Jean Bugatti's masterpiece — including the Atlantic, perhaps the most valuable car ever sold.
The Type 57 was Jean Bugatti's defining road-car design, built from 1934 to 1940 with a 3,257cc twin-cam inline-eight. The standard 57 was joined by the lowered, supercharged 57S (low chassis) and 57SC (supercharged), with body styles including the Atalante coupe, Stelvio cabriolet, Galibier saloon, Ventoux coupe and — most famously — the Atlantic, of which only four were built. One Atlantic is widely reported to have changed hands privately for over $40 million.
Some of the most celebrated coachwork of the pre-war era; Atlantic and 57SC examples are at the very top of the global market.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 57 | 1934–1940 | — | Standard chassis; multiple body styles. |
| Type 57S | 1936–1938 | — | Low chassis, sporting specification; very rare. |
| Type 57SC | 1936–1938 | — | Supercharged 57S; the rarest mainstream variant. |
| Type 57 Atlantic | 1936–1938 | 4 | Two- and four-seat coupe with riveted spine; only four built. |
For pre-war and vintage cars such as the Bugatti Type 57 / 57S / 57SC, provenance is paramount. Chassis and engine number matching, period coachbuilder records, factory build sheets where available, continuous ownership documentation, original handbooks and any competition or concours history are the foundation of value. Body style (Atlantic > 57SC > 57S > 57), originality of chassis-body pairing, Bugatti Trust documentation, and continuous history.
The 3.3-litre twin-cam straight-eight is sophisticated but well-known to specialists; supercharged cars are more highly stressed. Compression, oil pressure and carburetion are routine inspection items. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognised marque specialist should include compression and leak-down testing, magneto and ignition checks, chassis straightness and frame survey, axle and steering wear assessment, brake system review (mechanical or hydraulic per period), and an extended road test on varied terrain to expose carburation, cooling and gearbox issues that only emerge under sustained running.
Pre-war coachwork is rarely truly original after a century of use. Establish whether the body is original to the chassis (period photographs, build records, coachbuilder plates), whether it has been re-bodied at any point, and the standard of any restoration. Quality of timber framing, ash health, panel beating and paint depth are all critical. Concealed structural rot, re-bodies presented as original, and 'tribute' cars built on later or unrelated chassis must be priced accordingly.
Atlantic and 57SC Atalante lead the market by an enormous margin; standard 57 coupes and saloons offer the supercharged-derivative drivetrain at materially more accessible prices. For vintage cars, event eligibility — Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival, Pebble Beach, VSCC events, Le Mans Classic — can underwrite a substantial proportion of market value. Verify FIA/FIVA papers, period race history where claimed, and the car's standing with the relevant marque registry before purchase.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Vintage cars require disciplined preventive maintenance: lubrication regimes, magneto service, carburettor synchronisation, brake adjustment, and timber and trim conservation. A car used regularly and serviced annually by a specialist will outlast a stored example neglected for decades.
Strong international Bugatti specialist network; parts available through marque suppliers in France and elsewhere. Confirm the availability of marque specialists, period-correct fasteners, coachwork trim, instruments and tyres before committing. A car requiring fabricated one-off parts will absorb time and cost that a similar example with active specialist support will not.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
Atlantic and 57SC are top-of-market; standard 57 coupes and dropheads are firm; saloons remain undervalued.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-16 | Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach | 1937 Type 57S Atalante | — | $10,345,000 Sold |
Jean Bugatti's defining design. The top end is finite and almost untradeable; mainstream cars are firm.
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Register interestThe valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
