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Details
Photo credit: Jay Hirsch
1934 BUGATTI TYPE 57 AERODYNAMIC COUPE
COACHWORK BY JAMES YOUNG
Chassis No. 57158
Engine No. 71
Navy blue with tan leather interior
Engine: eight cylinder, in-line, twin overhead camshafts, 3,257cc., 140bhp at 4,500rpm; Gearbox: integral constant-mesh four-speed manual and reverse; Suspension: leaf springs front and rear to beam front and live rear axle; Brakes: four wheel drum. Right hand drive.
Although Ettore Bugatti is perhaps best known for his racing cars, the Type 35, 51 and 59 Grand Prix models, of the six thousand or so cars produced at the Bugatti Molsheim factory, the majority were touring cars with a sporting flavor. None is more distinguished than the Type 57 3.3 litre model that was produced from 1934 to 1939. The Bugatti philosophy of producing a touring car that was attractive to drive with excellent steering and brakes went back to his original 1910 car, but with the ever-increasing demand for greater performance, the logical move was to adapt the Grand Prix engines into road cars. This principle was ably demonstrated by the Type 43 and Type 55 Super Sport models which incorporated the Type 35 and Type 51 Grand Prix engines.
By 1933 Ettore's son, Jean Bugatti, was exercising considerable influence on future model policy and he contrived to build a single production engine model that would carry a variety of body styles. By the end of that year, a new Type 59 Grand Prix car and a prototype Type 57 Touring car had emerged, both using the same engine design that had been developed from the Type 51 twin overhead camshaft race engine, but with increased capacity to 3.3 litres.
The Grand Prix model was probably the finest looking car of all time, but it lacked outright success due to the dominance at that time of Mercedes-Benz, whereas the Type 57 soon established itself as the most popular of all Bugattis. The press of the time extolled the virtues of the superb roadholding and powerful brakes coupled with 100mph performance. The policy decision to standardize on Bugatti-built coachwork was an important factor in the sales success, although an individual chassis was available for specialized coachwork such as the model on offer here today.
This Type 57 was one of the first chassis to leave the factory and was invoiced to London Bugatti agent Sorel on August 7, 1934. The story goes that the Bugatti factory did not have time to build a body for the car in time for the opening of the 1934 London Motor Show, so James Young was commissioned to supply the handsome one-off coachwork it still wears today.
We believe that the first owner was a Mr. Cookson who then in turn passed it to a Mr. Ripley. In 1942 it was acquired by the well-known Bugatti owner (and past President of the Bugatti Owners Club) Colonel Giles and was used extensively by him after the war. He described the car in Bugantics 12/4 as his Bugatti XVII and he called her 'Freda', presumably it was his 17th Bugatti. It later passed through the hands of Patera, Applejack and Goddard before coming to the United States to a James Applegate of Amarillo, Texas. The current owner acquired the car in the late 1980s.
Following his purchase, the current owner undertook a fully documented restoration. The coachwork restoration was carried out by Niko of Niko-Michael Coachworks, Port Washington, NY, while the interior was retrimmed by Johann Merkhofer of Vantage Auto Interiors in Stamford, Connecticut. The engine was completely rebuilt at great expense by Vintage Restorations of Connecticut and receipts for this accompany the car. The gearbox, back axle and brakes were all restored by Motive in Port Washington. Since this work was completed, the car has covered no more than two thousand miles. Fine and interesting details include large Jaeger instruments, Scintilla headlamps, an Elephant mascot and a complete fitted toolkit in trunk lid.
This is a very understated Bugatti that is described by the owner as being completely reliable and sorted, handling very well and lots of fun to drive. Since restoration the car won top honors in its class at the Greenwich Concours, and was a runner up for Best of Show. This provides a wonderful opportunity to acquire a one-off coachbuilt gentleman's aerodynamic coupe.
1934 BUGATTI TYPE 57 AERODYNAMIC COUPE
COACHWORK BY JAMES YOUNG
Chassis No. 57158
Engine No. 71
Navy blue with tan leather interior
Engine: eight cylinder, in-line, twin overhead camshafts, 3,257cc., 140bhp at 4,500rpm; Gearbox: integral constant-mesh four-speed manual and reverse; Suspension: leaf springs front and rear to beam front and live rear axle; Brakes: four wheel drum. Right hand drive.
Although Ettore Bugatti is perhaps best known for his racing cars, the Type 35, 51 and 59 Grand Prix models, of the six thousand or so cars produced at the Bugatti Molsheim factory, the majority were touring cars with a sporting flavor. None is more distinguished than the Type 57 3.3 litre model that was produced from 1934 to 1939. The Bugatti philosophy of producing a touring car that was attractive to drive with excellent steering and brakes went back to his original 1910 car, but with the ever-increasing demand for greater performance, the logical move was to adapt the Grand Prix engines into road cars. This principle was ably demonstrated by the Type 43 and Type 55 Super Sport models which incorporated the Type 35 and Type 51 Grand Prix engines.
By 1933 Ettore's son, Jean Bugatti, was exercising considerable influence on future model policy and he contrived to build a single production engine model that would carry a variety of body styles. By the end of that year, a new Type 59 Grand Prix car and a prototype Type 57 Touring car had emerged, both using the same engine design that had been developed from the Type 51 twin overhead camshaft race engine, but with increased capacity to 3.3 litres.
The Grand Prix model was probably the finest looking car of all time, but it lacked outright success due to the dominance at that time of Mercedes-Benz, whereas the Type 57 soon established itself as the most popular of all Bugattis. The press of the time extolled the virtues of the superb roadholding and powerful brakes coupled with 100mph performance. The policy decision to standardize on Bugatti-built coachwork was an important factor in the sales success, although an individual chassis was available for specialized coachwork such as the model on offer here today.
This Type 57 was one of the first chassis to leave the factory and was invoiced to London Bugatti agent Sorel on August 7, 1934. The story goes that the Bugatti factory did not have time to build a body for the car in time for the opening of the 1934 London Motor Show, so James Young was commissioned to supply the handsome one-off coachwork it still wears today.
We believe that the first owner was a Mr. Cookson who then in turn passed it to a Mr. Ripley. In 1942 it was acquired by the well-known Bugatti owner (and past President of the Bugatti Owners Club) Colonel Giles and was used extensively by him after the war. He described the car in Bugantics 12/4 as his Bugatti XVII and he called her 'Freda', presumably it was his 17th Bugatti. It later passed through the hands of Patera, Applejack and Goddard before coming to the United States to a James Applegate of Amarillo, Texas. The current owner acquired the car in the late 1980s.
Following his purchase, the current owner undertook a fully documented restoration. The coachwork restoration was carried out by Niko of Niko-Michael Coachworks, Port Washington, NY, while the interior was retrimmed by Johann Merkhofer of Vantage Auto Interiors in Stamford, Connecticut. The engine was completely rebuilt at great expense by Vintage Restorations of Connecticut and receipts for this accompany the car. The gearbox, back axle and brakes were all restored by Motive in Port Washington. Since this work was completed, the car has covered no more than two thousand miles. Fine and interesting details include large Jaeger instruments, Scintilla headlamps, an Elephant mascot and a complete fitted toolkit in trunk lid.
This is a very understated Bugatti that is described by the owner as being completely reliable and sorted, handling very well and lots of fun to drive. Since restoration the car won top honors in its class at the Greenwich Concours, and was a runner up for Best of Show. This provides a wonderful opportunity to acquire a one-off coachbuilt gentleman's aerodynamic coupe.