Bugatti Type 57

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

Most Type 57s used a twin-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 50 and 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.

Type 57G

The famous Type 57G tank-bodied racers used the 57S chassis in 1936 and 1937 and the 57C for 1939.

Type 57

The original Type 57 was a touring car model produced from 1934 through 1940. It used the 3.3 L (3257 cc/198 in³) engine from the Type 59 Grand Prix cars, producing 135 hp (100 kW). Top speed was 95 mph (153 km/h).

It rode on a 130 in (3300 mm) wheelbase and had a 53.1 in (1350 mm) wide track. Road-going versions weighed about 2100 lb (950 kg). Hydraulic brakes replaced the cable-operated units in 1938. 630 examples were produced.

The original road-going Type 57 included a smaller version of the Royale's square-bottom horseshoe grille. The sides of the engine compartment were covered with thermostatically-controlled shutters. It was a tall car, contrary to the tastes of the time.

Dimensions:
* Wheelbase: 130 in (3300 mm)
* Track: 53.1 in (1349 mm)
* Weight: 2100 lb (950 kg)

Type 57T

The "tuned" Type 57T pushed the performance of the basic Type 57. It was capable of reaching 115 mph (185 km/h).

Type 57C

A Type 57C racing car was built from 1937 through 1940, with nearly 750 possibly produced. It shared the 3.3 L engine from the road-going Type 57 but produced 160 hp (119 kW) with a Roots-type supercharger fitted.

Type 57C Tank

The famous 57C-based Tank won the 1936 French Grand Prix, as well as the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans. It used a different 4.7 L (4743 cc/289 in³) engine.

Type 57S

The Type 57S/SC is one of the best-known Bugatti cars. The "S" stood for "surbaissé" ("lowered"), though most felt it stood for "sport". It included a v-shaped dip at the bottom of the radiator and mesh grilles on either side of the engine compartment.

Lowering the car was a major undertaking. The rear axle now passed through the rear frame rather than riding under it, and a dry-sump lubrication system was required to fit the engine under the new low hood. The 57S had a nearly-independent suspension in front, though Ettore despised that notion.

Just 40 "surbaissé" cars were built.

Dimensions:
* Wheelbase: 117.3 in (2979 mm)
* Track: 53.1 in (1349 mm)
* Weight: 2100 lb (950 kg)

Type 57SC

Just two supercharged Type 57SC cars were built new, but most 57S owners wanted the additional power afforded by the blower. Therefore, most of the original Type 57S cars returned to Molsheim for the installation of a supercharger, pushing output from 175 hp (130 kW) to 200 hp (150 kW) and 120 mph.

Atlantic

Considered by many to be the most beautiful pre-war car, the Atlantic body Type 57S featured flowing coupe lines with a pronounced dorsal seam running front to back. It was based on the "Aérolithe" concept car of 1935. Like the Type 59 Grand Prix car, the Aérolithe used Elektron (magnesium) or Duralumin (aluminium) for its body panels, a combustible material. Therefore, the body panels were riveted externally, creating the signature seam.

The production Atlantics (just three were made) used plain aluminium, however. But the dorsal seams were retained for style, and have led to the car's present fame.

Dr. Peter Williamson won the 2003 Pebble Beach Car show with an SC57 Atlantic. Another is owned by Ralph Lauren. The final Atlantic has been lost to time.

One of the most bizarre, elusive and expensive of cars is the Type 57SC Atlantic. With its low stance, 200 bhp engine, lightweight construction, 123 mph (200 kph) top speed and influential teardrop body, many believe this is the ultimate Bugatti and the first supercar ever made.

Ettore's son, Jean Bugatti, who played a large role in the development of the Type 57 series, personally styled the Atlantic. Jean's lines draw an interesting mix of aircraft styling together with the avant-garde tear-drop that is so reminiscent of the thirties. Design highlights include a heavily raked windscreen, riveted fins, and oval doors with kidney-shaped side windows.

Momentum behind the style was structured by a design concept of incorporating Electron, an alloy of magnesium and aluminum from IG Farben of Germany, in the design. Though it is strong, and up to one third the weight of aluminum, it is also highly flammable thus welding was not possible. This meant that each panel had to be riveted into place which posed a particular problem for traditional design. Therefore, Jean incorporated the rivet's aesthetic into the wings of the car and created a telling combination of function and form.

