1936 - 1938 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atalante Coupe - Images, Specifications and Information

Model history:

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Up until 1934 there was a separate Bugatti model for almost every body type. To cut costs Ettore Bugatti decided to design one chassis that would be available with various body styles. Most of them were to be designed and constructed in the Bugatti factory. In charge of the new model's design team was Ettore's son, Jean Bugatti. He was just 23 years of age when the 'Type 57' project started in 1932.

Extremely expensive models like the Type 41 Royale and the Type 50 had not been a success. With that kept in mind Jean Bugatti designed a much smaller engine for the Type 57 than found in the Type 50 it replaced. The prototype engine displaced 2.8 litres, which was almost half that of Type 50's. The new engine was equipped with double overhead camshafts, similar in construction to those found on the Type 50 and Type 59 racer. The production engine displaced just under 3.3 litres and produced 135 bhp in Naturally Aspirated form.

In the first models the engine was directly bolted onto chassis, which added to the rigidity of the ladder frame. In 1936 a second series was introduced which featured a strengthened chassis, because the engine was now mounted on rubber bushings. When Ettore Bugatti saw the prototype's independent front suspension, he immediately ordered the installation of a solid axle, which was used in every other production Bugatti. Friction dampers were fitted on the first batch of cars, later models were fitted with telescopic shock absorbers.

At its launch four bodytypes were available for the Type 57. Three of these were named after mountain peaks in the Alps; the four-seater, two-door 'Ventoux', the four-door 'Galibier' and the two-door 'Stelvio' convertible. Unlike the other bodies, the Stelvio body type was designed and built by French coach-builder Gangloff. The fourth body was dubbed Atalante and was the two-seater coupe variant. With a price twice as high as that of the least expensive Type 57, the Atalante was the most exclusive body of the lot. Its characteristic features were the 'kidney shaped' side windows and the split rear window.

A more sportive variation on the Type 57 chassis was launched in August of 1936, the Type 57 S. That S was not short for 'sport,' but for 'sousbaisse', which is French for lower. The rear axle was now mounted through two holes in the frame, making it the first production Bugatti with an 'underslung chassis.' The axles were mounted above the chassis centre line, effectively lowering the entire car and increasing the handling. The chassis was not only lower, but also had a 32 cm shorter wheelbase compared to the original Type 57.

To add to the sportier character of the Type 57 S chassis a more powerful engine was fitted. A race-car like dry-sump lubrication system was installed, which meant the engine could be mounted lower in the chassis. A higher compression ratio saw the power increase from 135 to 170 bhp. The optional Roots-type supercharger added a further 40 bhp to that figure. Only very low chassis Type 57 were originally fitted with the supercharger but many were later upgraded to full Type 57 SC specification. The factory 2-seater bodies of the 'regular' Type 57 like the Atalante and Stelvio were modified to fit the new chassis.

Every aspect of the Type 57 S just screamed performance with its race-inspired engine and short and low chassis. Like supercars of any era, only very few were constructed and every single one by hand between 1936 and 1938. 'Most common' was the Atalante bodied version, but most famous up to this day is the Atlantic, of which only two of the three produced have survived. It featured a body made up of a two halves riveted together along the centre line. Today it is surpassed in value only by the Type 41 Royale.

Chassis: 57384

Completed in October of 1936, chassis 57384 was the fifth Type 57 S constructed. It was fitted by the factory with an Atalante style body, complete with the optional 'Roll Back' sliding roof. At some point it was fitted with a supercharger and upgraded to the 210 bhp 'SC' specification. Chassis 57384 was sold new to a French owner. For the last two decades it is owned by a Swiss enthusiast, who enjoys every aspect of this highly original Atalante. It is regularly driven on the road but also shown at various events. The Roll Back Atalante is seen here during the 2003 Louis Vuitton Classic in Paris.

Chassis: 57502

Fitted with an Atalante style body, this Type 57 S was sold new to Lord Howe, who was the president of the Bugatti Owners Club at the time. It was finished in Howe's racing colours of blue and black. He owned the car until 1945 when an accident prompted him to replace chassis 57502 with a Type 57 C Atalante. The subsequent owner upgraded the car to Type 57 SC specification by fitting a supercharger. In April of 1955 the Bugatti was acquired by a Dr Carr from Newcastle. Shortly after the car was retired to the doctor's garage where it remained for over half a century. It reemerged after his death in 2007 and was offered in extremely original condition in Bonhams' 2009 Retromobile auction. Despite being a non runner, it found a new owner for a staggering �3,417,500. Whether the new owner plans to restore the car is not known at this time. He did show the car in all its patinated glory during the Goodwood Festival of Speed later in the year.

Chassis: 57511

Fitted with a factory built Atalante Coupe body, chassis 57511 rolled off the 'production line' in February of 1937. It had been ordered by Robert Eonnet, who was bobsledder and member of the French ski team. He had specified a two-tone blue finish with pig-skin and beige cloth interior. Eonnet is believed to have owned the Type 57 for only a year but its subsequent ownership is not known. It reemerged in the early 1950s when it changed hands several times. At this time, chassis 57511 was upgraded to full Type 57 SC specifications by fitting a supercharger.

It eventually ended up in the hands of American Navy doctor Charles S. Hascall, who was stationed in Japan. When he acquired the car it was painted black and while in Japan it was repainted red. Upon his return to the United States, Hascall had it refurbished and finished in a Rolls-Royce colour scheme of 'smoke and sage'. He sold the Atalante Coupe in 1974 to prominent Bugatti collector Dr. Peter Williamson. In his ownership the highly original car was preserved and regularly shown and used. Shortly after his death in 2008, the beautiful Type 57 SC was offered at no reserve in Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auction. With a portion of the proceeds going to charity, the Bugatti sold for a startling $7,920,000.

Chassis: 57523

Chassis 57523 was completed in April of 1937 and delivered to Alphonse Gandon from Paris, France. The factory built Atalante was originally finished in a monochrome black with black interior. Monsieur Gandon used the car throughout the War and eventually sold it in 1952. The subsequent owner replaced the damaged engine with a supercharged straight eight, upgrading the car to full Type 57 SC specifications. Since then it has been owned by noted collectors and for some time in the 1980s was part of the Blackhawk Collection. The current owner acquired the car in 2007 and had it fully restored. Painted in a spectacular light blue and creme colour scheme, he entered the Atalante Coupe in the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where Bugatti's 100th anniversary was celebrated. Chassis 57523 was deservedly awarded with the 'Best in Class' award in the ' Bugatti Type 57 Special Coachwork' class.