1938 Bugatti Type 57SC, Vanden Plas Tourer 1 of 1 built

Type 57S was a more sporting version of the Bugatti Type 57 launched In August of 1936. the ‘S” did not represent “sport,” but signified “surbaisse” which is the French word for lower. The rear axle was mounted through the frame, and it was the first production Bugatti with underslung chassis configuration.

Axles were mounted above the center line of the chassis resulting in sportier handling by lowering the car’s center of gravity. The Type 57S also had a shorter wheelbase than the original Type 57. When a supercharger (referred to as a compressor in Europe) was added, the Type 57S was designated the Type 57SC.
The traditionally flat radiator shell is “vee-shaped” and sits much lower in the chassis.

This Type 57SC was created by Vanden Plas of London and is the only Tourer they built on a Type 57SC chassis. Carrosserie Van Den Plas was formed in Brussels, Belgium as a carriage builder; Vanden Plas Ltd. was formed in England in 1913 as an offshoot of Van Den Plas.

Engine
8 cylinder, n-line, DOHC
2.83” bore, 3.93” stroke
198 cubIc inch
170 hp. @ 3200 rpm.

Price when new: N/A

Body/Coachbuilder
Vanden Plas (England) Ltd.
London, England

Manufacturer
Automobiles E. Bugatti
Molsheim, France



March 15, 2010, 12:53 pm