As the first car to bear fins, the silver Electron Aerolithe Prototype debuted as a possible sport model of the Type 57 series at the 1935 Paris Motor Show. As much of a sensation as the car must have been, it only drew three orders. By the time production commenced in 1936, standard aluminum was chosen over the flammable electron and the specially lowered Type 57S chassis, with its smaller, V-shaped radiator was used.

The engineering on these Atlantics was similar to the other Type 57s which formed a basis for Bugatti competition and grand touring. Chassis arrangements included Rudge Witworth wire wheels, complex De Rams shocks absorbers, fifteen inch drum brakes and a strong, uncluttered chassis. As with most Bugattis, the Type 57 was of complicated craftsmanship, but the result of relatively simple design. The Type 57SC chassis combined the supercharged 57C engine with the low and short 57S chassis used for racing.

Chassis

The 75 year history of each Bugatti Atlantic is entertaining conjecture for any Bugatti enthusiast. The first prototype is gone and only two of three aluminum bodied production versions remain largely original. Trying to match up historic photos to each chassis and fit the prototype's disappearance into the fray still leaves many mysteries.

The Aerolithe Prototype - Called the Aerolithe after the greek word for meteorite, the prototype Atlantic debuted on the Bugatti stand at the 1935 Paris Motor Show. The car appears to have taller proportions when compared to the other Atlantics due to the much larger front radiator. It is the only Atlantic which may have had a body made entirely of magnesium as the production cars used aluminum for safety and simplicity.

Chassis #57374 - Here is the first production Atlantic which is identified by its low set headlights that only slightly protrude. It was built in 1936 and possibly with parts and panels from original Aerolithe prototype. The first owner of #57374, Lord Philippe de Rothschild of London, ordered the car in light blue with dark blue interior. A subsequent owner sent the car back to Bugatti in 1939 to receive a supercharger and make the car a true 57SC. After the war, Bob Oliver of Los Angeles owned #57374 and modified it in drastic ways. Bob resized the rear windows and painted the car several different colors including red. The current owner, Peter D. Williamson picked up the modified car at auction in 1971 for $59 000 USD and spent years restoring the car to its 1936 specification. He debuted it at the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours were it won best in show. It has since toured across America.

Chassis #57473 - Easily the most controversial Atlantic, this car stayed in France and was sold to an older couple who promptly sold it back to the factory in 1937. In 1939, the factory again had the car and additional louvers were included as well as an extension to the rear fenders. Its history from that point is uncertain, but the car supposedly suffered a horrible train collision in 1955 which killed both passengers. The twisted chassis was then held at the Gien train station for nearly ten years then sold to a junk yard. In 1965, Paul André Berson discovered the remains and spent ten years recreating a car around it. Nicolas Seydoux currently owns #57473 and he last publically displayed it at the 2000 Villa d'Este Concours.

Chassis #57491 - The last Atlantic is the most published of the three and can probably claim to be the most original. It is instantly recognizable from its external headlights which many people feel make it the most desirable of the three. Ralph Lauren has owned this car since 1988. With a strong inclination towards important and authentic cars, Ralph includes #57591 as a highlight in his collection which has Type 57SC Gangloff Cabriolet #57563.

#57591 was initially purchased by R.B. Pope of London in Dark Sapphire Blue. The car still bears its EXK6 plate from its original registration in the UK. It was supercharged in 1939, before being sold to notable author Barry Price in the sixties. Eventually New York designer Ralph Lauren picked up the car and commissioned Paul Russel to comprehensively restore #57591 using as many original parts as possible. During the lengthy two-year procedure, Paul and his team discovered details such as original tan goatskin upholstery and seats filled with horsehair bags wrapped in muslin. After the project was complete it was shown at the 1990 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance where it won best of show. Like many of Ralph's Bugattis the car is finished in black.

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Type 57S45

A special Type 57 S45 used a 4743 cc engine like the Tank.

Type 57S Tank

Another Tank, this time based on the "surbaissé" Type 57S, won Le Mans again in 1939. Shortly afterwards, Jean Bugatti took the winning car for a test on the Molsheim-Strasbourg road. Swerving to avoid a bicyclist on the closed road, Bugatti crashed the car and died at age 30.

References

*cite book |author=Ray Bonds |title=The Illustrated Directory of Sports Cars |publisher=Motorbooks |year=2003 |id=ISBN 0-7603-1420-9

External links