Behold the Bugatti That Trumps Modern Luxury: The 1939 Type 57C Aravis Cabriolet
The 1930s and 1940s were a golden era for automotive design, marked by the Art Deco movement's strong influence across various sectors, including the automobile industry. This period brought forth vehicles that were more than mere machines; they were moving masterpieces adorned with elegance and exquisite beauty. Among the relics of this golden age, the Bugatti Type 57C Aravis 'Special Cabriolet' stands as a testament to timeless craftsmanship and design.
The Mullin Automotive Museum, renowned for housing one of the wealthiest collections of Art Deco vehicles, was the custodian of this historic gem. The car, particularly tailored for Maurice Trintignant — Bugatti's star driver who raced it in the Grand Prix du Comminges of 1939 — encapsulates an era when cars were a symbol of stature and grandeur. Engineered under Jean Bugatti's visionary direction, the Type 57 marked a significant milestone in automotive innovation with its robust performance blended harmoniously with unparalleled style.
In its heyday, the Bugatti Type 57C, with 'C' denoting its supercharged prowess, epitomized pre-WWII luxury and performance. Boasting a 3.3-liter engine enhanced by a supercharger, it promised an exhilarating 160 hp, ensuring its status among the era's high-performance vehicles. Yet, it wasn't just its engineering marvel that captured hearts but also its aesthetic appeal — a result of Bugatti's collaboration with renowned coachbuilders such as Gangloff, Letourneur et Marchand, and Albert D’Ieteren.
Amid this confluence of art and engineering, the Aravis 'Special Cabriolet' model shone brightly. Its design, named after a picturesque French Alps pass, was rare and mesmerizing, with only a handful crafted, making it an emblem of exclusivity and elegance. This particular chassis, 57768, bore an allure so compelling that Jean Bugatti himself dubbed it 'the most beautiful Type 57,' a sentiment echoed by all who had the privilege of beholding it.
The narrative of this Bugatti is as rich and intricate as its design. From its inception for Maurice Trintignant to its various esteemed owners and an award-winning restoration, each chapter adds to its legendary stature. Sargent Metal Works in Vermont and Leydon Restorations in Pennsylvania painstakingly revived the car to its original grandeur, a restoration that culminated in the car's triumph at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance in 2005.
Now, poised to be auctioned without reserve by Gooding & Company and anticipated to fetch a staggering $3.5 million, this Bugatti Type 57C Aravis 'Special Cabriolet' is not just a car but a piece of automotive history. It's a narrative woven from the threads of innovation, artistry, and passion — an emblem of an era when cars were the canvas and roads their galleries.