The Atlantic was build in a limited edition of three cars:
The original Atlantic was built in 1953 on a regular Type 57 chassis giving it taller proportions when compared to the other Atlantics. It is the only Atlantic to have a body made entirely of magnesium. As electron was the commercial name for magnesium, the car was often called the Aerolithe Electron Coupe. The complete history the Aerolithe Coupe is unknown, but it may have been hit by a train. Chassis #57374 is the second Atlantic in a series of three and has a body of aluminum. It was built in 1936 and supposedly uses parts from the Aerolithe. The first owner of #57374, Lord Victor Rothschild of London, ordered the car in light blue with dark blue interior. The car was originally a Type 57S, but Lord Victor send the car back to Bugatti in 1939 to receive a supercharger. Bob Oliver of Los Angeles was the second owner of #57374 and modified it in drastic ways. Bob resized the rear windows and painted the car several different colors including red. The final owner, Peter D. Williamson of Lyme, New Hampshire, has respectfully restored the car to its 1936 specification. He debuted it at the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours and won best in show. The final Atlantic is the most published of the three: chassis #57591. Ralph Lauren, who owns a large global brand, has owned this car since 1988. With a strong inclination towards important and authentic cars, Ralph includes #57591 as a highlight in his collection which has Type 57SC Gangloff Cabriolet #57563.
History of #57591 is uncertain, but a few journalists have labeled it the Lord Victor Rothschild car. With the recently surfaced news of #57374, Ralph's car is not the light blue car painted to match some ring, but it does make a nice story.
Being sensitive to authenticity, Ralph commissioned Paul Russel to comprehensively restore #57591 using as many original parts as possible. During the restoration, Paul and his team discovered details such as original tan goatskin upholstery and seats filled with horsehair bags wrapped in muslin. After the project was complete it was shown at the 2000 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance where it won best of show. Like many of Ralph's Bugattis the car is finished in black. It is possible Ralph's car was originally French Racing Blue.
Text by Supercars.net
Specifications
Year: 1937
Make: Bugatti
Model: Type 57SC Atlantic
Position: Front Longitudinal
Configuration: Inline-8 w/Cast Iron Block, Dry Sump Lubrication
Valvetrain: 2 Valves per Cyl, DOHC
Displacement: 3257 cc / 198.8 cu in
Power: 156.6 kw / 210 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Bore: 72 mm / 2.83 in
Stroke: 100 mm / 3.94 in
Redline: 5500
HP / Liter: 64.48 bhp per litre
HP / Curb: Weight 220.36 bhp per weight
Gear Type: 4-Speed Manual
Top Speed: 177.0 kph / 110.0 mph
0 - 60 mph: 10 seconds
Reply With Quote