Over the decades, Bugatti has crafted some of the best luxury sports cars on the planet. Yet, the Type 57 is still one of the most iconic the company has ever produced. Made from 1934 to 1940, the Type 57 saw several variations from the 57C and 57S to the rarer Atlante and Atlantic models. They were groundbreaking in their design work and performance and are still adored to this day.
While most look at the higher-end models, even a “basic” Bugatti Type 57 was a car unlike any other of its time. The better ones were stunning with then-groundbreaking turbochargers, a gorgeous exterior design, and bits like “lowering” an engine that were standouts. The fact that it’s also a rare model with just over seven hundred made adds to its prestige. There are so many reasons to remember the Bugatti Type 57, but these are some of the best reasons this car remains a masterpiece.
10 It Was A Personal Favorite Of Jean Bugatti
Jean Bugatti was a key part of his family’s company rising to prominence. His design work established classics like the Type 41 Royale, but the Type 57 is his masterpiece. It was clear Jean loved the designs for the base version as well as the Ventoux, Stelvio, Atalante, and Atlantic models.
He loved the design as well as bits like the independent suspension systems and took major pride in his work. So perhaps it’s fitting Jean ended up dying while driving a Type 57 prototype in 1939, given how much of his life he poured into this beautiful work.
9 It Married Sports And Luxury Brilliantly
Given Bugatti has always been known for its status as a luxury car, it’s not surprising the Type 57 carried that. The interiors were built for two people at the most but exquisite with leather seating and wood paneling and a nicely designed steering wheel.
The Atlantique was even more stunning thanks to the unique design of its doors and more expensive materials. Even by today’s standards, the luxury of the Type 57 stood out and was as good to ride in as it was to race.
8 It Broke Ground In Supercharged Engines
In the 1930s, it took a bit just to get a car engine regularly charged, let alone “supercharged.” Yet the Type 57 managed to make a great mark with several supercharger options for their machines. The SC Atlantic was so strong that owners demanded it be given a supercharger to enhance its power.
These chargers may pale a bit compared to today’s advanced engines, but for their time, they could push a Type 57 to 200 hp and cement its status as one of the best cars of its time.
7 The Unique Engine Lowering
A groundbreaking addition for its time, several Bugatti Type 57s models had a unique turn of lowering the engine. This involved the rear axle passing through the rear frame rather than riding under it, and a dry-sump lubrication system was required to fit the engine under the new low hood.
This made the car leaner and meaner on the road, allowing it to go much faster. This was combined with fiber wheel grids for a smoother and quieter ride. Even today, lowering an engine like this is rare so the Surbaissé Compresseur was a stunning achievement for Bugatti.
6 It Was A Champion Racer
The 24 Hours Le Mans race is one of the most respected in the world. Bugatti has entered a few cars in it over the years and the Type 57 was one of their most successful. The specialized 57SC Coupe was victorious in the 1937 Le Mans under driver Robert Benoist.
Later, despite its slow-sounding name, the Tank version won Le Mans in 1939. Those models go for high prices as the legacy of the Type 57 as a champion racer added to its prestige as not just a gorgeous car but one of the fastest of its time.
5 It Drove Like A Dream
Not only was the Bugatti stylish and fast but it handled better than most cars of its time. Even with a turbocharged engine, it could be graceful thanks to the Telecontrol Hartford friction shock absorber.
Combined with the conversion to hydraulic stoppers and the car took the curves with ease yet could stop on a dime for a fantastic experience. A top-of-the-line Type 57 was easily one of the best handling cars of its era.
4 It Was One Of The First Exclusive Cars
With just 710 made in total, the Bugatti Type 57 was a rare car for its time. It was one of the first cars to be made exclusively for high-end owners and often hand-crafted for an owner’s specifications. That means finding a near-pristine copy is quite rare.
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The Atlantic was so rare only four models were made and one was worth almost $115 million. World War II ended its production, yet the Bugatti Type 57 set a standard for exclusive cars that continues today.
3 The Speed Was Stunning
In the 1930s, a car hitting a hundred miles an hour was quite the achievement. The Bugatti Type 57 base versions used the 3.3l twin-cam engine from the Type 49, while heavily modified by Jean Bugatti. Even cut down for civilian use, that meant speeds hitting just under 100 mph.
The S and C variants increased that while the Atalante was stellar and the Atlantic could be supercharged to 200 hp. For its time, it was an amazing speedster and added to its aura as a car that could be luxurious but also leave other sports cars of the time in the dust.
2 The Construction Was Unique
It makes sense a unique car needs to be constructed differently. Each Type 57 was slightly different, molded by hand and then carefully put together as they were meant to be constructed for the customer's wishes.
The rarer models like the Atalante used Elektron sheet, a combination of aluminum and magnesium material that couldn’t be welded so riveted externally, creating the distinctive seam that set the car apart from others. The fact no two Type 57s were exactly alike added to their uniqueness and
1 The Style Is Gorgeous
What makes the Bugatti Type 57 so amazing still is always that style. Even for the 1930s, it was a stunning sight, the curves and slopes unlike anything seen before and few times since. Almost teardrop-shaped, it included the doors opening all the way to the ceiling for more room and aided its performance.
The variants of the Atlantic and Atalante were even more striking and gorgeous to make the Type 57 a gem. Even decades later it’s a work of automotive art that never fails to enthrall those who see it.