1936 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante
The 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante stands as a remarkable example of automotive engineering and design from the mid-1930s. This model is part of the celebrated Type 57 series, which was introduced by Bugatti in 1934.
Its graceful curves and flowing lines showcased Jean Bugatti’s innate talent for automotive aesthetics. The car’s distinctive profile featured a long, sloping hood that housed its potent engine, complemented by artfully sculpted fenders and a rakish roofline.
One of the notable aspects of the Atalante is its rarity and exclusivity. In 1935 and 1936, Bugatti produced only a limited number of these vehicles. Specifically, in 1935, ten units were built, including seven with sunroofs.
In 1936, production saw just eight units, with three featuring sunroofs. The particular model, chassis 57432, holds the distinction of being the final Atalante built in 1936 and the last to include a sunroof.
Beneath the Atalante’s svelte bodywork was a 3,245cc DOHC inline 8-cylinder engine, a powerplant that shared its fundamental design with Bugatti’s formidable Type 59 Grand Prix racers.
This engine, fed by a single twin-choke Stromberg UUR carburetor, produced an impressive 135 horsepower at 5000 rpm. Such output was remarkable for its time, endowing the Atalante with exhilarating performance capabilities.
Inside, the Atalante offers a luxurious yet functional cabin. As a two-seater coupe (with occasional rear seating), it offered an intimate driving experience. The cabin was adorned with the finest materials available, including supple leathers and polished wood trim.
The dashboard, an artwork in itself, housed an array of gauges and controls that provided the driver with essential information while maintaining an aesthetic coherence with the overall design.
Power from the engine was transmitted to the wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission, allowing drivers to extract maximum performance from the thoroughbred powerplant. The Bugatti’s chassis featured a front solid axle and rear live axle suspension system, employing semi-elliptic springs.
This configuration, while rooted in traditional engineering principles, was finely tuned to deliver a balance of handling prowess and ride comfort befitting a grand tourer of its caliber.
In the competitive landscape of 1930s luxury automobiles, the Bugatti Type 57 Atalante faced stiff competition from other prestigious marques. Rivals included the likes of Alfa Romeo’s 8C 2900, Delahaye’s Type 135, and Mercedes-Benz’s 540K. However, the Atalante distinguished itself through its combination of performance, style, and exclusivity.
The Type 57 Atalante’s legacy extends beyond its immediate impact. It represented the culmination of Bugatti’s pre-war design philosophy and served as a swan song for the company’s all-French creations.
The outbreak of World War II and the untimely death of Jean Bugatti in 1939 marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in automotive history.
Credit: Bonhams|Cars
