Rare 1935 Bugatti Type 57 ‘Grand Raid’ Tourer up for auction

A fully restored original example of the 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Grand Raid Tourer is coming up for sale in Tennants Auctioneers’ Vintage Motor Vehicle sale on 13th May, with an estimate of £700,000-1,000,000 (plus 10% buyer’s premium + VAT). 

The Bugatti Type 57 was an entirely new design created by Jean Bugatti, son of founder Ettore Bugatti; 739 Type 57s in various models were built between 1934 and 1939. The present car is one of only ten ‘Grand Raid’ Type 57 Tourers produced – a lower and sleeker ‘semi’ sport model, which was first unveiled at the Grand Palais in Paris, September 1934. Four ‘Grand Raid’ chassis’ were delivered to Bugatti’s London Depot on Brixton Road, including the present example; according to Bugatti factory records, it was ordered by Col Sorel for stock and invoiced on 11th July 1935.

The vehicle was then fitted with a four-seater body built by Corsica Coach Builders of Cricklewood, London – a firm who built bespoke bodies for Bentley, Delage, Invicta , Mercedes-Benz and Bugatti chassis.

The early history of the car remains unclear, as it was first registered (or re-registered) with the Department of Transport on 1st April 1944, nearly ten years after it had been built. However, with the growing interest in the Bugatti Marque in the 1950s, post-war owners of the car have been recorded, and it has only had two owners since 1978.

This very rare model is practical and useable, and has had both engine and coachwork restored by leading specialists Ivan Dutton Ltd and I. Wilkinson & Son Ltd of Derby.

A full report on the vehicle, compiled by Mark Morris an independent Bugatti specialist, is available on request to specialist Jeremy Pattison jeremy.pattison@tennants-ltd.co.uk or 01969 623780.

Chassis No: 57324
Engine No: 204
UK Reg: JPL 647

We are currently accepting lots for the next sale of Vintage Motor Vehicles & Automobilia on 13th May 2018, please contact us on 01969 623780 or enquiry@tennants-ltd.co.uk for details.