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Chassis:
This one-off Type 57 S was commissioned by newly appointed Bugatti distributor for New York, George Rand. He ordered the car through London agent Colonel Sorel, who delivered the rolling chassis to local coach-builder Vanden Plas. Here it was fitted with a very elegant Roadster body, finished in grey with red accents. It was similar to the designs used for a Bentley and an Alvis. Upon completion, the car was shipped to New York but, surprisingly, Rand struggled to find a buyer. A year, it crossed the Atlantic again and was displayed at the 1938 Olympia Show back in London. The British-bodied Bugatti was eventually sold and remained in England during the War. After passing through various hands immediately after the hostilities ceased, it was shipped to Trinidad by Jack Robinson in 1947. During the early 1950s, the car was fitted with a Type 35 supercharger and Robinson raced it quite successfully at the Trinidad Aerodrome.
Robinson would go on to own the unique machine for nearly 40 years, eventually selling it to Peter Agg in 1985. He had the car comprehensively restored and the engine was equipped with a correct Type 57 supercharger, bringing it up to SC specification. Until selling it in 1995 to the current custodian, Agg actively campaigned the car, particularly at the Prescott hill climbs. In 2016, it was consigned to the Bonhams Amelia Island, marking the first time in 17 years an open Bugatti Type 57 S was offered on the public market. It subsequently found a dedicated owner, who had the car meticulously restored to its original configuration by Evan Ide’s Historic Vehicle Services. Once the work was completed, the unique Vanden Plas Tourer was shown at a variety events the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. In 2023 will be back at Amelia Island to headline the annual Bonhams sale.
Chassis details |
Manufactured in |
1937 |
Engine number |
29S |
First owner |
George Rand |
License plates |
4C96-23, FGW 384, DXP 970 |
Appearances |
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Most recent auction(s) |
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