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[[Bugatti Type 57 chassis numbers 57101 at 57500]]

[[Bugatti Type 57 chassis numbers 57501 at 57841]]

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The '''Bugatti Type 57''' and later variants (including the famous '''Atlantic''') was an entirely new design by [[Jean Bugatti]], son of founder [[Ettore Bugatti|Ettore]].  Type 57s were built from 1934 through 1940, with a total of 710 examples produced.

Most Type 57s used a [[dual overhead cam|twin-cam]] 3257&nbsp;cc engine based on that of the [[Bugatti Type 49|Type 49]] but heavily modified by Jean Bugatti.  Unlike the chain-drive twin-cam engines of the [[Bugatti Type 50|Type 50 and 51]], the 57's engine used gears to transmit power from the crankshaft.

There were two basic variants of the Type 57 car:
* [[#Type 57|The original Type 57]]
* [[#Type 57S|The lowered Type 57S]]

The Type 57 chassis and engine was revived in 1951 as the [[Bugatti Type 101]] for a short production.

==Type 57G==<!-- This section is linked from [[Bugatti]] -->

The famous '''Type 57G''' tank-bodied racers used the [[#Type 57S Tank|57S]] chassis in 1936 and 1937 and the [[#Type 57C Tank|57C]] for 1939.

==Type 57==

The original '''Type 57''' was a touring car model produced from 1934 through 1940.  It used the 3.3&nbsp;L (3257&nbsp;cc/198&nbsp;in³) engine from the [[Bugatti Type 59|Type 59]] [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix]] cars, producing 135&nbsp;hp (100&nbsp;kW).  Top speed was 95&nbsp;mph (153&nbsp;km/h).

It rode on a 130&nbsp;in (3300&nbsp;mm) wheelbase and had a 53.1&nbsp;in (1350&nbsp;mm) wide track.  Road-going versions weighed about 2100&nbsp;lb (950&nbsp;kg).  Hydraulic brakes replaced the cable-operated units in 1938.  630 examples were produced.

The original road-going Type 57 included a smaller version of the [[Bugatti Royale|Royale]]'s square-bottom horseshoe grille.  The sides of the engine compartment were covered with thermostatically-controlled shutters.  It was a tall car, contrary to the tastes of the time.

Dimensions:
* Wheelbase: 130&nbsp;in (3300&nbsp;mm)
* Track: 53.1&nbsp;in (1349&nbsp;mm)
* Weight: 2100&nbsp;lb (950&nbsp;kg)

===Type 57T===

The "tuned" '''Type 57T''' pushed the performance of the basic Type 57.  It was capable of reaching 115&nbsp;mph (185&nbsp;km/h).

===Type 57C===

A '''Type 57C''' racing car was built from 1937 through 1940, with nearly 750 possibly produced.  It shared the 3.3&nbsp;L engine from the road-going Type 57 but produced 160&nbsp;hp (119&nbsp;kW) with a Roots-type [[supercharger]] fitted.

===Type 57C Tank===

The famous 57C-based '''Tank''' won the 1936 [[French Grand Prix]], as well as the 1937 [[24 Hours of Le Mans]].  It used a different 4.7&nbsp;L (4743&nbsp;cc/289&nbsp;in³) engine.

==Type 57S==
The '''Type 57S/SC''' is one of the best-known Bugatti cars.  The "S" stood for "surbaissé" ("lowered"), though most felt it stood for "sport".  It included a v-shaped dip at the bottom of the radiator and mesh grilles on either side of the engine compartment.

Lowering the car was a major undertaking.  The rear axle now passed through the rear frame rather than riding under it, and a [[dry-sump]] lubrication system was required to fit the engine under the new low hood.  The 57S had a nearly-[[independent suspension]] in front, though Ettore despised that notion.

Just 40 "surbaissé" cars were built.

Dimensions:
* Wheelbase: 117.3&nbsp;in (2979&nbsp;mm)
* Track: 53.1&nbsp;in (1349&nbsp;mm)
* Weight: 2100&nbsp;lb (950&nbsp;kg)

===Type 57SC===<!-- This section is linked from [[Bugatti]] -->
  
Just two [[supercharged]] '''Type 57SC''' cars were built new, but most 57S owners wanted the additional power afforded by the blower.  Therefore, most of the original Type 57S cars returned to Molsheim for the installation of a supercharger, pushing output from 175 hp (130 kW) to 200 hp (150 kW) and 120&nbsp;mph.

===Atlantic===

Considered by many to be the most beautiful pre-war car, the '''Atlantic''' body Type 57S featured flowing coupe lines with a pronounced dorsal seam running front to back.  It was based on the "Aérolithe" [[concept car]] of 1935.  Like the Type 59 Grand Prix car, the Aérolithe used Elektron ([[magnesium]]) or Duralumin ([[aluminium]]) for its body panels, a combustible material.  Therefore, the body panels were riveted externally, creating the signature seam.

The production Atlantics (just three were made) used plain aluminium, however.  But the dorsal seams were retained for style, and have led to the car's present fame. 

Dr. Peter Williamson won the 2003 Pebble Beach Car show with an SC57 Atlantic. Another is owned by Ralph Lauren. The final Atlantic has been lost to time.

===Type 57S45===

A special '''Type 57 S45''' used a 4743&nbsp;cc engine like the Tank.

===Type 57S Tank===<!-- This section is linked from [[Bugatti]] -->

Another '''Tank''', this time based on the "surbaissé" Type 57S, won [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]] again in 1939.  Shortly afterwards, [[Jean Bugatti]] took the winning car for a test on the [[Molsheim]]-[[Strasbourg]] road.  Swerving to avoid a bicyclist on the closed road, Bugatti crashed the car and died at age 30.

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External links:

http://autoscollection.fr-bb.com/les-marques-c1/BUGATTI-f11/bugatti-57-t54.htm