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

1939 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Convertible

  • Coachwork by Gangloff
  • Chassis Number: 57834
  • Engine Number: 103C
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 57Cs 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.

The Type 57 was the first new model built under Jean's direction and it introduced many significant features that were new to Bugatti. This includes the dual overhead camshaft 3.25 litre eight-cylinder supercharged engine that produces 160 horsepower. The crankshaft ran in five main bearings while the camshafts were driven by a train of helical-tooth gears at the engine's rear with a further crankshaft bearing behind them. Finger cam followers minimized side thrust on the valve stems. These were exceptional features for a car of this era.

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 represents the Stelvio body by coachbuilder Gangloff.

Several of the Type 57s were built specifically for racing, with one taking the 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.
The transmission was seamless, since at that point the Type 57 was Bugatti's only production car, and one of its most successful. The standard 57 engine was a 3257cc inline eight, developed from the Type 49 but equipped with gear-driven dual overhead cams. The supercharged 57C generated 160 horsepower and gave Bugatti its only victories at Le Mans 24 Hour race, in 1937 and 1939. But the Le Mans triumph of 1939 turned to tragedy on August 11 when Jean Bugatti lost his life in a road accident, driving the race-winning car. He was 30 years old. Type 57 C production ran from 1935 through 1939, and included 460 examples, hardtop coupes, and dropheads. The Stelvio drophead coupes were fabricated by Gangloff, a Swiss-based coach-building concern with close ties to Bugatti in the 1930s.

Ettore Bugatti's son Jean was in charge of the design team responsible for the Bugatti Type 57s that were built. There were three chassis variants-the S, the C, and the SC. Most of these Type 57s had one of four different body styles, and all were named after Alpine mountain peaks-the Ventoux, the Galibier, the Atalante, and the Stelvio. The Stelvio two-door convertibles were built by the Gangloff Company. These were the only Type 57s not to have bodywork built by the Bugatti factory. This car has the standard Type 57 straight-eight 3.25-liter supercharged engine developing 160 bhp.

This example was built in July of 1939 with the late-production specifications of Lockheed hydraulic brakes and telescopic shock absorbers. It is powered by a supercharged engine, number 103C, with a Stelvio cabriolet body ordered from Gangloff by the Bugatti factory in black with a burgundy leather interior. It was sent to the Lyon agent P. Monestier et Cie to their client, Dr. Robert Perrin, the car's first registered owner. It was registered in Lyon as 9141-PG. Later French owners include Messrs Turk and François Chevalérias.

A French-born diplomat living in Valley Forge, PA, named Paul Pazery acquired the Type 57 in the late 1950s. It was purchased through a Bugatti broker who had it shipped from France to the United States. At the time it was still in its original livery and remained in excellent condition. Mr. Pazery retained the car for the rest of his life, eventually retiring with it to New Mexico and overseeing a cosmetic restoration in the late 1970s.

After Mr. Pazery passed away, Jeffrey Ozan became its next caretaker, from whom it was shortly thereafter acquired by Mr. Keith Crain in 2006. Mr. Crain submitted the car to Brian Joseph's Classic & Exotic Service of Troy, Michigan, for a complete, fresh restoration. After the work was completed, it was shown at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance followed by an appearance at the Meadowbrook Concours in 2008 and at the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's in 2013. In 2018 it returned to St. Johns, most recently receiving the Otto Rosenbuch Spirit of the Hobby Award.

2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $800,000-USD $950,000 
Sale Price :
USD $797,000

1939 Bugatti Type 57 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Bugatti Type 57

(Data based on Model Year 1939 sales)
1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C ARAVIS 'SPECIAL CABRIOLET'
Chassis#: 57768
Sold for USD$6,605,000
  2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Project
Chassis#: 57751
Sold for USD$295,032
  2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
 
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet in the style of Corsica
Chassis#: 57838
Sold for USD$527,500
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff
Chassis#: 57769
Sold for USD$577,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Special Cabriolet by Gangloff
Chassis#: 57798
Sold for USD$1,545,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 BUGATTI TYPE 57 GALIBIER
Chassis#: 57752
Sold for USD$434,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti 57 Cabriolet 4 places par Vanvooren
Chassis#: 57780
Sold for USD$575,368
  2020 Artcurial Motorcars : Monaco
 
