1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica
- Engine
- 3.3L dual-overhead-cam inline-eight, Roots-type supercharger, ~200 bhp
Bugatti Type 57S chassis 57512 is a rare open four-seat tourer bodied by London coachbuilder Corsica Coachworks, one of only eight Corsica-bodied 57S examples and one of just sixteen open-bodied 57S cars produced in total. Delivered in March 1937 via the London Bugatti agency to Maurice Fox-Pitt Lubbock, a personal acquaintance of Jean Bugatti, the car features the distinctive lowered 57S chassis with dry-sump engine and V-shaped radiator grille, and was registered in London as DXP 970. Lubbock retained the car for approximately a decade before selling upon his election as president of Rolls-Royce.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$6,000,000 – US$7,500,000
- —Auction saleSold US$4,735,000
- 1937-03-01 →Factory deliveryMaurice Fox-Pitt Lubbockfull documentation
Registered the car in London with plate DXP 970 and joined the Bugatti Owners Club the same month. Sold the car roughly a decade after taking delivery, reportedly upon becoming president of Rolls-Royce.
Competition
- 19361936 French Grand Prix1st
One of three competition victories claimed by the Type 57S in its first year of racing activity.
- 19361936 La Marne Grand Prix1st
Among the trio of victories recorded during the 57S's inaugural racing season.
- 19361936 Commings Grand Prix1st
Third of three victories attributed to the Type 57S in 1936, as cited in Bugatti's 1937 Paris Salon advertising.
- 19371937 Le Mans 24 Hours1st overall
Won by the aerodynamic Type 57G Tank variant; recorded an average speed of approximately 85 mph over the race distance.
- 19371937 Pau Grand Prix1st
One of several victories recorded by the Type 57S during its second season of competition.
- 19371937 Bone Grand Prix1st
Part of the 57S's successful run of victories in the 1937 season.
- 19371937 La Marne Grand Prix1st
Second consecutive Marne victory for the Type 57S, contributing to a record-setting season across fourteen event categories.
- 19391939 Le Mans 24 Hours1st overall
Overall victory achieved by a second Tank variant, repeating the 1937 Le Mans triumph for Bugatti.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1937BodyworkCorsica Coachworks
Open four-seat tourer coachwork constructed and fitted to the bare chassis by Corsica Coachworks, with extended front and rear fenders concealing the oil tank and integrating the spare wheel mount into the driver-side wing.
Chassis was delivered to the Bugatti agency in London on 8 March 1937 before being taken to Corsica for body fitment.
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