1937 Bugatti Type 57S Vanvooren Cabriolet
- Engine
- 3.3L DOHC inline-eight, dry sump, magneto ignition, ~170 bhp
- Colour
- Black over yellow
Bugatti Type 57S chassis 57513 is a Vanvooren-bodied cabriolet, one of only four such bodies on the 57S platform and among three known survivors. Completed in March 1937 and delivered to Parisian industrialist François Labesse in July of that year, the car retains its original matching-numbers engine, gearbox, chassis, and coachwork. Its documented British ownership history includes Bugatti enthusiasts Jack Lemon Burton and Ronnie Symondson, the latter entering it in hillclimbs and club events in 1954 before the car passed through further hands. The 57S represents the pinnacle of pre-war Bugatti engineering, combining a dry-sump twin-cam eight, lowered chassis, and aerodynamic coachwork.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$7,700,000
- 1937 → 1939Factory deliveryFrancois Labessefull documentation
Traded his prior Type 57 back to the factory as a deposit toward this chassis; took delivery via the Avenue Montaigne showroom in July 1937. Passed away in early 1939 at age 58, after covering roughly 8,000 km.
- 1939 → 1939Acquisition unknownGaston Docimepartial documentation
Bugatti specialist based in Neuilly sur Seine who had maintained the Labesse collection; held the car in his garage for a brief period after Labesse's estate offered it for sale.
- 1939 →Private saleDr. Tomas Harrispartial documentation
First documented British owner; registered the car in Great Britain in June 1939 under plate FYE 416. Apparently used it solely as a road car with no known competition appearances.
- → 1954Acquisition unknownJack Lemon Burtonpartial documentation
Noted Bugatti enthusiast who acquired the car during the early 1950s; photographed with it at a Bugatti Owners Club event in February 1953.
- 1954 →Private saleRonnie Symondsonfull documentation
Prominent British Bugatti collector who also owned the ex-Embiricos Tourist Trophy 57S; used this car in hillclimbs and touring, and had a new cylinder block and pistons fitted at the Molsheim factory. Later added Koni dampers and a hydraulic braking system.
Competition
- 19361936 French Grand Prixvictory
One of three racing wins cited in a 1937 Bugatti advertisement highlighting the Type 57S model's first year of competition.
- 19361936 La Marne Grand Prixvictory
Listed among the three 1936 competition victories claimed in Bugatti's 1937 Paris Salon advertisement for the Type 57S model.
- 19361936 Commings Grand Prixvictory
Third of three wins cited in Bugatti's 1937 advertisement summarising the Type 57S model's debut racing season.
- 19371937 Pau Grand Prixvictory
One of four victories claimed for the Type 57S model during 1937, as listed in Bugatti's Paris Salon promotional material.
- 19371937 Bone Grand Prixvictory
Listed among four 1937 wins attributed to the Type 57S model in Bugatti advertising.
- 19371937 La Marne Grand Prixvictory
Among the four victories claimed for the Type 57S during 1937 in Bugatti's promotional literature.
- 19371937 Le Mans 24 Hoursvictory
Highlighted as the most prestigious of four 1937 wins for the Type 57S model; associated with a recorded average speed of approximately 85 mph.
- 1954-03-27Bugatti Owners ClubBOC Members Testing Weekend, PrescottDriver: Ronnie Symondsonbest time of 58.6 seconds
Symondson entered chassis 57513 at this club testing event; result was documented in the May 1954 edition of Bugantics.
- 1954-05-09National Hillclimb, PrescottDriver: Ronnie Symondson2nd in Bugatti handicap class
Car recorded a time of 55.84 seconds; result noted in contemporary club records.
- 1954-06-19SilverstoneDriver: Ronnie Symondson
Entry considered probable by Bugatti Register editor David Sewell, though not confirmed with documentary evidence.
- 1954-06-20Shelsley Walsh HillclimbDriver: Ronnie Symondson
Chassis 57513 was among a three-car Bugatti team; a photograph of Symondson at the summit in this car appeared in the August 1954 issue of Bugantics.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1954Engine rebuildBugatti factory, Molsheim
While on a continental touring trip, the engine developed problems and the car was brought to the Bugatti factory at Molsheim, where a replacement cylinder block and new pistons were installed.
The episode was recounted by Symondson in the November 1954 issue of Bugantics.
- —Modification
Mechanical updates carried out during Symondson's ownership included fitting Koni shock absorbers and converting the braking system from the original mechanical setup to hydraulic operation.
Work undertaken sometime after the 1954 continental tour and before the car changed hands in 1962.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.