BUGATTI Type 57

Bugatti Type 57 Manufacturer Bugatti Production 1934–1940 710 produced Predecessor Bugatti Type 49 Successor Bugatti Type 101 Class Grand tourer Engine(s) 3257 cc DOHC I8

1938 Type 57SC Atlantic from the Ralph Lauren collection.

1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Gangloff Drop Head Coupe from the Ralph Laurencollection.

1938 Type 57SC Atlantic engine from theRalph Lauren collection.

Bugatti Type 57 Coupé 1936.

Bugatti Type 57 Coupé.

The Bugatti Type 57 and later variants (including the famous Atlantic andAtalante) was an entirely new design by Jean Bugatti, son of founderEttore. Type 57s were built from 1934 through 1940, with a total of 710 examples produced.

Most Type 57s used atwin-cam 3257 cc engine based on that of the Type 49 but heavily modified by Jean Bugatti. Unlike the chain-drive twin-cam engines of the Type 50and 51, the 57's engine used gears to transmit power from the crankshaft.

There were two basic variants of the Type 57 car:

• The original Type 57
• The lowered Type 57S

The Type 57 chassis and engine was revived in 1951 as the Bugatti Type 101 for a short production.

In 2009 a rediscovered Type 57 is expected to break the record for most expensive car ever sold at auction. It is to be auctioned on 7 February 2009 at a motor show in Paris.