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Details
1936 BUGATTI T57 ATALANTE COUPÉ WITH ROLLBACK TOP
COACHWORK BY BUGATTI
EU registered
Chassis No. 57432
Engine No. 315
Two-tone black and yellow with beige leather upholstery
Engine: straight-eight, twin overhead camshafts, sixteen valves and a twin-choke Stromberg UUR2 updraft carburettor, coil ignition, 3,257cc, producing 135bhp at 4,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: beam front axle with semi-elliptic springs, live rear axle with reversed quarter-elliptic springs and telescopic shock absorbers front and rear; Brakes: finned drum brakes with hydraulic action. Right hand drive.
Introduced in 1934 the Type 57 Bugatti was the last production model produced by Bugatti in Molsheim, Alsace. It accounted for the majority of the company's output until the outbreak of the second World War in 1939 and provided the company with an automobile capable of matching the grand tourers of rivals such as Alfa Romeo or Delahaye. Although built in the tradition of earlier models of the marque, the T57 was in fact entirely new and featured a 3.3 litre twin cam engine, which was for the first time integral with the gearbox rather than an entirely separate unit as was the case with previous models.
The Type 57 chassis was also larger when compared to earlier models of similar engine size and was therefore able to accommodate styles of coachwork that were possibly more flamboyant, the rare Atalante Coupé being the perfect example of this. As well as supplying complete chassis to outside coachbuilders, potential clients were offered the possibility of choosing one of four factory designed styles in the form of the Galibier a four door saloon, the two door Ventoux coupé, the Stelvio cabriolet and the famous Atalante two-seater coupé. Directly inspired by the pen of Jean Bugatti and with a price of almost double that of the standard model, sales were obviously modest in number, with less than fifty of the gorgeous Atalante having been produced in total for both first and second series cars.
The latter was introduced in 1936, like the car featured here and improvements included a flexibly mounted engine with detail modifications for greater refinement, different shock absorbers and a new and more complete instrument facia.
Chassis 57432 was sold new on July 23rd 1936, via Bugatti agent Gaston Descollas of Marseille to its first owner, Charles Olivero, a successful jeweller and watchmaker. It wears its original coachwork to this day, featuring the ultra rare roll-back bureau-style top, allowing fresh air motoring in summer and the use of a closed coupe in winter, whilst retaining the split rear window and roof profile of the standard Atalante. In total it is believed that only four cars to this specification left the factory.
According to the comprehensive history file that comes with the car and souvenirs and photos from the first owner's family, the car participated in several motorsport events of the period, including the 1938 Monte Carlo Rally, the Liège-Rome-Liège, registered 8357 CA 8 this information is substantiated by a well respected marque historian. Sold by its first owner in 1939 to Jean Givon another French Bugatti enthusiast, it subsequently remained hidden during the war in German occupied France, before first passing to Mr. Cloos in Luxembourg and then Mr. De Lay in Liège, Belgium, who had the car transferred to Elisabethville in the Belgian Congo during his ownership. It returned once more to Luxembourg in the sixties and remained there until 1974 when the then owner Gaston Greven sold the Atalante to Maurice Teisserenc. His ownership lasted 14 years and the car was a familiar sight at events ranging from Monaco to Deauville, not forgetting regular Bugatti club meetings. Sold in 1988 to Bernard Merian, a classic car collector and historic racer, he commissioned a full 12 month restoration. The car was completely dismantled and re-assembled, the engine rebuilt, all of this work being carried out whilst taking the greatest care in order to maintain all the original components.
Now fully restored and sporting its original coachwork colour scheme it was acquired by its current owner in 2001. The car was invited the following year, as one of only four Bugattis, to the universally acclaimed most prestigious Concours d'Elegance in the world, Pebble beach, California.
Recently road tested by a Christie's specialist, the car performed as well as it looks and it is featured in full road tests in the current issues of Classic & Sportscar and MotorKlassik.
In the words of Sir Malcolm Campbell, himself the owner of a T57, 'If I was asked to give my opinion as to the best all round super-sports car which is available on the market today, I should without any hesitation whatsoever, say it was the 3.3 litre Bugatti it cannot fail to attract the connossieur of those who know how to handle the thoroughbred, it is a car in a class by itself.'
From its early racing history and fully documented ownership, through to its present superlative both mechanical and cosmetic condition, this rare Bugatti, surely presents a rare opportunity of acquiring the excellence of pre-war engineering and workmanship, clothed in one of the most striking and beautiful automotive designs ever.
