Bugatti Type 57 Surbaisse 3.3-Litre Four-Seat Sports Grand Routier "Dulcie" 1937, França

 

Bugatti Type 57 Surbaisse 3.3-Litre Four-Seat Sports Grand Routier "Dulcie" 1937, França

Fotografia

This astonishingly original high-performance 3.3-litre twin-cam Bugatti, with British body by the renowned Corsica Coachworks, has been effectively hidden in one concerned and dedicated ownership since 1969.

Most intriguingly its chassis is of the special lightweight type made specifically for the 1936 French Grand Prix-winning and world speed record-breaking works team of only three Bugatti Type 57G 'Tank' streamlined sports-racing cars, of which only one has survived intact. Evidence suggests that one of the longtime missing 57Gs' chassis was then re-used for this 1937 Type 57S.
Owned in turn by Sir Robert Ropner of shipping-line fame and Rodney Clarke - future principal of the pioneering British Connaught Grand Prix team - and latterly by respected engineer/Bugattiste Bill Turnbull, 'Dulcie' - as this fine Type 57S was charmingly nicknamed – is indeed a Bugatti of very special interest...