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1937 Bugatti Type 57/59 Super Sport Special Roadster
s/n 57608 (BC128) engine no. 453
Two-Tone Dark Blue and Silver with Dark Blue Leather Interior

This car is a spectacular no expense spared Bugatti special built with exceptional attention to detail. Constructed on a modified Bugatti Type 59 chassis sourced from Ray Jones, and registered with the Bugatti Owner’s Club with chassis number BC128, the car is powered by an original Type 57 engine, number 453, which is now fitted with Roots type supercharger and dry sump lubrication system. The car was designed, manufactured, and engineered by experts who were intimately familiar with Bugattis of the period, including Dave Holls, who styled the car. Holls worked as an automobile designer at General Motors for nearly forty years, eventually serving as director of design. He also founded the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance and served as its permanent chief judge, as well as an Honorary Judge at Pebble Beach from 1967 until his death in 2000. Additionally, Holls co-authored the definitive book A Century of Automotive Style: 100 Years of American Car Design. At every stage during this car’s design and construction, each decision was made with the purpose of constructing the car in the manner and style that would have been chosen by Jean and Ettore Bugatti. Indeed, even the decision to build a left hand drive car (all Bugattis were right hand drive) reflected Jean Bugatti’s desire to enter the lucrative US market.

Constructed over a more than 15 year period, the car was built around parts (including frame rails) sourced in 1987 from Ray Jones, famed Bugatti restorer. The car was constructed by Chuck Rahn and Andy Palmer, and was styled by Holls using his expertise from collecting and judging cars of this period. The bodywork was built out of hand formed aluminum, and the creation of this car required several trips to Europe, including visits Crosthwaite & Gardiner, Rich I’Anson, Ivan Dutton, Brineton Engineering, and several days at the Schlumpf Collection, including an afternoon consulting with Fritz Schlumpf. The car employs Type 59 suspension and brakes, with many parts supplied from the Bugatti Owners Club and various other suppliers in Europe who source parts for the restoration of Bugattis. The engine rebuild was performed by Phil Reilly and Company, and the powerplant is a supercharged dry sump Type 57 engine that produced 217.8 hp (reported to be the highest figure ever recorded for this type of engine) at 6000 rpm and 232 foot pounds of torque on the dyno. With a weight in the region of 1600 pounds, the car has an excellent power to weight ratio. The engine is number 453, an undisputed original unit that was originally fitted to the Type 57 bearing chassis number 57608, a Ventoux Coupe for which there is no record of existence since World War II. This car is titled as a 1937 Bugatti with serial number 57608 and this number has been stamped on the chassis behind the driver’s seat to facilitate registration and titling. The car went through a lengthy vetting process with the Bugatti Owner’s Club, and once the car’s character was proven to their satisfaction, they issued it a Bugatti Owner’s Club chassis plate and number, BC128.

The car’s construction is superbly documented with correspondence from the constructors, owners, invoices and comments from Holls, early design renderings, and extensive photographic documentation of the car’s construction. The car was featured in Bugatti Owner’s Club publication, Volume 72 number 1 from Spring 2009. The car’s first outing upon its completion was at the Quail Motorsports Gathering in 2005, where it created a tremendous splash and met with critical acclaim. Journalists reporting on the event noted that the car overshadowed the new Bugatti concept car on display, and that attendees immediately understood and were impressed by this car, a distinction that will permit this car to earn a place in history. The car was subsequently shown at many other places, and won several first places and Best in Shows. The level of craftsmanship and detailing are awe-inspiring, and the car perfectly captures the feel and mystique of these 1930’s Bugattis. It is so successful at this level because it not only achieves the correct feel at a high level in terms of its form and proportions, but perhaps equally importantly, in terms of its detailing.

Having seen minimal use since its completion, the car is in stunning cosmetic condition. The quality of the workmanship is first rate, and the car is done to the level required of a car that would sit on the lawn at any of the finest Concours d’Elegance around the world. The paintwork is first rate and virtually unmarked, and the bodywork is beautifully constructed in aluminum. The chrome and nickel brightwork are equally nice, and the detailing is exceptional. From the safety wired nuts securing the body to the elegantly integrated wind deflectors (the bottoms of which also serve as trafficators), the car displays attention to detail and quality of execution that equals the original Bugattis. The brakes and suspension are nicely detailed and beautifully executed, and the glass and lamps are excellent. The windscreen even has vintage style “Sekurit” lettering, and the headlamps are lovely Marchals with yellow French bulbs. There is also an integrated compartment in the right front fender, which is intended for tools.

The interior is equally stunning, with correct Bugatti components throughout, from the Jaeger instruments to the correct wood-rimmed steering wheel. Again the level of detailing is very impressive, such as the machined pedals and engine turned aluminum firewall and dashboard panels. The door pockets are leather and are embossed with the EB initials that are synonymous with Bugatti. The car has a special commission plate manufactured and engraved by Sturm, Ruger and Company, the legendary manufacturer of handmade firearms. There is also a flask in a beautifully wrought holder, presumably to help compensate for the lack of weather equipment. Although, it is worth noting that the car has a custom tonneau cover (again embossed with the EB logo) in dark blue leather to match the upholstery. The upholstery is excellent throughout, and all components are immaculate and beautifully finished. There are neat storage compartments behind the driver’s seat, along with the fuel tank and massive 2.3 gallon tank for the oil sump of the dry sump engine.

The engine compartment is a work of art. The engine bears the correct hand-scraped patterns on all of the casing, and again the firewall is lovely engine turned aluminum. Engine is very correct in appearance throughout, including the Roots type blower, spark plug leads, and cloth covered spark plug wires. The undercarriage is spotless and beautifully detailed and constructed, like the rest of the car. The car has seen extremely minimal use since its completion, and the undercarriage is accordingly like new.

This is a totally unique opportunity to acquire an absolutely stunning one-off Bugatti. Beautifully designed, constructed, and executed, this car captures the essence of what makes prewar Bugattis so unique and sought after, and answers a very interesting question of what a sporting and minimalist roadgoing roadster of the period might have looked like. The car was created in a no expense spared fashion with tremendous creative vision by those who were truly passionate about the marque, and the result is nothing short of stunning. Although the car is attractive in photos, seeing the car in person is simply awesome in a way that few cars of any era can achieve.

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The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.