Immaculate 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante Showcases Some of Its Classy Secrets

The nonprofit organization has a very active social media presence, and that includes set pieces on various models from its extensive collection. For example, you can check out intriguing cars such as a lavender 1929 Ruxton Model C Roadster, as part of their “Deep Dive” series on their YouTube channel.

Their latest video (both are embedded below), on the other hand, focuses on a far more interesting classic. Micaela, the host, is discussing a 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante – one of Jean Bugatti’s last designs before he tragically lost his life that same year at the wheel of a Type 57 racer, the same example that had just won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Not very long – at just a little over five minutes – the deep dive feature serves not only as a window into the secrets room of this unique example, but also as a quick course of early Bugatti history. Although a bit more static than we like our walkaround features, this presentation is quite instructive and compressed, covering a range of subjects.

It starts with a bit of Bugatti history, namely a discussion about the Type 57 series in general (from the 1:55 mark) and the Atalante in particular (2:30), before touching a couple of interesting subjects that have fascinated Bugatti fans. You can jump at the 3:20 mark to hear the story of Carlo Bugatti creating the famed emblem as well as the mystery surrounding the inspiration for the company’s iconic radiator grille.

As far as this particular Atalante (the name derives from the Greek heroine Atalanta) is concerned, chassis number 57828 is one of just 17 units in this special series. It’s also one of just three examples that was bodied by Swiss coachbuilder Gangloff and uniquely equipped with chrome trim on the sides for its first delivery that occurred back in May of 1939.