1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet: A Masterpiece on Wheels

If cars could talk, the 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Letourneur et Marchand would regale you with tales of Parisian streets, Dutch royalty, and its star-studded stint in Los Angeles. At over $750k, this isn’t just a car; it’s a rolling time capsule of elegance, ingenuity, and a fair bit of swagger.

One of just eight ever built with Letourneur et Marchand’s series coachwork, chassis number 57644 is as rare as it is ravishing. Think pontoon front fenders, enclosed rear fenders, and semi-recessed headlamps topped off with a third central lamp for dramatic flair. Finished in a striking green over lighter green coves, this cabriolet is a visual symphony—from its polished leather upholstery to its subtly menacing Super-LumiNova®-like glow (okay, not literally, but the vibe is there).

Originally sold in Paris in 1938, this beauty meandered to the Netherlands in 1945 before catching a flight to the U.S. with its owner, Dutch Air Force pilot Rudi van Daalen Wetters. Rudi wasn’t just any pilot; he was an attaché to Prince Bernhard post-WWII and a connoisseur of fine automobiles. After settling in Burbank, California, the Bugatti became a centrepiece in Rudi’s collection, rubbing elbows with Talbot-Lagos and other pre-war luminaries.

Fast forward to the 2010s, when this automotive royalty underwent a transformation worthy of its legacy. After 66 years in a single family, it passed to its current owner, who promptly enlisted Bugatti specialists for a meticulous restoration. The green-on-green scheme was lovingly reinstated, and a period-correct supercharger was added for that extra va-va-voom, boosting the car to Type 57C power levels. The result? A concours-winning showstopper that’s as fast as it is fabulous.

Its trophy shelf is already brimming, with accolades from Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Amelia Island, but this isn’t just a garage queen. 57644 is primed for vintage rallies and events, where it’s guaranteed to turn heads faster than its finely tuned engine revs.

For collectors who crave history wrapped in chrome and leather, the Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet is the ultimate indulgence. Ready for its next chapter, this automotive icon beckons those bold enough to take the wheel. As Bugatti lovers might say, “Pourquoi pas?”

buy now from rm sotheby’s | $750k