The different variants of the Bugatti Type 57

One of Bugattis best known models is the Type 57, a model from the 1930s. It combines a handsome looking engine with a traditional chassis, often fitted with striking bodywork.

The Bugatti Type 57 has gone down in history as Bugattis best known non racing car. It is also the model that the factory in Molsheim built in large numbers, around 700 units. Only the Type 44 was produced in greater numbers. Production ran from 1933 until the late 1930s.

To introduce the Type 57 to the general public, Bugatti presented at the 1934 Paris Motor Show the model fitted with an exceptional body that caused a huge sensation. The bodywork was almost futuristic. It was a so called roadster, an open two seater equipped with headrests for driver and passenger. These extended backwards to halfway down the (for a Bugatti) long rear end. It even looked like an airplane, as was said according to articles from that time.

The model is known as "Grand Raid" and is one of six Bugattis on display at the Louwman Museum.

By putting this remarkable car on display as a crowd puller, Bugatti effectively overshadowed the simpler versions of the Type 57.

The Type 57 was the first Bugatti to which Ettore's son, Jean, contributed. The artistic Jean clearly influenced the design of the various models that were built on the Type 57. Originally, the Type 57 was built as a two-seater, but it later also became available as a four-seater.

The 1934 Bugatti catalog already mentioned four different models, Galabier, Ventoux, Stelvio and Grand Raid.

A year later the Atalante was added, and in 1938 the Aravis and the Atlantic. The first two types were four seaters, while the others carried two lucky passengers.

The car's technical specifications were impressive for that time. A very handsome inline eight cylinder engine delivered enough power (about 135 hp) to give the heavy car surprisingly strong performance.

The chassis was typically Bugatti: solid but a bit old fashioned. Rigid rear suspension and limited independent front suspension. Not a pure sports car, but an ideal car for long, fast journeys.

De introductie van het nieuwe model viel goed en de orders kwamen binnen. Veel van de auto’s werden compleet door de Bugatti fabriek zelf afgeleverd, dus met carrosserie. Dit was bijzonder in die tijd. De zelf ontworpen koetsweken kwamen tot stand onder leiding van Jean Bugatti, die de diverse modellen een eigen identiteit gaf. Alleen de bijzonder modellen, zoals de Grand Raid, werden “buitenshuis” gemaakt. In het geval van de eerder genoemde auto op de salon van Parijs, was dit Gangloff, een van origine Zwitsers bedrijf dat jaren daarvoor het gereputeerde bedrijf Widerkehr uit Colmar had overgenomen. In het Louwman Museum is overigens een Renault 40CV Type JP Touring voorzien van een Widerkehr koetswerk te bewonderen.

Although the performance of the Type 57 was more than respectable for its time, people still did not find the car sporty enough. Two variants were developed: one with a lowered chassis, the 57 S ("Surbaisse"), and a version with a more powerful engine equipped with a supercharger, the 57 C ("Compresseur"), with an output of around 160 hp. Later engines were further tuned to almost 200 hp. This also put an end to what some saw as the "dusty" character of the Type 57. The most exclusive variant of the 57 was the SC model, fitted with the lower chassis and the supercharged engine. The coupe version of this model, called Atlantic, is regarded by many as the most desirable Bugatti. Two original examples still exist.

Several of the types listed in the 1934 catalog were named after mountain passes. These also turned out to be the best selling models.

The more exotic models such as the Atalante and the Aravis were less in demand. The prices of these models were also considerably higher.

Finally, a version of the Type 57 was developed that was meant to fulfill a dream of father and son Bugatti: a winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This was pretty much the only race that had (still) not been won by Bugatti. The car was given the designation 57 G and was a slightly tuned Type 57 (so with an engine without supercharger) fitted with a highly streamlined, fully enclosed body in the so called tank style. Bugatti had already used this shape earlier on Grand Prix cars from the early 1920s. The traditional Bugatti radiator, always a prominent feature on the cars, was even hidden beneath the streamlined bodywork.

The wish came true. The car won in 1937 and again two years later, in 1939. That year it was even a 1-2 finish. If any proof was still needed, the Type 57 had now firmly secured its place in the history books.

Peter Helbach