1939 Bugatti Type 57C 'Aravis' Cabriolet
- Engine
- 3.3L DOHC inline-eight with Roots supercharger, 180 hp
- Colour
- Green
Chassis 57815 is a supercharged 1939 Bugatti Type 57C, one of an estimated 96 blown examples built, completed in March 1939 as part of a five-car batch. Delivered new to a cognac producer in Bordeaux, it originally wore a factory Gangloff Galibier berline body. After passing through several American owners, the deteriorated original coachwork was replaced by a new Aravis cabriolet body built in Southampton to authentic 1938 Gangloff drawings, while the chassis, engine and transmission were fully overhauled in the Netherlands. The car retains matching chassis, engine, gearbox and rear axle numbers.
Ownership
- 2021-06-20Auction saleSold CHF 700,000 (≈ $770K)
- 1939-04-21 →Factory deliveryPatrick Bardinetfull documentation
Cognac producer based in Bordeaux; took delivery of the car new via the Bugatti agent Gascogne Automobiles at a price of 108,260 French francs, finished in green with Havana leather interior.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGattieapartial documentation
Second recorded owner; no further details given regarding tenure or location.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMichael Glasspartial documentation
Monte Carlo resident who subsequently relocated to the United States, bringing the car with him.
- Date unknownPrivate saleBob Seiffertpartial documentation
Based in Boulder, Colorado; purchased from Michael Glass and later sold the car onward.
- Date unknownPrivate saleBill Hindspartial documentation
Acquired from Bob Seiffert; no further details provided regarding tenure or location.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBill Jacobspartial documentation
Joliet, Illinois-based collector with an extensive collection; the original Galibier bodywork deteriorated beyond use after prolonged outdoor storage through harsh winters. He intended to commission an Aravis body but never did so, and sold the car after a three-year negotiation.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Seventh owner; purchased the car unseen by telephone, receiving it dismantled in 17 crates in Rotterdam. Commissioned a new Aravis cabriolet body from Vintage Cars of Southampton and had the chassis, engine, and transmission overhauled by Klopper Engineering in the Netherlands at a total restoration cost of approximately CHF 600,000.
Competition
- —Molsheim event
Entered shortly after restoration was completed and the car arrived in the Netherlands; covered approximately 1,800 km in the first month of use.
- —Alsace rally
Participated in the early period following restoration completion, alongside the Molsheim event, as part of initial post-restoration running.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
Original Gangloff Galibier berline body became unusable after extended exposure to harsh winter conditions during American ownership; body was eventually removed.
Deterioration occurred over many years while the car was stored outdoors in the Chicago area.
- —RestorationKlopper Engineering
Complete mechanical overhaul of chassis, engine and transmission carried out in the Netherlands, along with a full leather re-trim of the interior. Work was reported to be of high quality, with the car starting and running immediately on completion.
Performed concurrently with the new coachwork commission; total restoration cost was approximately CHF 600,000. Restoration photographs are held on file.
- —BodyworkVintage Cars of Southampton
New Aravis cabriolet body constructed to Gangloff design drawing 3942, dated November 1938, replacing the lost original coachwork. The vendor made eight visits to monitor progress.
Body built in the United Kingdom; the finished car was subsequently shipped to the Netherlands. Aravis design attributed to Gangloff designer Lucien Schlatter.
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