A beautiful early example of Jean Bugatti’s masterfully engineered touring model, this unique Type 57 is numerically just the 56th example built and among the first 30 cars invoiced. The chassis was clothed with Bugatti’s 4-door pillarless saloon Galibier coachwork and was delivered through Parisian agents Bucar to the Belgian rally driver Ginet Trasenster on behalf of its first owner, a Belgian mill owner and sportsman named Frederic Deflandre. As a loyal Bugatti client, Mr. Deflandre had already owned a Type 38, a Type 38A and a Type 43.
In 1936, Mr. Deflandre returned the Bugatti to the factory for upgrades, and the body was transferred to a new, updated second-series chassis (equipped with engine number 280), which was restamped with the original component numbers 57156/48. The Galibier remained in Mr. Deflandre’s possession until April 1938, at which point he traded the car to the Belgian coachbuilder D’Ieteren toward fresh coachwork for yet another Bugatti Type 57.
Subsequently exported to the United States in 1955 by Gene Cesari for Porsche dealer Jack Fritsche, the Bugatti next passed to Al Wall, and then in 1958 to Silver Spring, MD, resident Joseph Fine, a physicist employed at the National Bureau of Standards. The cabriolet was then sold by his widow to the respected collector Charles Bronson, who in turn sold the car to the well-known Southern California-based collector Paul Emple.
Mr. Emple commissioned a comprehensive restoration by esteemed marque specialist Alan Taylor in Escondido, CA, which addressed every mechanical and cosmetic concern. As the extended period of storage had resulted in some degree of dilapidation, the refurbishment included a skilled fabrication of new fenders, door skins, dashboard trim, and hood with elegantly shaped and plated engine vents. New styling details including bold brightwork character lines on the sides, skirted rear fenders and a raised spine on the rear decklid complete the bodywork.
This dramatically restyled coachwork was finished in a beautiful shade of orange-brown, while the interior was retrimmed in matching leather and fitted with complementary leather luggage, including a charming champagne-bottle holder. These ornate period-consistent details lend the luxurious cabriolet a remarkable panache, even among coachbuilt Type 57 examples.
Mr. Emple then proudly exhibited the Bugatti at several major shows to warm accolades, winning the Meguiar’s Award at the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Best in Show Pre-War at the 2013 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, People’s Choice Award at the 2014 Keels & Wheels, and Best in Class and the Director’s Award at the 2015 Santa Fe Concorso. Furthermore, the car was awarded a First Prize in Classic Car Club of America National judging.
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
