In its time the 57S was only exciting the true connoisseurs. Its production was stopped in May 1938 for focusing onto the other variants whose commercial success was flourishing. Only 42 57S chassis have been produced. Some owners have transformed their 57S into the supercharged 57SC configuration and the genuine 57S are now very rare.
The 57S is offered in the catalog of the brand with a wide range of bodyworks that are made in Colmar by Gangloff, a subsidiary of Bugatti. The supply of chassis to independent workshops on specific request from a customer or a retailer is also encouraged. A unique 57S/SC bodyworked for the British taste by Vanden Plas was sold for $ 9.7M including premium by Bonhams on March 10, 2016.
As for the cabriolets Bugatti proposes the Aravis model which originally fitted 19 of the 42 57S chassis. The Carrosserie Vanvooren in Courbevoie realizes for its part four cabriolets 57S of which three are surviving today.
A 57S cabriolet assembled in 1937 by Vanvooren has been carefully preserved by its successive owners and is offered today with its original chassis, body, engine and gearbox. It was repainted in the early 1960s with elegant primrose yellow sides that reinforce its resemblance to an Atalante coupe.
An exceptional witness to the mechanical construction of the 57S and to the art of Vanvooren, this cabriolet is estimated $ 8.5M for sale by RM Sotheby's on March 11 at Amelia Island, lot 232.
SOLD for $ 7.7M including premium
Escape the chilly temperatures up North and head South for @rmsothebys 18th annual Amelia Island sale https://t.co/RccFYWPsZb #RMAmelia pic.twitter.com/9u5ezF7fbu
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) February 18, 2017