1935 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux

The Type 57 in its various forms was the mainstay of Bugatti’s production car output from 1934 until the outbreak of the war. As such it was the last road-going Bugatti and, many would say, the best. Much of the design was the work of Jean Bugatti and it shows what a great talent was lost when he was killed while testing a 57G racing car in 1939.

It also shows that, in Jean, Ettore Bugatti had a worthy successor. That was not to happen and Jean’s death also killed the automotive side of the company. On the other hand, few men leave behind a memorial as excellent as the immortal Type 57.

Its twin overhead camshaft straight-eight engine derived from Bugatti’s competition engines and, while new to this model, was so good that is was used in the Type 59, Ettore Bugatti’s last successful Grand Prix car. Producing 135 bhp, it drove through Bugatti’s delightful four-speed non-synchromesh gearbox, which is one of the main reasons for wanting to own a...