When Bugatti’s spectacular Type 57 debuted in 1934, it would ultimately prove to be the final all-French design in the marque’s short but brilliant history. Company patriarch Ettore Bugatti was fully committed to developing the petrol-powered rail cars ordered by the French government, so design of the new high-performance touring car was handed over to his talented son, Jean – who was just 23 years old at the time. Jean and senior engineers Pichetto and Domboy were wholly responsible for the specification of the car from the ground up, including the chassis, engine, and factory coachwork designs. To compete in the market, Bugatti needed a fresh design; one that retained the performance and style for which Bugatti was known, while offering new levels of comfort and easy operation.

The Type 57 was based around an all-new twin-cam, inline eight-cylinder engine displacing 3,257 cubic centimeters. Only the basic layout was shared with earlier models, as the block (with integrated head) and crankcase were all new items. A series of bevel gears drove the camshafts, which offered superior refinement over the previous straight-cut style. In standard form, the new engine was capable of a highly respectable 135 horsepower. While the Type 57 was not officially raced, the fundamental engine design was shared with the Type 59 Grand Prix cars. The chassis featured Bugatti’s traditional solid front axle which had been highly developed and well-proven by hundreds of racing victories. Bugatti further refined the ride and handling to suit the Type 57s intended purpose as a fast yet luxurious touring car. While American companies like Packard and Cadillac had begun to offer synchronized transmissions, Bugatti retained a non-synchro gearbox, but with quieter helical cut gears and a smoother change from the older dog-type gear-change of older models. This fabulous chassis were then clothed in a series of factory-designed saloon, coupe, and cabriolet bodies in addition to some of the most spectacular art-deco coachwork by coachbuilders including Figoni et Falaschi, Gangloff, and Saoutchik. The factory offered four distinct styles; the Galibier Saloon, Ventoux four-passenger coupe, four-seat Stelvio cabriolet, and the two-seat Atalante coupe. The Bugatti Type 57 and its derivatives are counted among the most important collector cars of all time, offering stunning looks, electrifying performance and the historical importance that only comes with the great cars from Molsheim.