Auto auction house Bohnams is preparing to host its Legends of the Road Sale event in February. Among the vehicles set to roll into the spotlight, none brings the level of anticipation as does the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S. A car that hasn’t seen the spotlight since 1969 and could be considered the last “hidden” pre-war Bugatti left in the world. Like its modern great-grand siblings, the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S was one of the fastest and exclusive luxury cars of its time.
According to Bonhams listing on the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S, the car’s first owner was Robert Ropner, a Ropner Shipping Line family member. Coachbuilding outfit Corsica of London completed the car to Ropner’s specifications. It features a four-seat layout built on a unique lightweight chassis, of which Bugatti built only three examples. This lighter chassis was intended to be used for the 1936 Bugatti Type 57G dubbed “Tank,” which went on to win the 1936 French Grand Prix and broke a world speed record. It is believed that Bugatti repurposed one of the three 57G chassis to build this ’37 Type 57S. The car is powered by Bugatti’s 3.3-liter twin-cam eight-cylinder inline engine producing 135 horsepower. Bohnams states the vehicle is in remarkable original condition, with pristine black paintwork and near-perfect original cream leather interior. This car’s estimated value is well north of six million dollars and could potentially reach as much as ten million at auction.
On the topic of car auctions, check out The 1993 Isdera Commendatore 112i going up for auction in February in Paris.