1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Gangloff
Chassis#: 57731
Sold for USD$875,938
  2020 RM : The European Sale featuring the Petitjean Collection
 
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff
Chassis#: 57834
Sold for USD$797,000
  2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57C coupé Atalante
Chassis#: 57624
Sold for USD$3,556,420
  2018 Artcurial : Retromobile
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet
Chassis#: 57841
Sold for USD$1,512,500
  2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Letourneur et Marchand
Chassis#: 57587
Sold for USD$1,017,500
  2017 RM Sotheby's : Arizona Auction
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Gangloff
Chassis#: 57731
Sold for USD$746,704
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Monaco
 
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Three-Position Drophead Coupe
Chassis#: 57809
Sold for USD$913,000
  2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Faux Cabriolet 'Charmaine'
Chassis#: 57787
Sold for USD$503,611
  2009 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57C
Chassis#: 57806C
Sold for USD$396,000
  2008 Gooding & Company
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57C
Chassis#: 57624
Sold for USD$880,000
  2008 Gooding & Company
1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 image  
1939 Bugatti Type 57C
Chassis#: 57749
Sold for USD$1,930,000
  2004 Bonhams - MOTOR CARS
 

Bugatti Type 57s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1939 Bugatti Type 57's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Letourneur et Marchand575872024 RM Sothebys : Arizona $900,000$1,200,000
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Cabriolet578362020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais $1,350,000$1,650,000
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Galibier577522009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company $275,000$350,000
1939 Bugatti Type 57C 2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island$380,000$550,000$750,000
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Faux Cabriolet Charmaine577872008 Sports & Classics of Monterey by RM Auctions$375,000$600,000$750,000

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $1,315,976 range.
1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 by Bertone
Chassis#:3417
Sold for $1,325,000
2024 RM Sothebys : The Junkyard : Rudi Klein Collection
2011 Aston Martin One-77
Chassis#:SCFGFXXXOBGS17701
Sold for $1,310,005
2024 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8
Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS496090
Sold for $1,325,000
2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  
1938 Delahaye 135 MS Figoni et Falaschi Coupe
Chassis#:60112
Sold for $1,325,000
2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  
1932 BUGATTI TYPE 49 ROADSTER
Chassis#:49534
Sold for $1,325,000
2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante
Chassis#:57557
Sold for $1,325,000
2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  
2019 FORD GT LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON SERIES
Chassis#:2FAGP9CW2KH200042
Sold for $1,320,000
2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.
2020 FORD GT CARBON SERIES
Chassis#:2FAGP9DWXLH100173
Sold for $1,320,000
2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.
1967 Shelby 427 Cobra
Chassis#:CSX 3299
Sold for $1,325,000
2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : The Passion for the Drive
1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  
1958 PORSCHE 356 A 1500 GS/GT CARRERA SPEEDSTER
Chassis#:84904
Sold for $1,325,000
2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster
Chassis#:S178ML
Sold for $1,325,000
2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction
1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona
Sold for $1,320,000
2022 Mecum Indy
1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S 'Flachbau'
Chassis#:WP0AC2967RS480439
Sold for $1,325,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona
2018 Ford GT '67 Heritage Edition
Sold for $1,320,000
2022 Mecum : Kissimmee
2015 Porsche 918 'Weissach' Spyder
Chassis#:WP0ZZZ91ZFS800219
Sold for $1,303,536
2021 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz, Switzerland
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#:198.040.6500278
Sold for $1,325,000
2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction
1970 Lamborghini Miura P400 S
Chassis#:4042
Sold for $1,325,000
2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction
1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  
1960 Ferrari Dino 246/60 Formula 1 racing single-seater
Chassis#:0011
Sold for $1,324,330
2021 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed
1958 BENTLEY S1 CONTINENTAL DROPHEAD COUPÉ BY PARK WARD
Chassis#:BC15FM
Sold for $1,322,053
2021 RM Sothebys : A Passion for Elegance
1934 BUGATTI TYPE 57 CABRIOLET
Chassis#:57127
Sold for $1,325,000
2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction
1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  1939 Bugatti Type 57 vehicle thumbnail image  

1939 Bugatti Type 57

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Bugatti Type 57 model years

1939 Bugatti Type 57 Vehicle Profiles

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.