.
Highlighted by its striking and sporty body style, the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Cabriolet, chassis no. 57513,
is one of only three built. It is believed to be the only example of its kind in private hands retaining its original
chassis, body, engine and gearbox, plus numerous other seldom seen original components. Perhaps even
more fascinating is that it has never been completely disassembled for restoration and remains in exquisitely
original condition. Well-documented with known history, it has enjoyed a short string of long-term owners,
mostly UK-based enthusiasts; its second and third custodians were notable fixtures in the tight-knit Bugatti
community, racing 57513 at Bugatti Owners Club meets, excelling in hill climb events, while also using the
car for Continental touring.
In 1962, the featured T57S was acquired by T.A. (Bob) Roberts, OBE, who went on to become its
longest-term owner, carefully maintaining the car for the next three decades. Early in Roberts’ custodianship,
the Bugatti was changed to its current livery of black over primrose yellow, with various upgrades made to
enhance cooling and lighting. During the 1970s, Roberts fitted 57513 with an unused 1937 Type 57G
competition engine, while the original unit (numbered 21S) was kept along with the car. Thereafter, it was
principally used as a road car, and eventually retired to Roberts’ Midlands Motoring Museum in Bridgnorth,
Shropshire, with its original engine reinstalled before passing onto its current and first American owner in the
1990s. In single-ownership for the last two decades, 57513 comes to Amelia Island with its original engine
still equipped with the larger competition carburetor from the Type 57G motor, offering an impressive increase
in power, and following a recent mechanical recommissioning by RM Auto Restoration. It is expected to
command in excess of $8.5 million when it takes center stage at RM’s Amelia Island sale at the Ritz-Carlton
in March.
“The cars of Ettore and Jean Bugatti exemplify the virtues so appealing to the Classic Era sporting enthusiast
who had the means to acquire the very best. The T57, in particular, was legendary for its high power, light
handling and overall refinement,” says Don Rose, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s.
“Then comes the exceptionally rare and sporting T57S, one of very few open cars built on the same advanced
competition chassis as the iconic Bugatti Atlantic Coupé, and just as rare. In total, just 48 57S chassis were
built, the majority of which featured factory design coachwork. The fact that this car is one of only three
cabriolets bodied by Vanvooren makes it all the more special. We’re truly honored to be presenting chassis
57513 at Amelia Island on behalf of its long-term owner. One could choose to maintain its exceptional
originality and charm, or it could be considered as a restoration candidate, expected to be highly competitive
at the top level of the international concours scene, potentially worthy of Best of Show celebration.”
The largely unmolested, blue-chip Bugatti will be surrounded by a curated selection of some 80 handpicked
automobiles at RM Sotheby’s upcoming Amelia Island sale. Among other entries representing beautiful
pre-war design: a 1930 Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe and a 1933 Cadillac V-16 All-Weather
Phaeton.
One of only three supercharged Stutzes in existence, the 1930 Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe,
chassis no. M-C-31312, is clothed as a rakish and low-slung aluminum coupe by Lancefield Coachworks.
Universally lauded for its handsome and sinister appearance, it comes to Amelia Island beautifully restored
and with an impeccable history, including a well-known roster of owners dating back to famed Stutz collector
A.K. Miller, who purchased it in the late 1940s. Owing to its provenance, design and supercharged
specification, it is undoubtedly one of the most desirable examples of the Stutz marque (Est. $1,000,000 –
$1,400,000).
The 1933 Cadillac V-16 All-Weather Phaeton, motor no. 5000102, is a fantastic example of the
top-of-the-line Cadillac V-16 of its era. For the first time in 1933, Cadillac gave the V-16s a separate identity
with unique styling cues found in the body lines, fender edges and various finish details throughout. It was
also the first Cadillac to feature the “de Sakhnoffsky” hood— a striking feature in which the hood overlaid the
cowl and reached to the base of the windshield. With the Depression taking its toll on the upper classes, only
126 V-16s were delivered by Cadillac in 1933. Only a small number of these All-Weather Phaetons from this
rare year are known to survive. Elegant and sporty, the featured example is very well-known and respected in
collector circles. It boasts prominent ownership history, including Gifford Oborne, Bill Chorkey, Carmine
Zeccardi and, more recently, Steve Plunkett in whose collection it resided for over a decade (Est. $400,000 -
$500,000).
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