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The Bugatti Type 57 was produced from 1934 through 1939 and was designed to compete with other luxurious road-going models such as the Delahaye and Delage. The development was heavily influenced by the son of Ettore Bugatti, Jean Bugatti. Mounted under the bonnet was a 3.3-liter, dual overhead camshaft straight eight which could be fitted into two high-performance chassis, the Standard and the Sport. The Sport chassis was lower and designed for greater performance. The engine had an optional Roots-Type supercharger - those vehicles fitted with this option were designated the 57C.
The Series II Type 57s were built from 1936 until 1938. These had rubber-mounted engines, a redesigned crankcase, up-rated camshafts and engine timing, and a reinforced chassis. For 1939, the Type 57 was built to Series III specifications which added Lockheed-Bugatti hydraulic brakes and twin master cylinders. Prior cars had cable-actuated mechanical brakes. The Hartford friction dampers and the self-adjusting DeRam units were replaced with Aliquant independent hydraulic shocks.
With the supercharger, the engine was capable of 200 to 220 brake horsepower. Depending on the coachwork, the Bugatti Type 57C was capable of speeds of 130 mph.
This 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Faux Cabriolet 'Charmaine' is chassis number 57787. Its first owner was William P. Harges, a wealthy American living in England. It was given its coachwork by James Young of Bromley. Mr. Harges took possession of the car in March of 1939 by the London Bugatti agent, Jack Barclay Ltd. Shortly thereafter, the Germans entered France making this one of the last cars to leave.
This vehicle has a sliding sunroof. Though it appears that the roof might fold down, this is not the case. The Faux Cabriolet body style meant it actually had a fixed roof section. Another interesting feature is the thin windshield pillars which gave the driver better visibility and offered the sense of 'openness.' There are dual side-mounts though one does not contain a tire; rather, it contains a toolbox. The rear passengers were treated to a folding picnic tray. Seating for the passengers was very elegant and comfortable; the seats resembled armchairs. The three-quarter top gave them added privacy.
The car was in Mr. Harge's care for only a short period of time before it became the property of Colonel Godfrey Giles, President of the Bugatti Owners' Club. The car was traded for a 1938 Type 57SC Corsica-bodied roadster which he called 'La Petite Suzanne.'
Colonel Giles gave his newest Bugatti the nickname 'Charmaine.' Giles, though very much taken with the car, did not own it for long. Its next owner was the Hon. Dorothy Paget, daughter of Lord Queenborough and Pauline Payne Whitney. The next owner was three-time consecutive LeMans winner, 'Blue Train' owner and former Bentley Motors owner and chairman, Woolf 'Babe' Barnato. Next, it was owned by Geoffrey Battersby who sold it to Mr. R. Newsholme, then to Alan Haworth. Mr. Haworth retained the car for thirty years.
The next owner was Terry Cohn who had the car mechanically serviced by a Bugatti specialist, and then brought it to the United States during the early 1990s. The next and present owner is a prominent Colorado collector.
Currently, the car's odometer reads just 55,000 miles and the patina on the James Young Faux Cabriolet coachwork is still exceptional. The interior tan leather is also in great condition. During its lifespan, some of the exterior trim and paintwork has been done, but the restoration work has been kept to a minimum to preserve its originality.
In 2008, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions where it had an estimated value of $600,000 - 750,000. The lot was sold for $375,000, including the buyer's premium and fell well below its estimated value.
In 2009, this Type 57C was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $550,000 - $750,000. Bidding reached $380,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. The lot was left unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
The Series II Type 57s were built from 1936 until 1938. These had rubber-mounted engines, a redesigned crankcase, up-rated camshafts and engine timing, and a reinforced chassis. For 1939, the Type 57 was built to Series III specifications which added Lockheed-Bugatti hydraulic brakes and twin master cylinders. Prior cars had cable-actuated mechanical brakes. The Hartford friction dampers and the self-adjusting DeRam units were replaced with Aliquant independent hydraulic shocks.
With the supercharger, the engine was capable of 200 to 220 brake horsepower. Depending on the coachwork, the Bugatti Type 57C was capable of speeds of 130 mph.
This 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Faux Cabriolet 'Charmaine' is chassis number 57787. Its first owner was William P. Harges, a wealthy American living in England. It was given its coachwork by James Young of Bromley. Mr. Harges took possession of the car in March of 1939 by the London Bugatti agent, Jack Barclay Ltd. Shortly thereafter, the Germans entered France making this one of the last cars to leave.
This vehicle has a sliding sunroof. Though it appears that the roof might fold down, this is not the case. The Faux Cabriolet body style meant it actually had a fixed roof section. Another interesting feature is the thin windshield pillars which gave the driver better visibility and offered the sense of 'openness.' There are dual side-mounts though one does not contain a tire; rather, it contains a toolbox. The rear passengers were treated to a folding picnic tray. Seating for the passengers was very elegant and comfortable; the seats resembled armchairs. The three-quarter top gave them added privacy.
The car was in Mr. Harge's care for only a short period of time before it became the property of Colonel Godfrey Giles, President of the Bugatti Owners' Club. The car was traded for a 1938 Type 57SC Corsica-bodied roadster which he called 'La Petite Suzanne.'
Colonel Giles gave his newest Bugatti the nickname 'Charmaine.' Giles, though very much taken with the car, did not own it for long. Its next owner was the Hon. Dorothy Paget, daughter of Lord Queenborough and Pauline Payne Whitney. The next owner was three-time consecutive LeMans winner, 'Blue Train' owner and former Bentley Motors owner and chairman, Woolf 'Babe' Barnato. Next, it was owned by Geoffrey Battersby who sold it to Mr. R. Newsholme, then to Alan Haworth. Mr. Haworth retained the car for thirty years.
The next owner was Terry Cohn who had the car mechanically serviced by a Bugatti specialist, and then brought it to the United States during the early 1990s. The next and present owner is a prominent Colorado collector.
Currently, the car's odometer reads just 55,000 miles and the patina on the James Young Faux Cabriolet coachwork is still exceptional. The interior tan leather is also in great condition. During its lifespan, some of the exterior trim and paintwork has been done, but the restoration work has been kept to a minimum to preserve its originality.
In 2008, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions where it had an estimated value of $600,000 - 750,000. The lot was sold for $375,000, including the buyer's premium and fell well below its estimated value.
In 2009, this Type 57C was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $550,000 - $750,000. Bidding reached $380,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. The lot was left unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
2009 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London
Pre-Auction Estimates :
£275,000-£400,000
Sale Price :
USD $503,611 (£ 308,000.00)
2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $550,000-USD $750,000
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $380,000
2008 Sports & Classics of Monterey by RM Auctions
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $600,000-USD $750,000
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $375,000
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 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 57C Cabriolet in the style of Corsica Chassis#: 57838 Sold for USD$527,500 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#: 57624 Sold for USD$880,000 2008 Gooding & Company | |
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Chassis#: 57806C Sold for USD$396,000 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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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