1935 BUGATTI TYPE 57, CARROSSERIE RÉPLIQUE « AÉROLITHE »

US title
Temporary importation in the EU
Chassis n° 57104

• Mythical model, vanished forever
• Work of an exceptional standard
• Genuine Bugatti 57 base
• Featured in a Jay Leno TV show

When the Paris Motor Show opened its doors on 4 October 1935, Bugatti unveiled one of the most spectacular cars of its day, if not of all time. Designed by Jean Bugatti and called the "Type 57 Coupé Spécial", it had a futuristic, Art Deco-inspired form, its long bonnet giving way to a compact cabin, the shape inspired by the cockpit of an aeroplane. This enigmatic machine was built on a Type 57 chassis, the model launched two years earlier which would give rise to the most successful Bugatti touring cars and would also excel in competition winning at Le Mans in the 24 Hour race. However, Bugatti was not yet racing the type 57's in 1935 when the Coupé Spécial created a stir at the Motor Show. So much so, in fact that it earned the name Aérolithe, an out-dated synonym for meteorite. This was a non- road worthy prototype, with no indicators or windscreen wipers and fixed windows. The exhaust pipes were fixed on simply under the bodywork. The car was painted an elegant metallic green, given the nickname "Crème de menthe" by the factory. Importantly, the coachwork was made from Elektron, a lightweight and highly flammable material that was difficult to work with, composed of an aluminium and magnesium alloy. With standard welding not feasible, the panels had to be riveted. Assembling the two half-shells required the presence of a central ridge which ran like a backbone down the length of the car. This technical necessity became a striking stylistic feature that was repeated all the way down the wings. This astounding coupé which became one of the most influential prototypes of all time, changing automobile design forever, was subsequently displayed at the London Motor Show. Then, several months later, it was finished off with all necessary parts at the factory so that it could be safely taken out on the road. During tests carried out by Robert Benoist in 1936 the Aérolithe was timed at nearly 195 km/h. The car then returned to England for a test drive through the streets of London.
At the same time, Bugatti launched a version of the Type 57, known as the 57S (SC with compressor) with a lower body than the standard 57 in aluminium, with a more rounded grille and wind-shields. The most sporting version of this model was undoubtedly the Atlantic, its Jean Bugatti styling clearly inspired by the Aérolithe. The Atlantic has become a legendary car, for its style and rarity, and the three surviving examples are all part of important collections today. Back in the 1930s, these more modern machines made the Aérolithe obsolete and in 1939, on the cusp of the Second World War, the mysterious coupé disappeared. Some believe it may have been buried to avoid being requisitioned by the Germans, and others suggest it was dismantled for parts, at a time when Bugatti not in a particularly prosperous state.
The story could have ended there. But in 2008, Christopher Ohrstrom, President of the World Monuments Fund and David Grainger, restoration specialist, set out to make a replica of the vanishing coupé. The aim was to make it as faithful to the original as possible. They started by looking for a chassis that was close to that of the Aérolithe, believed to be n°57103, and discovered n°57104, one of the earliest in the series, complete with its engine, transmission and part of the running gear. For the coachwork, they studied all available photos on the computer in order to establish, as accurately as they could, exact dimensions of the car and details of how it was built, down to the position of the rivets on the central ridge and the design of the whitewall tyres. Using templates, the bodywork was formed out of Elektron, a particularly difficult procedure given the delicate nature of this material. The interior was recreated with its wooden dashboard and tubular seats covered in leather. Impressively faithful, the results attracted acclaim of the highest order when the car appeared in the specialised press. It was awarded the International Historical Car of the Year by the magazine Octane. The Aérolithe coupé recreation has taken part in major design exhibitions in American museums (Atlanta, Raleigh, Indianapolis and Portland) and has been exhibited at Quail Lodge, in Carmel, California. At the Amelia Island Concours d'Elégance, the car was awarded the "North Trophy for Best Coachwork" and "Best in Show & Peoples’ Choice Awards" at Cobble Beach. Jay Leno, the famous American presenter, collector and automobile enthusiast, even produced a programme dedicated to this work of art, which included a testdriveof the car. An extraordinary creation, this Aérolithe bears witness to the exceptional skill in producing the bodywork and the remarkable journey undertaken to create a faithful reconstruction. It allows us to admire, in a life-size and moving form, one of the most legendary automobiles in history, that has disappeared forever. This must be one of the very best attempts in history to bring a work of art back to life, to resuscitate a mysterious automobile that is now a legend. The quality of restoration and the work carried out is exceptional and breathtakingly beautiful in every detail.

Photo © Bernard Canonne

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1935-bugatti-type-57-carrosserie-replique-aerolithe-4134-148