Autoblog

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic sells for a record $30+ Million

Noah Joseph — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Bugatti, Earnings/Financials

The Williamson Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic - Click above to enlarge

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful automobiles ever created, it's not every day that a Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic changes hands. Only four of examples were ever made, and only two or three of them are still around today. One is owned by Ralph Lauren, and another belonged to the late Dr. Peter Williamson. Californian auction house Gooding & Company has now announced that the Williamson Bugatti has changed hands for a record sum, and though the buyer and exact amount paid remain undisclosed, reports place it between $30-40 million, easily eclipsing the $12.2 million paid for a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa this time last year.

Until his recent passing, Dr. Williamson had amassed a considerable collection of classic Bugattis. Gooding had helped assemble the collection, and since his passing has helped his estate sell them off. But the Atlantic - the crown jewel of the collection and winner of the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance - was saved for last. According to reports, the car was acquired through Gooding by the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, where we recently went to check out the soon-to-be-rebuilt Bugatti Type 64 Coupe, so with a little luck we might have the opportunity to bring you the Atlantic in due course. Follow the jump for the press release from Gooding.

[Source: Gooding & Company]

Continue reading 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic sells for a record $30+ Million

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic sells for a record $30+ Million originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 May 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Monterey 2009: Medium rare or rare? Custom coachwork Bugatti Type 57s

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:41:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Bugatti

Custom coachwork Bugatti Type 57s at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours - Click above for a high-res image gallery

At the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Bugatti was allotted two classes: 100 Years of Style and Speed, and a second class devoted solely to the Type 57. Check that, a second class devoted to Type 57 models with special coachwork. As if any Bugatti Type 57 wasn't special enough, back in the day, customers could order an off-the-rack Type 57, or they could opt for a custom coachwork job arranged directly through Bugatti. They offered six different body styles: The Stelvio, Aravis, Galibier, Ventoux, Atalante and Atlantic.

Those bodies rode on standard chassis or lowered ones labeled with an "S." Customers also had the choice of either the standard naturally aspirated 8-cylinder engine or a supercharged version putting out 210 hp. Supercharged, lowered vehicles were dubbed the 57SC and those were and are the most desirable setup no matter what coachwork it wears. The four 57SC Atlantics built demand the most money, though.

Think of it like the current situation with the Veyron. You can order a "regular" Veyron 16.4, or you could get one of approximately one dozen special editions instead. After all, wouldn't you want to have a one-of-ten or one-of-one edition instead of a lousy one-of-fifty model? The difference in the Type 57 days was that the bodies completely changed from model to model, whereas the special editions today tend to revolve around paint schemes. It's a lot more like taking an Enzo to Pininfarina and turning it into a Ferrari P4/5, or taking a ZR1 Corvette to Bertone and driving off in a Mantide.

At Pebble, we were treated to a selection of nine Type 57 Bugattis ranging in year from 1935-1939. There was a bare chassis, a Bertelli of Feltham Cabriolet, Two-Light Ventoux Coupe (l), Graber Cabriolet, Paul Nee Pillarless Coupe, 57SC Atalante Coupe, Albert D'Ieteren Cabriolet, 57C Aravis, and a 57C Letourneur et Marchand Cabriolet (r). That Atalante took a well-deserved trophy for best in class. Be sure to check out our gallery to see these amazing Bugattis for yourself.

Gallery: Custom Coachwork Bugatti Type 57s At Pebble Beach

Monterey 2009: Medium rare or rare? Custom coachwork Bugatti Type 57s originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ralph Lauren's Bugatti Atlantic to headline Villa d'Este

Noah Joseph — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Bugatti, Misc. Auto Shows

Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic from the Ralph Lauren Collection - Click for a hi-res gallery

Ralph Lauren's Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic will headline the classic cars assembling for the annual Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este. The ultra-rare coupe, even rarer than the Type 57 Atalante recently unearthed from a garage in England, is one of only three ever built, and will be coming back to Europe for the first time in 18 years. The special appearance of special Bugatti will help the marque celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, and the show its 80th.

While the famous fashion designer's classic Bugatti is sure to garner its fair share of attention among the classic motors on the shores of Lake Como later this month, Bertone, Zagato and Morgan are anticipated to arrive with brand new designs of their own, promising to make this year's Villa d'Este assembly an especially memorable event.

Gallery: Speed, Style and Beauty: The Ralph Lauren Car Collection

[Source: Luxist]

Ralph Lauren's Bugatti Atlantic to headline Villa d'Este originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments