1939 Bugatti 57C Atalante

THE LAST BUGATTI TYPE 57 PRODUCED

WHEN WORLD WAR II ENDED and Bugatti was able to resume production, the factory was affected by the same material shortages that were troubling the rest of Europe. For its first post-war cars, therefore, the marque determined to make use of those parts that had survived the German occupation. Chassis 57801 was constructed from such components and was the final car ever completed in the Type 57 series. Built by the factory in 1949 for an unknown price and buyer, Chassis 57801 was purchased by Mr. Proust at some point during the next nine years.  Mr. Proust upgraded the car with a supercharger. In 1958, the car was sold to Jean De Dobbeleer, who had it repainted in a dark, 2-tone scheme. Mr. Haynes, an American, was the next owner, eventually selling it to Santiago de Zayas of Connecticut some time in the early 1960s. Mr. de Zayas, in turn, soon sold the car to Ursula Biddle of Pennsylvania. While in her possession, Chassis 57801 experienced a break down and as a result, it was stored in a leaky barn for a number of years. It continued to deteriorate under such conditions, and by the time the car was rescued by Tiny Gould circa 1973, it had been significantly damaged by rust and rot. It was in this non-running condition that Gould sold the car to Don Williams at Blackhawk in 1983. Williams had it restored by Phil Reilly & Co., a vintage auto repair shop in California. Peter Mullin pruchased the completed car through auction in 1987.

SPEC OVERVIEW:
Coachbuilder: Carrosserie Gangloff
Chassis No. 57801
Production No. 1 of 550 Type 57s 
  (1 of 106 Type 57Cs)
Engine No. Unknown
Inline Eight-Cylinder Engine
160 BHP At 5,000 RPM
3,257 CC Supercharged
Double Overhead Camshafts
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
Solid Front Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs and Telescopic Shocks, Live Rear Axle with Reversed Quarter-Elliptical Leaf Springs and Telescopic Shock Absorbers
4-Wheel Hydraulically - Operated Drum Brakes