Vintage 1939 Bugatti Type 57 heading to auction

In late January, RM Sotheby’s will attempt to find a buyer for this venerable Bugatti Type 57. The 86-year-old car was one of the last examples produced in its batch and features particularly rare bodywork crafted by Gangloff, making it exceptionally valuable. Add to that a completely transparent record, and you shouldn’t be surprised that it is being estimated at U.S. $1.75–2.5 million.

Back in the era, Bugatti fitted the Type 57 chassis produced at its Molsheim factory with one out of three available body types. A couple of years into the production, Jean Bugatti came up with a new two-seater version of the car, called the Atalante. By 1939, most of the Type 57 models leaving the factory in Molsheim had four doors and seats; the other modifications were either retired from production or made in small numbers for third-party coachbuilders to finalize.

This particular Atalante coupe was ordered by one Louis Dupont, from Algeria, in the spring of 1939. The owner contracted Gangloff to put a body on it. The company had previously worked with this model, so the design seen here isn’t unique – but it is still exceptionally rare. Different car historians estimate that either five or ix such cars were delivered in total. Each received a long, coattail-like rear overhang and a roll-back cloth top.

According to the auction holder, the price estimates aren’t any higher than they are solely because the car isn’t completely unique. Still, with its chassis, bodywork and powertrain almost completely genuine and intact, it should make a fine collection piece.