1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante
- Engine
- Dual overhead cam inline engine, upgraded with revised pistons, special intake manifold, and adjusted valve guides and camshaft
- Colour
- Single monochromatic finish (repainted to original color after a prior two-tone black and red respray)
Bugatti Type 57 Atalante chassis 57254, assembled at Molsheim in spring 1935, is among the earliest examples of this rare coachwork style — technically the third Atalante built and one of only four prototypes. Bodied by Carrosserie Bugatti rather than the more commonly used Gangloff, it features distinctive details including a uniquely low roofline and forward-leaning rear spats. First delivered to two-time Targa Florio champion Meo Costantini, the car subsequently spent 62 consecutive years with a single French family before passing to French collector ownership. It retains its original matching-numbers engine, unmodified cable brakes, body panels stamped '3', and largely untouched interior, with a recorded total of just over 25,700 kilometres.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €3,024,000 (≈ $3.33M)
- 1935-05-25 → 1936-03-01Factory deliveryMeo Costantinifull documentation
Legendary Bugatti co-director and former racing manager; took delivery nine days after assembly was completed. Returned the car to Molsheim after two months for engine upgrades including new pistons and revised intake manifold.
- 1936-03-01 → 1936-04-01Acquisition unknownMr Rigaudpartial documentation
Resident of the Seine department; held the car only briefly before passing it on the following month.
- 1936-04-01 → 1998-12-01Private saleLouis Dubreuilfull documentation
Livestock merchant from Mauze sur le Mignon who registered the car in November 1936 and used it as a daily driver until the Second World War, after which it was stored. He attempted unsuccessfully to trade it back to Bugatti for a Type 57S. A colour change to two-tone black and red was made during his ownership. He died in 1957.
- 1957 → 1998-12-01InheritanceDubreuil's niecepartial documentation
Inherited the car from her uncle upon his death and kept it essentially in storage for approximately 41 years before selling it.
- 1998-12-01 →Private saleFrench collectorpartial documentation
Purchased the car after 62 years in the Dubreuil family; briefly sold it to another private buyer before reacquiring it. The car was repainted in its original single-colour finish during this period of ownership.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1935Engine rebuildBugatti factory, Molsheim
Engine disassembled and reassembled with upgraded pistons and a bespoke intake manifold; valve guides and camshaft also adjusted. Documented by a factory repair note.
Work carried out approximately two months after first delivery, at the request of original owner Meo Costantini.
- —Bodywork
Exterior repainted in a two-tone black and red scheme, departing from the original single-colour finish. This occurred during Louis Dubreuil's period of ownership.
- —Bodywork
Car returned to its original monochromatic paint finish, reversing the two-tone scheme applied during the Dubreuil era.
- —Inspection
Condition assessment and historical inspection carried out by recognised Bugatti marque authority Pierre-Yves Laugier, with resulting notes forming part of the car's documentation.
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