Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Gangloff

One-off

The unique 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Gangloff is shrouded in mystery. The car is a true masterpiece of automotive engineering. This magnificent vehicle was designed by the legendary Italian car maker Ettore Bugatti and coachbuilder Gangloff. At the 1934 Paris Motor Show, this unique example was presented as a one off. Originally, 10 Grand Raid chassis were to be built, but this is the only example that was ultimately produced, with chassis number 57222.

Unique design

One of the most striking features is the excellent body design. The body is made of lightweight aluminum and has flowing lines and curves that give the car a sense of motion even when it is standing still. The famous horseshoe shaped grille is a distinctive design element of Bugatti. Characteristic of the design are the streamlined and elongated fenders, the V shaped windshield and the aerodynamic headrests. The angle of the steering column was adjusted to move the driver further back into the chassis, and the gear lever, handbrake and pedals were also repositioned.

The colors of the Bugatti family

If you quickly think of blue when you think of Bugatti (the national color of France in motor racing), the Grand Raid is black with yellow. These are the favorite colors of Bugattis founder, Ettore Bugatti, and were used by the Bugatti family. In 2022, the Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid from the Louwman Museum served as the model for the new Bugatti W16 Mistral, which was given the same tantalizing art deco curves and color combination.

Roadster Grand Raid

The name immediately evokes adventure. The word 'raid' is a French expression for a long rally through remote terrain, such as a desert. Bugatti also deliberately chose the name for this very sporty version of the Type 57 with the two aerodynamic bulges at the rear. They are reminiscent of the shapes of an airplane.

Rich history

Shortly after Ettore Bugatti amazed the world with his magnificent design at the Paris Motor Show, the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Gangloff was driven in the Paris-Nice-Paris rally by the legendary racer Pierre Veyron - the man whose name was given to the first Bugatti hypercar of the modern Bugatti era. In April 1935, Robert Benoist took first place with this car in the Chavigny hill climb event. The car was sold in 1946 to its first postwar owner. Since 2001, the Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Gangloff has been on display at the Louwman Museum in The Hague and is in exactly the same condition as when it was first presented at the Paris Motor Show.

Come see the Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Gangloff!