1939 Bugatti Type 57C
- Engine
- 3.3L twin-cam straight-eight, supercharged
- Colour
- Deep red
Chassis 57838 is a 1939 Bugatti Type 57C, invoiced in late July of that year and delivered without coachwork to the marque's London agency before receiving a two-seat roadster body by Vanden Plas. The car passed to Edward G. Thomson, noted patron of Ecurie Ecosse, who retained it for several decades. After a series of subsequent owners, the car underwent comprehensive mechanical and bodywork restoration in the mid-2000s, emerging with a new Corsica-inspired body featuring pontoon fenders, a deep red exterior, and tan leather trim; the original crankcase stampings confirm the car's identity.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$527,500
- 1939 → 1970Acquisition unknownEdward G. Thomsonpartial documentation
Believed to have originally ordered the car before the war but only took possession afterward. A period photograph documents his ownership, showing him at a sand racing event in Scotland with the original registration plates.
- 1970 →Acquisition unknownLeonard Potterpartial documentation
Acquired the car as part of Thomson's broader collection sale. Due to deterioration of the original bodywork, commissioned a replica Corsica two-seater roadster body based on a well-known Tourist Trophy car, built by a specialist restorer.
- → 1980Acquisition unknownPeter Harperpartial documentation
Acted as a dealer who facilitated the car's export to the United States in 1980 on behalf of a client.
- 1980 → 1989Private saleBryon Whitepartial documentation
Massachusetts-based buyer who acquired the car through dealer Peter Harper upon its arrival in the United States.
- 1989 →Private saleOscar Davispartial documentation
Initiated a comprehensive multi-year mechanical restoration beginning in 2004, accompanied by construction of a new Corsica-style body with pontoon fenders and period-appropriate interior trim.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRoney Clarkpartial documentation
Competition
- —Sand racing event, St. AndrewsDriver: Edward G. Thomson
A photograph on file shows Thomson driving the car at this Scottish beach racing event, still wearing its original registration plates.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2004RestorationLeydon Restorations
A comprehensive multi-year mechanical restoration was undertaken, accompanied by construction of a new Corsica-style body featuring teardrop pontoon fenders and a low-cut fixed windscreen, finished in deep red with tan leather interior and a wooden dashboard housing Jaeger instruments.
Bodywork constructed separately by D.L. George Historic Motorcars. The original crankcase retains stampings matching the factory data and register book.
- —BodyworkAshton Keynes Vintage Restorations
With the original Vanden Plas coachwork largely lost over the decades — only hood, fenders, and two seats surviving — a replica of the Corsica two-seater roadster body (referencing chassis 57326) was fabricated and fitted.
Work carried out by Keith Bowley; commissioned by Leonard Potter due to insufficient photographic record of the original bodywork.
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