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Chassis:
Acquired new by Nicolas Embericos, this second generation, supercharged Type 57 was originally clothed with the Stelvio Cabriolet style body by Gangloff. Following the War, it was acquired by American Ray Murray, who at the time also owned a slightly earlier naturally aspirated Type 57 that was fitted with a factory Atalante Coupe body. This car had been shown on the French Pavilion during the 1939 Worlds Fair in New York. Murray then decided to combine the superior underpinnings of the Type 57 C chassis with the very last Atalante body built.
Murray only owned the Type 57 C Atalante Coupe briefly as it soon after passed into the hands of noted collector and racer Al Garthwaite. He would go on to campaign the car at Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton and also in the Mount Equinox Hillclimb, where he placed eighth in 1950, being narrowly beaten by a brand new Jaguar XK120. Having thoroughly enjoyed the car, Garthwaite then sold the Bugatti on to pioneering collector Dr Samuel Scher. While being serviced at the legendary Zumbach's garage in New York, it was spotted by Macy's heir John W. Straus, who soon after bought it from Scher.
Straus' collection also included a Duesenberg, a Ford Model T and a pair of Jaguars. He, however, was regularly seen driving the Atalante Coupe on the roads around New York until the early 1960s. It was stored in a garage and did not appear until Straus' estate was settled in 2007. Sold at a Christie's auction, it was carefully returned to running order and displayed in the Preservation Class at Pebble Beach. In 2008, it changed hands again and was submitted to a ground-up restoration. Completed in time for the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the restored Type 57 C placed second in class. In 2013, it was sold at auction for the third time in six years.
Chassis details |
Manufactured in |
1938 |
Engine number |
57 C |
First owner |
Nicholas Embericos |
License plate |
FXF-55 |
Notes |
Originally fitted with a Stelvio body by Gangloff |
Last known location |
American Private Collection |
Appearances |
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Most recent auction(s) |
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