1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Cabriolet
- Colour
- Royal blue with black sweep panel
A 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio cabriolet, chassis 57406, bodied to Jean Bugatti's elegant four-passenger design with characteristic pontoon fenders and a rounded tail. Exhibited at the Nantes International Fair before its first sale, the car passed through several French owners before entering the collection of Alexander Ulmann — founder of Sebring and a towering figure in American motorsport — who kept it until his death in 1986. A subsequent West Coast restoration returned the car to a two-tone blue scheme with grey leather interior. The original engine, rear axle, and transmission survive.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$900,000 – US$1,200,000
- —Auction saleSold US$681,500
- 1936-08-08 →Private saleR. Petitpartial documentation
First retail owner, purchased directly following the car's display at the Nantes international trade fair.
- → 1974Acquisition unknownJacques Dufilhopartial documentation
Well-known French actor residing in the Latin Quarter of Paris; family photographs on file document an extended period of personal use and enjoyment.
- 1974 → 1986Private saleAlexander E. Ulmannfull documentation
Prominent Florida-based collector and founder of the Sebring endurance race; ran the car in light blue and black without rear spats, as documented in a New York photograph from early in his tenure. Ownership confirmed in the American Bugatti Register.
- 1986 → 1988InheritanceMary Ulmannpartial documentation
Widow of Alexander Ulmann; retained the car for approximately two years following his death before selling it.
- 1988 →Private saleWest Coast private collectionpartial documentation
Unnamed prominent collection on the US West Coast; commissioned a full restoration updating the livery to two-tone royal blue and black with pale grey leather and re-fitting the rear wheel spats and chromed wire wheels.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMr. Ferrandpartial documentation
During this ownership the car received several upgrades including later-style integrated headlamps, rear wheel spats, front bumpers, and Lockheed hydraulic brakes; period photographs from the 1940s document the car in this configuration.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLong-term caretaker over past two decadespartial documentation
Current consignor who has held the car for roughly twenty years; car remains in presentable post-restoration condition with minor finish wear.
Competition
- 1936Nantes International FairFactory display exhibit
The car was dispatched by the factory to this trade exhibition prior to its first retail sale in August 1936.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
The car received updated later-style headlamps integrated into the front fenders, rear wheel spats, front bumper moustaches, and a conversion to Lockheed hydraulic brakes from the original cable-brake system. The standard of work suggests factory or authorised agent involvement.
Period photographs from the 1940s confirm these changes were already in place by that time, consistent with 1937–39 Bugatti practice.
- —Restoration
A comprehensive restoration carried out by the West Coast collection updated the livery to a two-tone royal blue and black sweep-panel finish, fitted pale grey leather upholstery, reinstalled the rear wheel spats, and chromed the wire wheels in the manner available from Bugatti from 1937.
The odometer reading of 1,047 kilometres is believed to represent distance covered since this restoration was completed.
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