1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupe

The Bugatti Type 57 was both beautiful and powerful and provided cash flow for the Bugatti Company during a difficult economic time in history. It was introduced in 1934 and quickly grew a reputation for low noise and vibration from the engine. The engine is a 3.3-liter engine capable of producing 135 horsepower. There were four body styles offered and their names were in honor of the Alps mountain peaks, the Galibier, Stelvio and Ventoux. The Ventoux body style had seating for four and two doors. Its design, such as the raked windshield borrowed heavily from the Type 50. All of the Ventoux body styles were created in-house, by Jean Bugatti. Most of the Stelvio body styles were outsourced to custom coachbuilders.

A second series was introduced in 1936 and featured a redesigned chassis that accommodated a more flexible engine mounting system.

The 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, CA where it was estimated to sell between $400,000-$500,000. Since new, it has been treated to a body-off restoration to concours quality. The work was done by Ivan Dutton Ltd of England for the cost of $450,000. It was shown at the 1998 Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance and was awarded the first ever 'Elegance in Motion Trophy' by the judges.

On auction day the vehicle was sold for $467,500, including the buyer's premium.

It was later brought to the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA, presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $450,000 - $550,00. The lot was sold for $528,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007

Ask someone to describe a classic pre-war car and it wouldn't be at all surprising if the resulting characterization would look strikingly like a Type 57 Bugatti. Furthermore, show he or she the Ventoux and prepare to hear 'that's it!'

France is famous for many things, art being one of them. And, throughout the early part of the 20th century it was the home to some of the most distinctive and beautiful automobiles the world had ever seen. There was Delage, Talbot-Lago, Delahaye and many others, and yet, eclipsing them all would be a car manufacturer located in Molsheim by the name of Bugatti.

Bugatti's Type 57 chassis would become famous in the 1930s. It would serve as the foundation for many hand-built pieces of mechanical artwork. Chassis 57584 would be just such an example. This Ventoux would be completed in October of 1937 and would be fitted soon thereafter with its Ventoux coachwork.

Records indicate that this chassis was then taken to Paris where it served as the Bugatti demonstrator for the 1937 Paris Auto Show. The car would not be recorded as having been seen on display, and therefore, it is suggested the car was actually used as a practical demonstrator for potential clients.

Following the show, the car would return to the factory and would be used by none other than Pierre Veyron as a demonstrator car. Then, in February of 1938, the car would be registered with a Mr. Bierlein. Things would get a little muddled as a result of the Second World War, but in 1950, the car would be found in Paris owned by an Albert Hervey. Hervey owned a couple of Type 57 Bugattis at the time and he would end up selling 57584 to American artist, Kenneth Hassrick. Hassrick would be in Europe at the time as a student, but he too would come to own a number of Type 57s.

The car would transfer from Hassrick to W. Hudson Mills shortly after Hassrick arrived back in the United States. While with Mills, 57584 would undergo restoration work. The entire car would be completely rebuilt. Unfortunately, following this restoration, there would be a great deal of confusion as to the identity of this particular Bugatti. For years the car would be identified by the chassis plate that had been affixed, which happened to be 57664. This was not correct, but the situation would only be rectified here recently. So, for many years, 57584 would be known as another.

More than a couple of artists would come to own the Bugatti throughout the 1970s and '80s. Then, toward the end of the 1980s, the car would find its way back to Europe where it would remain for more than a few years. It would be during this time the car would be restored to concours quality by Ivan Dutton Ltd. located in Buckinghamshire, England. Work completed, the car would begin to make regular appearances at concours. Back in the United States and the property of Bruce Meyer, the 37 Ventoux would make an appearance at the 1998 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This would be the first year of the Tour d'Elegance and the Bugatti would be one of those to make that inaugural trip up the coast.

Leaving Meyer's collection in 2007, the Bugatti would end up in the hands of Judge Joseph Cassini III. The Ventoux would take up residence in Cassini's impressive collection for almost half a decade before it passed to its current owner.

Legendary, the Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux draws admirers throughout the generations. This would be reflected heading into the 2015 RM Auctions event in Arizona. Scheduled to cross the block on Thursday, January 15th, the car was drawing estimates from between $800,000 and $1,000,000.

By Jeremy McMullen