By Gary Geyer
If you ever decide to buy me a present, this is what I’d like: The 1938
Bugatti 57SC ‘Atlantic’ two-door coupe. Don’t bother searching for it in
all the usual used car places – it is considered the most exclusive of all
the Bugatti designed bodies, which is saying quite a lot.
Only four were built and the two that have survived in largely original
condition are today among the most sought after and valuable cars in
the world.
The Bugatti ‘Atlantic’ sported a beautiful aerodynamic body with a
highly unusual construction. This was needed because of the extensive
use of the magnesium alloy ‘Electron’. Developed in the aeronautical
industry, this material was as light as it was strong but had one major
drawback: it was also very volatile. As a result welding the panels
was not an option. Instead they were riveted together, giving the
body a very distinct look with a ‘spine’ running front to back and over
the front and rear fenders. (Subsequent models (57S/SC) of which
there were only 40 built, were made of aluminum but retained that
distinctive spine.)
In 1988, one of the two remaining originals was acquired by fashion
designer Ralph Lauren who had it meticulously restored by Paul
Russell. It has since been shown sporadically at events around the
world. In 2005 the car was displayed in the Boston Museum of Fine Art
alongside the rest of the Ralph Lauren collection.
Today the Atlantic is generally considered Bugatti’s ultimate creation,
which, by default, makes it one of the finest cars ever constructed.
The futuristic art-deco lines with its beautiful details also make it a
true icon. During the last decades the two original cars have been in
long-term ownership and only the death of one of the owners resulted
in one coming to the market.
It sold in the spring of 2010 for well over $30 million, the highest
known price ever paid for a car. What can I tell you, I have expensive
tastes.
Gary Geyer is Chief Editor of "Let Life In."
Production of the 1936-1938 Bugatti Type 57S/SC:
Approximately 40
Specifications of the 1936-1938 Bugatti Type 57S/SC:
Wheelbase, inches: 118.0
Length, inches: 159.0
Weight, pounds: Approximately 2,700
Price, new: NA
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