The world’s most expensive car, a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic that sold for more than US$30 million earlier this year, has gone on public display.
The luxury car is going on display at the the Mullin Automotive Museum in California.
The museum, specialising in Art Deco and streamline eras cars, says the Bugatti will be on display only for a limited time, but did not reveal just how limited that time will be.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to display the Bugatti Atlantic at our Art Deco museum,” said Peter Mullin, founder of the Mullin Automotive Museum.
“The Art Deco Movement was driven by people who were fascinated by invention and innovation – by the exotic nature of new technology and materials, by art and design, by speed and by the machine – no automobile captures this spirit more than the Bugatti Atlantic.”
The museum describes the Atlantic as having been derived from Bugatti’s prototype “Aerolithe Electron Coupe”, a vehicle that caused a sensation when unveiled at the 1935 Paris Auto Salon.
The museum goes on to explain that from its inception, the Atlantic defined exotic. It was radical both in its design and engineering. Jean Bugatti produced the Atlantic’s spectacular sculpted appearance using riveted aluminum panels that he mounted on Bugatti’s most sophisticated, powerful and revolutionary Type 57S chassis.
While only three Atlantics were built, this particular car (chassis #57374) is the first in the series, widely believed to be the most original and correct in form. It was built in 1936 and many suggest that parts from the Aerolithe prototype were used in its production.
The car’s first owner, Lord Victor Rothschild of London, ordered the car in light blue, with dark blue interior. In 1939, the car was sent back to the Bugatti factory to be fit with a supercharger. Bob Oliver, from Los Angeles, was the car’s second owner. Dr Peter Williamson then purchased the car in 1971, for US$59,000, a world record price at the time. Over many years, he respectfully restored the car to its 1939 specification. In 2003, the car made its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where it was awarded the prestigious honour of “Best in Show”.
The vehicle was recently purchased again in 2010 through a sale brokered by Gooding & Company.
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