COACHWORK BY BUGATTI
EU registered
Chassis No. 57432
Engine No. 315
Two-tone black and yellow with beige leather upholstery
Engine: straight-eight, twin overhead camshafts, sixteen valves and a twin-choke Stromberg UUR2 updraft carburettor, coil ignition, 3,257cc, producing 135bhp at 4,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: beam front axle with semi-elliptic springs, live rear axle with reversed quarter-elliptic springs and telescopic shock absorbers front and rear; Brakes: finned drum brakes with hydraulic action. Right hand drive.
Introduced in 1934 the Type 57 Bugatti was the last production model produced by Bugatti in Molsheim, Alsace. It accounted for the majority of the company's output until the outbreak of the second World War in 1939 and provided the company with an automobile capable of matching the grand tourers of rivals such as Alfa Romeo or Delahaye. Although built in the tradition of earlier models of the marque, the T57 was in fact entirely new and featured a 3.3 litre twin cam engine, which was for the first time integral with the gearbox rather than an entirely separate unit as was the case with previous models.
The Type 57 chassis was also larger when compared to earlier models of similar engine size and was therefore able to accommodate styles of coachwork that were possibly more flamboyant, the rare Atalante Coupé being the perfect example of this. As well as supplying complete chassis to outside coachbuilders, potential clients were offered the possibility of choosing one of four factory designed styles in the form of the Galibier a four door saloon, the two door Ventoux coupé, the Stelvio cabriolet and the famous Atalante two-seater coupé. Directly inspired by the pen of Jean Bugatti and with a price of almost double that of the standard model, sales were obviously modest in number, with less than fifty of the gorgeous Atalante having been produced in total for both first and second series cars.
The latter was introduced in 1936, like the car featured here and improvements included a flexibly mounted engine with detail modifications for greater refinement, different shock absorbers and a new and more complete instrument facia.
Chassis 57432 was sold new on July 23rd 1936, via Bugatti agent Gaston Descollas of Marseille to its first owner, Charles Olivero, a successful jeweller and watchmaker. It wears its original coachwork to this day, featuring the ultra rare roll-back bureau-style top, allowing fresh air motoring in summer and the use of a closed coupe in winter, whilst retaining the split rear window and roof profile of the standard Atalante. In total it is believed that only four cars to this specification left the factory.
According to the comprehensive history file that comes with the car and souvenirs and photos from the first owner's family, the car participated in several motorsport events of the period, including the 1938 Monte Carlo Rally, the Liège-Rome-Liège, registered 8357 CA 8 this information is substantiated by a well respected marque historian. Sold by its first owner in 1939 to Jean Givon another French Bugatti enthusiast, it subsequently remained hidden during the war in German occupied France, before first passing to Mr. Cloos in Luxembourg and then Mr. De Lay in Liège, Belgium, who had the car transferred to Elisabethville in the Belgian Congo during his ownership. It returned once more to Luxembourg in the sixties and remained there until 1974 when the then owner Gaston Greven sold the Atalante to Maurice Teisserenc. His ownership lasted 14 years and the car was a familiar sight at events ranging from Monaco to Deauville, not forgetting regular Bugatti club meetings. Sold in 1988 to Bernard Merian, a classic car collector and historic racer, he commissioned a full 12 month restoration. The car was completely dismantled and re-assembled, the engine rebuilt, all of this work being carried out whilst taking the greatest care in order to maintain all the original components.
Now fully restored and sporting its original coachwork colour scheme it was acquired by its current owner in 2001. The car was invited the following year, as one of only four Bugattis, to the universally acclaimed most prestigious Concours d'Elegance in the world, Pebble beach, California.
Recently road tested by a Christie's specialist, the car performed as well as it looks and it is featured in full road tests in the current issues of Classic & Sportscar and MotorKlassik.
In the words of Sir Malcolm Campbell, himself the owner of a T57, 'If I was asked to give my opinion as to the best all round super-sports car which is available on the market today, I should without any hesitation whatsoever, say it was the 3.3 litre Bugatti it cannot fail to attract the connossieur of those who know how to handle the thoroughbred, it is a car in a class by itself.'
From its early racing history and fully documented ownership, through to its present superlative both mechanical and cosmetic condition, this rare Bugatti, surely presents a rare opportunity of acquiring the excellence of pre-war engineering and workmanship, clothed in one of the most striking and beautiful automotive designs ever.
Special notice
Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 20.825% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €110,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €110,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 20.825% of the first €110,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €110,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually