production. This car has its original body, original engine and original chassis.