Friday, June 01, 2007

In a New York garage since 1962, 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante Coupe


the Atalante: two-door coupé body named after the quick-footed young woman of Greek mythology who would not marry any man who could not outrun her.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/automobiles/collectibles/27BARN.html?_r=1&ref=collectibles&oref=slogin for terrific slideshow

In addition to the supercharged engine including rubber engine mounts for quieter operation. It is complete and remarkably well preserved, first US owner Ray Murray combine its supercharged Type 57C chassis with the beautiful and rare Atalante coachwork which induced the current owner to keep it for more than half a century in a New York City suburb. It will be auctioned on June 3 by Christie’s at the Greenwich Concours d’Élégance, at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Conn. Christie’s estimates that the car will sell for $300,000 to $400,000.

It was less than thirty years old when it was laid up and had been owned by a succession of thoughtful collectors. Even at the beginning of the last century's second half they recognized and appreciated the wonderful combination of the supercharged Type 57C's performance and Jean Bugatti's stunning Atalante coachwork.

The owner of this particular Bugatti is John Wendell Straus. Mr. Straus, 87, is a grandson of Isador Straus, who built R.H. Macy & Co. into a retail giant and who, with his wife, Ida, was among those lost on the Titanic in 1912.

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/05/1938-bugatti-type-57c-atlante-coupe.html