Description
The Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupé is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and iconic cars ever created. Designed by Jean Bugatti, the son of founder Ettore Bugatti, the Atlantic was a radical departure from conventional automotive styling of the 1930s. With its teardrop-shaped body, sweeping fenders, and distinctive dorsal seam running from front to rear, the car represents a perfect blend of engineering excellence and avant-garde design.
The “SC” in the name stands for Surbaissé (lowered) and Compressor (supercharged), referring to the lowered chassis and the addition of a supercharger to the 3.3-liter inline-8 engine. This configuration delivered approximately 200 horsepower, allowing the Atlantic to reach speeds of up to 125 mph—an extraordinary performance figure for its time. The Type 57 SC was not only elegant but also built for speed and handling, maintaining Bugatti’s reputation for engineering excellence.
Only four Atlantic coupés were ever built between 1936 and 1938. Of those, only two are confirmed to survive in completely original form. One is famously owned by fashion designer Ralph Lauren and is finished in a deep black. Another, known as the “Pope Atlantic,” was sold in a private deal estimated to be between $30 and $40 million. A third Atlantic, restored to concours condition, resides in the Mullin Automotive Museum in California. The fourth, chassis number 57453—believed to have been Jean Bugatti’s personal car—vanished during World War II and remains one of the greatest mysteries in automotive history.
The Atlantic’s body was originally planned to be made of a lightweight magnesium alloy called Electron, which could not be welded at the time. As a solution, Jean Bugatti used rivets to join the body panels, resulting in the iconic seam that gives the car its signature dorsal fin. While production models eventually used aluminum instead of magnesium, the riveted seam was retained as a stylistic element.
Beyond its technical and historical significance, the Atlantic is considered a masterpiece of Art Deco design. It has been displayed in world-class museums and art exhibitions, with many considering it more of a sculpture than a car. In concours competitions and collector circles, it consistently ranks among the most valuable and desirable automobiles ever built.
The Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupé is not just a rare classic; it is an enduring symbol of automotive artistry and innovation, a car that continues to capture imaginations nearly a century after it was built.