Coachwork by Graber Chassis No. 57670 Engine No. 490 Bugatti’s Type 57 may be the greatest Bugatti of all. Powered by a classic eight-cylinder dual overhead camshaft engine of 3.3 liters making 135 horsepower with the artful design, fabrication, machining, assembly and finishing that was Bugatti’s hallmark, the Type 57 was in production from 1934 until World War II’s hostilities overran Molsheim. While the chassis was classic Bugatti with solid axles and quarterelliptical rear springs, it employed innovative features like a shockabsorbing front spring shackle to reduce steering kickback. During the Type 57’s production numerous innovations were incorporated including hydraulically-actuated Lockheed drum brakes with dual master cylinders finally replacing le Patron’s beloved mechanical brakes and the use of telescopic shock absorbers in place of lever shocks. The 4-speed gearbox, with constant mesh gears in second through fourth, was mounted in unit with the engine and was driven through a single plate clutch. Many, if not all, of these evolutionary changes came about under the leadership of Ettore Bugatti’s son Jean, in charge of the works at Molsheim and increasingly trying to move Bugatti’s automobiles into the forefront of modern design. Although frustrated by his father’s insistence on some traditional Bugatti features, particularly rejecting Jean’s design for independent front suspension, the Type 57 was a major step for Bugatti and the mainstay of its production in the Thirties, with some 685 built during its roughly five years’ production. The inherent quality and performance of the standard Type 57 was demonstrated by the myriad high performance variants developed from it including the supercharged Type 57C, the sports cars built on the short chassis Type 57S and supercharged Type 57SC and the Type 59 Grand Prix. The Bugatti Type 57’s greatest strength, however, was as the quintessential French grand routier, a long-legged, reliable and comfortable automobile capable of relaxed cruising at high speeds on the increasing number of high speed highways being built and improved in the Thirties. It was more than a match for its six-cylinder competitors from Delahaye, Delage, Alfa Romeo and Rolls-Royce and the 165 horsepower supercharged Type 57C would take the measure even of the ponderous monsters from Mercedes-Benz. It was without doubt “une voiture de pur-sang.” The adaptability and practicality of the Bugatti Type 57 is demonstrated not only by its many and successful sporting variants but also by the wide variety of coachwork which its owners specified. Built not only in coupés and drophead coupés, both dramatic and elegant, but also in large numbers as two- and four-door sedans to designs by Jean Bugatti and some of the finest coachbuilders of the day, the Bugatti Type 57 was one of the most adaptable automobiles of its day. Graber of Wichtrach near Berne, Switzerland was one of the bestknown coachbuilders of its day, and particularly renowned for the quality and style of its work on Bugatti chassis. Hermann Graber’s designs were not flashy, but were well-proportioned and built to the highest possible standards. It is not surprising that they appealed to Bugatti clients. The Type 57 offered here was invoiced on May 27, 1938 in chassis form to Baumberger & Forster of Zurich, Bugatti’s agent there and then sent to Graber for construction of the elegant and practical four-door coachwork which it still bears. The first owner was apparently a Mr. Meyer-Müller of Zurich. Delivered in 1938, it incorporates the refinements developed during the Type 57’s early years including hydraulic brakes. It was acquired by the legendary Harrah Collection July 14, 1973 from William Berk of Los Angeles who it is believed had acquired it some time earlier from Jim de Bickero of Chicago. It was sold at one of the Harrah disposition auctions on September 27, 1986 to renowned collector Gen. William Lyon, eventually passing through the hands of Herbert Kuppin of Cincinnati, Charles Le Maitre and Richard King before becoming the proud possession of its current American gentleman owner. According to the Bugatti records it was delivered with its present engine, No. 490. Remarkably well preserved, its Graber four-door coachwork is both stylish and sporting, entirely appropriate to the high performance Type 57 chassis and drivetrain. The doors are centerhinged and open wide for easy and graceful entry and exit. Finished in light blue with a luxurious and comfortable grey cloth interior, it would appear never to have received, or needed, a restoration but rather to have benefited from continuous and careful maintenance and attention from a succession of caring and fastidious owners with mechanical and cosmetic attention and refurbishing as needed. A renowned high speed sports sedan on the classic Bugatti Type 57 chassis, this Graber four-door sedan is an excellent example of the type, ideally suited to tours and events. Its excellent handling, smooth and powerful engine, superb construction, fastidious Bugatti design and details, stylish yet commodious coachwork and highly original condition will make it a valued addition to any collection and a welcome participant in the most enjoyable and important events. $160,000 – 190,000