Bugatti Type 57 – The Last of the French Bugattis
A Veloce classic, reprinted after several years absence!
By Barrie Price
25×20.7cm • 240 pages Over 300 B&W photos
ISBN: 978-1-845848-71-2
£ 45 UK, $75.00 USA
Veloce Publishing, October 2015
Telephone – +44 (0)1305 260068
Facsimile – +44 (0)1305 250479
E-mail – info@veloce.co.uk
Review by Pete Vack
All B&W photos from the book
Last week we reviewed Barrie Price’s book, The Big Bugattis, Type 46 & 50, newly re-published by Veloce Publishing in the UK (no relation).
Like the T46 & 50, this is a must have, and even better, as it focuses on one make and has significantly more pages and more photos. Plus, the T57 is generally regarded as the ultimate example of the line, and so it is well worth an in-depth look at the model.
Jonathan Sharp’s photo of the T 57 chassis at the National Museum at Mulhouse.
VeloceToday reader Michel van Peel wondered why the publisher is printing further editions of the Barrie Price books, since there were so many copies of his books on the used market. The publisher infers that these are updated editions but not have the original to compare to we can’t comment on that, nor is the publisher’s note in the front of the book much help in determining if the book is actually updated. At $75 new from Veloce Publishing, the older new or used books could be found from $32 on up on Amazon, but overall prices vary between $60 and $100. So it’s a good question, but I would guess that as printing books today is still very expensive, the staff at Veloce Publishing has done the math and figured the price and timing was right.
Certainly the new edition is sharp, with all those old photos which are now invaluable made a clear as possible using modern digital techniques. Almost every image is in excellent focus with nice contrast. Again, we don’t have the original to compare with, but what we have are excellent, which is a good thing, as like the T46 & 60 volume, this is a photo book.
With the T57, Price had enough material (300 photos) to sort by Bugatti coachwork and “other Bugatti coachbuilders”. This allowed him to clarify and illustrate the sometimes confusing T57 styles which are all named after Alpine passes: Galibier,Ventoux, Stelvio, and the rare Aravis, which is a pass in the French Alps that connects the towns of La Clusaz in Haute-Savoie with La Giettaz in Savoie. Only three were built and rarely remembered when the Alpine pass Bugattis are discussed. However, VeloceToday correspondent Graham Gauld fills in the gaps with his drive of the Lord of Moray’s T57 Aravis by Gangloff for VeloceToday. (Read article)
Bugattis of the Mountain Passes: Galibier
Most Galibiers were conservative sedans but this four-door lapped Montlhéry at 115 mph.
Stelvio
The Stelvios were dropheads, or convertibles. This is SN 57411, owned by the author of the book.
Ventoux
The Ventoux with its dramatic sloping windshield.
Aravis
Reportedly only three T57s were bodied as an Aravis. This is a T57SC supercharged chassis owned by Lord Doune and once driven by Graham Gauld.
Other Coachbuilders
Having dispatched the ‘pass cars’ Price goes on to list and illustrate products of the coachbuilders who apparently constructed factory approved bodies and include; Bertelli, Corsica, Gangloff (Bugatti factory favorite),Graber, LeTourneur and Marchand, Van Vooren and Saoutchik, James Young.
But wait, there is more, a long list of other coachbuilders who clothed the T57 and its variants. We are not sure why the distinction is made between the first group and the second. Whatever, Price takes us on a fascinating journey through pre-war coachbuilders from all over Europe and a great many from the UK.
Pice also presents the story of the Altantic, giving four chassis numbers:
57453 Prototype which appeared at the 1936 London Auto Show
57374 Rotshchild car
57473 Mrs. Grover Williams’ car
57591 Last car built and went to Pope per factory records
We shall let the Bugattisti further contemplate the inherent nuances while we move on.
Out of the realm of Alpine passes, the Atalante was the next series. This is chassis 57660.
A four door would be a Galibier if bodied by the factory or Gangloff. This handsome sedan however is by Graber and so just a T57 with a Graber body. But very nice in any event.
Likewise, this is bodied by Figoni et Falaschi for Lady Cholmondeley in 1939.
The T57 is mechanically more straightforward than the T46; a single plate clutch at the rear of the 3.3 liter straight eight DOHC engine driving a four speed transmission to a normal differential via a driveshaft. There are more illustrations of the engine, chassis and suspension along with at least 12 factory drawings and much more satisfactory in this regard than the T 46 & 50 book.
Not a 101 but a T 57 chassis 57756 converted after the war to a rather attractive convertible.
Price covers the T59 Grand Prix car and the T57 Bugatti Le Mans cars that were much more successful than the beautiful but outclassed T59. There is also a factory listing of all the serial numbers, but without a great deal of additional information accompanying each chassis. Still it’s a factory list and far better than nothing.
Varzi, Bugatti with the T59 at Molsheim.
We were interested in finding out how many other books are available – old or new – on the T57. We used Amazon to search so there are no doubt books on the model that are not listed. However, Amazon turned up six books and one booklet; at over $400, three were out of the realm of most enthusiasts, leaving three actual books on the subject of the most important Bugatti type ever built, and none particularly impressive in scope or size.
All of which makes the Price T57 book all that more desirable.
Specs Courtesy Bugatti Trust
Bugatti Type 57 57C3.3-litre
Identifying Features:
Small ledges on radiator; front shutters, 18in wheels
Years Made
(approx): T57: 1934-40; T57C: 1937-40
Number Made:
630
Engine:
No of cylinders: 8
Bore x stroke: 72 x 100mm
Capacity: 3257cc
BHP (approx): T57: 135; T57C: 160
RPM Limit (prudent): 5000
Camshafts: dohc
Valves (per cylinder): 2
Camshaft drive: Rear, spur train, helical
Crankshaft bearings: 6 plain, plain rods
Supercharger (Roots): 57C only
Carburettor: Stromberg UUR2
Ignition: Coil
Plugs per cylinder: 1
Firing Order: 1, 6, 2, 5, 8, 3, 7, 4
Clutch:
Type: Dry, single-plate; double reduction lever (1939)
Gearbox:
Location: Integral with engine, 4-speed and reverse
Gear change lever: Central, top back
Rear Axle:
Normal Ratio: Early 12/50 = 4.16
Later 11/46 = 4.18
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 130in (3.3m)
Track: 53.1in (1.35m)
Chassis Weight (approx): 2100lb (950kg)
Brakes:
Location and Type: 4-wheel, 1934-7 cable operated: 1938-40 hydraulic
Brake drum diameter: 350mm
Wheels:
Type: Rudge wire
Tyre size: Original and modern fitment: 18 x 5.50
Crossbreeding with Other Types:
Engine basically as used on T59 GP cars. T57S and T57SC are direct derivatives
Just love all the Bugatti`s especially type 57 & 57sc and type 35