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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 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.
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)
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 57C Stelvio by Gangloff Chassis#: 57769 Sold for USD$577,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
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 GALIBIER Chassis#: 57752 Sold for USD$434,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
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 57C coupé Atalante Chassis#: 57624 Sold for USD$3,556,420 2018 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet Chassis#: 57841 Sold for USD$1,512,500 2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
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 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 57C Faux Cabriolet 'Charmaine' Chassis#: 57787 Sold for USD$503,611 2009 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London | |
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Chassis#: 57806C Sold for USD$396,000 2008 Gooding & Company | |
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Chassis#: 57624 Sold for USD$880,000 2008 Gooding & Company | |
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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C ARAVIS SPECIAL CABRIOLET | 57768 | 2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction | $2,500,000 | $3,500,000 | |
1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Letourneur et Marchand | 57587 | 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | $900,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Cabriolet | 57836 | 2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $1,350,000 | $1,650,000 | |
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Galibier | 57752 | 2009 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 Charmaine | 57787 | 2008 Sports & Classics of Monterey by RM Auctions | $375,000 | $600,000 | $750,000 |
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1939 Bugatti Type 57
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