Bugatti Type 57 Since 1937, valued at $3.5 million (22 photos)

6 April 2024

Two of these coupes were produced in the late 1930s, and one of them will go under the hammer at the end of April.

 

Gooding Auctions will offer one of the rarest Bugattis in the world. This is a Type 57C coupe with an elegant Aravis body, originally built for the famous racing driver Maurice Trintignant. The car was put up for auction in perfect condition: in the early 2000s, it underwent a complete restoration, and specialists brought in its first owner for consultations. The estimated cost of the rarity is from 2 to 3.5 million dollars.

Bugatti produced the Type 57 between 1934 and 1940, regularly making improvements to the design. One of the most significant was the use of a mechanical compressor on a 3.3-liter engine - such chassis were designated Type 57C. With an engine whose power was about 160 horsepower, the grand tourer easily exceeded the 150 km/h mark. In total, no more than a hundred Type 57C compressor units were assembled.

The company sold cars both as “bare” chassis and completely finished ones. The range of bodies consisted of five options, one of which was called Aravis - a spectacular open sports car in the Art Deco style. It is generally accepted that Bugatti's partners, coachbuilders Gangloff, made two compressor Type 57s with an Aravis body. One of them was produced by order of multiple champion Maurice Trintignant, who then rode for the Bugatti factory team.

Despite the road status of the car, Maurice used it both for everyday use and for racing, although he still did not achieve significant results with this Type 57C. He parted with the car about ten years after purchasing it. The grand tourer changed hands several times until it ended up in the collection of famous collector Peter Mullin in the early 2000s. He financed the complete restoration of the rarity, including the restoration of the power unit to an authentic state - at one point in the biography of this Bugatti, the engine lost its compressor.

Auctioneers call the Bugatti Type 57C Aravis not only one of the most important Bugattis, but also one of the greatest pre-war cars in general. Proof of this is various titles at historical competitions and exhibitions.