Exquisite 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante for Sale at Eight-Figure Price

FYI: The legendary 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante, winner of its class at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, is set to go under the hammer at Gooding & Company during Monterey Car Week next month.

## A Peek into the History of the 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante

In the classic car world, the Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante holds near-mythical status. Bugatti produced a mere 42 of these vehicles between 1936 and 1938, with only 17 surviving to this day. Designed by Jean Bugatti, the Atalante’s bodywork was crafted in-house in Molsheim, diverging from the norm of outsourcing to external coachbuilders. The name “Atalante” is inspired by the huntress of Greek mythology, Artemis’ Arcadian counterpart.

Chassis 57573 rolled out of production in September 1937, as one of the final models of this iconic series. It graced prestigious events like the Salon de l’Automobile in Paris and the Earl’s Court Motor Show in London before being sold to C. Ian Craig, an avid Bugatti aficionado from a wealthy Irish lineage.

## A Legacy of Renowned Owners and Iconic Colors

Craig repainted the Atalante to match his other race cars, switching to a striking black and white livery. Its journey continued as Craig frequently drove it between England and St. Moritz, Switzerland, even participating in the 1939 Lewis Speed Trials. Subsequently, the car changed hands to David L. Griffiths Hughes, a British Bugatti enthusiast who not only repainted it in two-tone gray but also upgraded it to 57SC specifications by fitting a Roots supercharger from Lord Rothschild’s Bugatti Atlantic, boosting the horsepower to an impressive 200.

## Transcontinental Journeys and Expert Restorations

The Atalante eventually crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing with Chicago’s Charles Glore, who commissioned a comprehensive restoration by Bugatti. Over the years, it found its way into the hands of various collectors. Notably, Vojta Maszek sold it to Dr. Peter Williamson, the then-president of the Bugatti Club of America, in 1965. Another meticulous restoration occurred in the late 1990s, and in 2006, a UK collector repainted the Atalante in its original black and white to honor the early owner.

In 2013, the car was acquired by a California-based private collector, who sent it to Sargent Metal Works for an exhaustive, no-expense-spared restoration. This effort aimed to bring the car back to its 1937 show specifications while retaining the enhanced supercharger. The car made a triumphant return at that year’s Pebble Beach Concours, clinching first place in its class, besting two other Type 57Ss.

## Unmatched Craftsmanship and Elegant Design

The 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante boasts a numbers-matching chassis, bodywork, and engine, making it one of the world’s finest examples of the model. Its dramatic dark blue paintwork, chrome accents, and brown interior exude timeless elegance. The Type 57’s low-slung “surbaissé” chassis, which allows the rear axle to pass through the frame, grants it striking proportions and an exceedingly sleek profile.

## Anticipation for the Upcoming Auction

Gooding & Company’s upcoming auction marks the first time the Atalante will be available to the public. With an estimated price between $9 million and $11 million, the car is sure to garner intense interest from collectors. Given that Gooding sold another Type 57SC Atalante for $10 million just two years ago, expectations for this pristine model are even higher.

Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi

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