SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (June 8, 2009) – Gooding & Company, the official auction house for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, is thrilled to announce the sale of an important piece of Bugatti history – the 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Coupe – for its annual Pebble Beach auctions, to be held August 15 – 16, 2009. The Type 57 is the quintessential Bugatti road car and this specific car is considered to be one of the most historically significant examples of its kind.
“This year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will be honoring the Bugatti marque and Gooding & Company is delighted to offer, at no reserve, one of the most spectacular Bugattis ever built,” said David Gooding, founder and president of Gooding & Company. “This special works-maintained car will undoubtedly capture a great deal of attention during the week and will draw connoisseurs worldwide to our auction.”
It is believed that Bugatti factory employees originally assembled this 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Coupe as a gift for Le Patron, Ettore Bugatti. Deemed as one of its most cherished automobiles, the Bugatti factory went to great lengths to protect this precious vehicle during World War II. After Ettore Bugatti’s death in 1947, the car continued to be maintained and stored at the Bugatti workshop in Molsheim, France, where it received factory upgrades as developments progressed. These upgrades included tailored interior accessories, a unique engine and transmission combination and other subtle technical improvements making it the most advanced example of the legendary Type 57. Additionally, the car’s one-off coachwork is believed to be one of the last designs penned by Ettore Bugatti’s son, Jean Bugatti before his death.
Since leaving the Bugatti factory in the late 1950s, Chassis 57335 has had only a few protective caretakers and remains one of the most correct and original Bugattis in existence. The more recent owners of the car have preserved Ettore Bugatti’s intrinsic connection with this automobile. Used only sparingly, the car is remarkably authentic and the interior evokes the presence of the legendary Ettore Bugatti himself. This car possesses many one-off features including the appearance of the famed EB logo engraved on the wheel hubs, in cloisonné on the rear bumper and in enamel on the steering wheel. Every detail on the spectacular automobile reflects the artistry of the Bugatti marque and it possesses a tangible link to some of the most important innovators in automotive history.
The Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction preview days will be from Wednesday, August 12 through Sunday, August 16, 2009. The Saturday and Sunday evening auctions will commence at 6:00PM and are located at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction catalogs are available for $100 and admit two to the viewing and the auction. General admission to the viewing and the auction can be purchased at the tent for $40 per person. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are available at www.goodingco.com.