Description
This beautiful and very correct Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio is a matching numbers car with interesting provenance.
The Bugatti Type 57C was a development of the Type 57 introduced in 1934. The Type 57C was produced from 1937 to 1940 only and most notably utilised a Roots compressor. The compressor helped to raise the power by 25HP, giving the Type 57C a healthy output of 160HP. This in turn helped to propel the Bugatti to a top speed of 178km/ h. No mean feat in 1938 and in the day, most people would only see the Type 57C pass at a glance or quite simply, just see the rear end of the car speeding away.
First ordered as a demo car by the Bugatti dealer in Marseille, Mr. Gaston Descollas, on the 21st of April 1938. The car was delivered to Mr. Descollas from the Bugatti Works in September 1938, having had its Stelvio coachwork finished by Gangloff only a few weeks prior to final delivery.
Mr. Descollas only had the pleasure of Ch. 57716 untill October that same year, when it was first sold. From 1938 to 1946 a further three owners followed. In April 1946 Bugatti Type 57C Ch. 57716 was registered in Madrid.
The history of Ch. 57716 in the 1950s is not known but in 1964 it was purchased in the South of France and relocated to Denmark where it was exhibited at Aalholm Castle in Denmark.
By then, the Bugatti had been rebuild and presented itself in a specification slightly different to the original appearing in red and black.
In 2012 Bugatti Ch. 57716 was sold at an auction held on the Aalholm Estate by RM Auctions and via various owners around Europe, eventually found its way back to Denmark in 2014 with the current owner, an avid collector of Bugattis.
At this point, it was decided to do a no expense spared restoration to concours condition to bring the Type 57C Stelvio back to its former grandeur.
What followed was an exhaustive restoration carried out over several years in the in-house workshop housed together with the Bugatti collection. No stone was left untouched in the search for originality and the entire crew of the workshop were involved in completing this task. A photographic documentation of the restoration naturally follows the Bugatti.
The Bugatti Type 57C is now part of the high profile collection with focus on French and Italian pre-war sports cars. The collection boasts an impressive in-house workshop with facilities ranging from specialist mechanics, panel beating workshop, foundry and a wood workshop. In fact the only facility not catered for, is upholstery, everything else is done in-house and to the highest standard.
The fact that Bugatti friends from around the world send their priced possessions to be worked on in the workshop, is a testament to the dedication and high quality of workmanship.
Today, the Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio presents itself in concours condition. It is ready to show at any concours level show, or be enjoyed at speed on the road as envisioned by Ettore Bugatti.
The Bugatti will certainly not disappoint in any respect and has been build and prepared to be enjoyed on the road. It is a turn key example which will bring great enjoyment, both visually and on the road.
The Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio is registered for the road with current Danish (EU) registration document.
Please get in touch for further information, specifications and a detailed document outlining the entire history of Ch. 57716 and more generally, the development of the Bugatti Type 57.
It is highly recommended to see and feel the Bugatti at speed first hand. This can naturally be organised in combination with a visit to see the entire collection and in-house restoration facility.
