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THE BUGATTI TYPE 57 SC ATLANTIC

THE MOST EXCEPTIONAL SUPERCARS OF THEIR ERA

1935 Type 57S Atlantic

These two extraordinary vehicles were created by passionate engineers for discerning motoring enthusiasts. Both are the results of the most ambitious projects in automotive history. And both appear to have come from another world. The Type 57S was unveiled at the 1935 Paris Motor Show. It was closely related to the standard Type 57 in terms of engineering, but featured a very different chassis. At 2.98 metres, this was 32 centimetres shorter than the standard model, and featured a rear axle that passed through the chassis. The suspension of the car was also set lower than on other versions, which is where the S in its title comes from (standing for "surbaiss", or "lowered" in French).

In fact, the vehicle had a ground clearance of barely 10 centimetres. The 3.3-litre in-line eight-cylinder engine was equipped with two overhead camshafts and a turbocharger, and was capable of producing over 200 hp. In addition, it had dry sump lubrication and a higher compression ratio than the standard engine.

The SC offered a top speed of well over 200 km/h, twinned with acceleration from 0 to 100 in less than 10 seconds.

The engine was so responsive that it could be driven from 10 km/h right up to ist top speed in direct transmission mode. Jean Bugatti, who had already proven himself to be one of the world's leading bodywork designers with the Type 55 Roadster, was also responsible for the styling of the Atlantic.

The car was intended to be as light and aerodynamic as possible, and aluminium was used throughout. Originally, however, the idea had been to employ magnesium (known at Bugatti as electron), an even lighter material – as a result, the panelling was riveted in place rather than welded.

A two-centimetre-high spine therefore ran from the radiator grille along the entire length of the car, and across each wing, where the panels were intended to be riveted. The car's unusual styling was further emphasised by the doors, which curved round to form part of the roof. Although the interior was not particularly luxurious, the seating position was perfect.

The driver sat in a slightly reclined position, with the steering column stretching high into the passenger cell to ensure that the wheel was sufficiently distant from the driver's thighs. The view over the car's slim bonnet and impressive wings was nothing short of magnificent. And even today, 70 years after it was first launched, a ride in the Atlantic is still breathtaking. You get a clear feeling of what a privilege it must have been to travel in such a marvellous piece of engineering in the turbulent 1930s. Between 1936 and 1938, 43 Type 57S chassis were built, four of which were Atlantic coups.

 

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