1939 Bugatti Type 57C Galibier Saloon
edited by David Barth, 25 November 2008.
Courtesy "The Auto Collections" showroom at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino in Las, Vegas, Nevada, USA. Photos were
taken 18 November 2008.
Chassis number: 57752
Engine number: 57476
- 1938: This beautifully restored Type 57C is a 3rd series car and is number 19 of 27 cars built between
October 1938 and July 1939. Of the 27 cars built during that period, only 11 cars were supercharged. This particular
car was delivered new to Benoit Levet Arnaud of Lyon, France.
- 1955: In 1955 the car was sold to Monique Vallon of Paris, France.
- 1960: It was sold in 1960 to an F. Chevalerias of Paris, France.
- 1964: In 1964 the car was purchased by Christian Chassaing de Bosredon who
had the car in his museum in Paris until 1986.
At the time these photos were taken, the showroom had in its files a compiled history by Pierre Ives Laugier which
included copies of the original registrations. Also available was information regarding mechanical and detail work
by Todd Bymeon of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Price: $425,000
History:
Ettore Bugatti began manufacturing Bugattis in Molsheim, Basrhin, Alsace in Northern France in 1909. He was born in
1881 in Milan, Italy. Famous cars included the Type 35 and the Type 41 (La Royale).
By the mid-1930's, an atmosphere
of confrontation, nationwide, between factory management and the workers drove Ettore leave Molsheim and go to Paris.
His son, Jean, took over and helped the company enjoy continued success with the Type 57 which remained in production
until 1939 when Jean was killed testing a racer when he swerved to avoid a drunken cyclist.
Characteristics of the Type 57:
- Engine configuration: Straight-eight
- Camshaft: Double-overhead camshaft
- Bore: 72mm
- Stroke:100mm
- Displacement: 3.3 liters (200 cubic inches)
- Power: 140 hp at 4,800 rpm
- Top speed: 100 mph
- Weight: 2,100 lbs
- Wheelbase: 130 inches
- Transmission: Four-speed, constant-mesh
During WWII, the Germans took over the Bugatti factory to build amphibious vehicles and torpedoes. After the war, Ettore
tried to launch the Type 73, but the project was terminated with his death in 1947.
