Bugatti Type 57 chassis 57164 was completed in May 1934, one of the first one hundred of its type built. Its coachwork – which today would be generically described as a Stelvio Cabriolet – was entered on Bugatti’s books as a Double Cabriolet built by Gangloff of Colmar. Completed on August 14, 1934, it was built to the order of Bugatti dealer Descollas for its client Marcel Bertrand of Toulon, France to whom it was delivered on August 18, 1934.

Some prior owner history contends that it may have been shown on the Bugatti stand at the 1935 Paris show held in late 1934. Its delivery history does not support that contention.

In April 1936 it was purchased by a Monsieur Renaud of Marseille, France. French registration records have it next being re-registered in November 1954, indicating it may have remained in Renaud’s ownership through the war. In 1958 it began to pass through the hands of several dealers until it was bought by Lyman Greenlee in Anderson, Indiana in 1960 through Bugatti dealer Jean De Dobbeleer, still on its 1954 French registration number.

It came into the current family ownership only two years later and has been in their caring, sympathetic stewardship since then, a remarkable single family ownership provenance enduring for nearly a half century.

Its colors (Ivory with a Maroon accent and wire wheels), patina and overall presentation indicate that in the Fifties it got the cosmetic attention to paint and upholstery that a twenty year old Bugatti rated and that hasn’t been touched since. The faded Beige cloth top may have been replaced at some point; it survives today as an example of sensitive textile conservation.

The coachwork by Gangloff of Colmar is highly unusual and does not fit many of the characteristics of the rather loose definition of the Stelvio Cabriolet designed by Jean Bugatti and interpreted by Gangloff.

Many aspects reflect Bugatti practice including the steeply raked windshield, chrome radiator surround with chromed vertical shutters and teardrop fenders.

Others, however are highly unusual.
• Flat section fenders with centered splines
• Teardrop front fenders with defined separation from the narrow, subtle running boards
• Rear-hinged doors
• Rear wheel spats with teardrop accents echoed three times in the front fenders and twice in the rear
• Separately constructed bustle-style trunk
• Five window, four-seat coachwork
• Rear-mounted single spare wheel and tire
• The sweep panel which characterizes Jean Bugatti coachwork is worked subtly into the main body lines
• A top mechanism which appears to fold into a compact package almost flat with the coachwork.
•
It expresses a distinctively different visual identity and coachwork balance from the more representative Gangloff-bodied Stelvio Cabriolets, making it an important example for its configuration in addition to its exceptional original condition, reflecting its long term single family ownership.

The earliest series rigid engine mount, mechanical brake Type 57s with engines cast without provision for the supercharger drive are the foundation of the Bugatti Type 57 reputation. This very early Gangloff Double Cabriolet, s/n 57164, is not only emblematic of the very earliest series as conceived and created by Jean Bugatti but also a particularly sympathetically preserved, intact, rare example of a largely unrestored Bugatti Type 57.