Bugatti Atlantic 1934 - 1940 - Model history

Bugatti Atlantic

Can a complex combination of screws, wires, tubes, sheets and rubber ever be a true work of art worthy of admiration and respect, such as symphonies composed by Ludwig van Beethoven or a painting by Vincent van Gogh?

The modern age has not brought many objects that, in terms of their beauty and sublimity, could fit in with the works of art of the past. However, the car, as the most important invention, was and remains the most interesting field of action where the ideas of aesthetics and mechanics can be combined, while creating a masterpiece equal to the genius of one Leonardo Da Vinci. Despite, so far, millions of vehicle production, only a small number of models can recognize this quality. Unfortunately, the tendency is for quality to become less and less common. However, among the brands that have or have had cars like this in their model range, Bugatti is probably in the first place. It is a famous and almost esoteric French manufactory of top cars, which fascinate as much as the self-portrait of the famous painter Albert Durer. Although the legendary cars from the last 50 years are mostly shown in this section, the interesting time of automobile "antiquity" - the period until the Second World War - has been neglected. As the purpose of these pages is not only to remind but also to educate and research, it is time for this famous stamp from the distant past, whose name must be pronounced with respect. The story of Bugatti cars must also be the story of a lucid and talented man, creator and creator, whose name is Ettore Bugatti. However, during the relatively short history of the factory (1909-1947), some quite average cars were produced, which were quickly forgotten, because the constellation of fantastic vehicles that went out of operation in Molsheim is numerous and eternal. Among such racial machines, it is quite difficult to choose one that would best illustrate the spirit and characteristics of the Bugatti brand.

Bugatti Atlantic

However, the 1937 Atlantic model is the best personification of style, superior and unique design, fantastic mechanics and invaluable individuality and charm, by which these wheeled sculptures are well known. The Atlantic model was created at the time of the factory's largest expansion Bugatti, that is, during the thirties of the last century. At the time, the Bugatti was absolutely dominant in races around the world, especially with the Type 35 model and its derivatives. The fact that during 1930, at various competitions, over 1000 times, they were the first to see the black and white flag on the finish line, shows how sovereign the cars of the characteristic blue color (now called Bugatti blue) were! All this contributed to high sales and popularity with the audience, which considered Bugatti to be an exceptional sports machine. In 1929, Ettore Bugatti amazed the world with the introduction of the Type 41 Royale, which with its gigantic dimensions and 13-liter engine literally frightened spectators and fully confirmed the maxim of its creator, which reads: “Nothing is beautiful enough, nothing is good enough, nothing is powerful enough and nothing expensive enough… ”In any case, the development of the 57 series, ie the Type 57 model, began in the early XNUMXs, in the creation of which Jean Bugatti, the son of the famous designer, played a major role. It is a superior series of cars where you can see many technical solutions from racing models, as well as the luxurious finish characteristic of this brand.

Bugatti Atlantic

Bugatti, and this can often be found in various models from this period, offered its customers several forms of bodywork, so there are coupes, sedans and convertibles of various design houses that are quite different in appearance. However, one thing had to be the same for them, and that is the characteristic horseshoe-shaped cooler, unique to all Bugatti cars. The Bugatti Atlantic is the most beautiful and famous offshoot of this series, created as a design, but also a technical, experiment that has completely succeeded. Namely, it is a model that in its time represented an absolute peak in the field of luxury sports coupes, which none of the competition managed to reach. The design, for which he is best known, was the work of factory designers, and a significant contribution was made by Jean Bugatti. It is interesting that during the work, everyone was just driven by the desire to make the most beautiful car in the world. It is illusory to say how much they succeeded in that, because the feeling of a nice individual thing, but let's say that they came very, very close to that ideal… The shape of the cabin, double windows, long hood and characteristic front part stunned the automotive public design solutions had never been encountered before, while details such as the "fins" on the rear and the ventilation openings on the roof were reminiscent of solutions from the aircraft industry. Inside, there were leather seats, and the control panel was full of various control clocks, the number of which impressed the driver. Customers could get a control panel covered with mother-of-pearl, and all switches made of precious metals, which only shows which extremes were used.

Under the long, usually blue, hood with side slits, lay an in-line eight-cylinder engine, with a volume of 3257 cc. As with all real Bugatti cars, the engine compartment is lined with brushed metal, so this assembly also had an artistic touch. Power depended on the version and the T 57 S Atlantic had 170 hp, while the T 57 SC Atlantic had exactly 200 hp. The difference was made by a mechanical compressor according to the Roots principle, after which the SC version also has a name (SC - supercharger). The unit itself was a mechanical masterpiece of Ettore and Jean and its origin is directly racing. Namely, this is the last evolution of the competitive engine, from the end of the twenties, which, in the modified edition, could also be found on biplanes from that period. Due to all that, it is characterized by very advanced solutions that are unique during that time. What is most interesting are the two camshafts in the head and the dry crankcase, a real racing detail. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a four-speed dual-clutch transmission. At a time when even 80 km / h was considered a breakneck speed, the Bugatti Atlantic could reach 200 km / h, without the difficulties and load of the machine, which kept it in the place of one of the fastest sports cars in the world for a long time. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h was achieved in about 12 seconds, which is still a respectable result, and in order for the vehicle to stop safely, four large aluminum drums were seen through the wire wheels.

Production of the Atlantic model lasted only two years between 1937 and 1939, when exactly 40 pieces were made. The reason for such a small number of cars is: high standards of manual workmanship, a very high price, the specificity and superiority of the model so that few drivers feel capable enough to drive this car as it deserves. The factory price of the 1938 Atlantica was around £ 20,000, the equivalent of one million and two hundred thousand euros today. In addition, the 40 pieces also include a pair of convertibles as well as several coupes with a slightly modified cabin, and there are no two identical cars, and each differs at least in the details specific to the customer. Unfortunately, the Bugatti Type 57 S and SC Atlantic have never had the right opportunity to fully come to life as a top-class sports coupe. The ensuing World War II broke the tradition and shut down this factory. By the time the war was over, Atlantic was already obsolete, though still undeniably fast. Nevertheless, the aura of unusual car, superb craftsmanship, unrivaled style and charm constantly followed him and he was immediately accepted and treated as a true masterpiece of motoring, which it is. Therefore, the surviving Atlantic models are highly regarded and practically mystified in the world of old-timer vehicles.

Many believe that it is more appropriate to be exhibited in galleries or art museums where they would share space on an equal footing with other recognized works of art, than to be kept in the garages of a small and extremely rich collectors. According to the modest opinion of the author, they should primarily be driven because the long-deceased Ettore Bugatti made cars to drive fast, and he certainly would not want to see his best creations stand still, regardless of the environment. Finally, the question of the price of a Bugatti Atlantic arises. Let's just say that it costs as much as the famous sculpture of David made by Michelangelo Buonarroti. So it is invaluable…

Author: 426 Hemi
Images: Bugatti
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Mladen

Hi there, I am Mladen and I am an auto enthusiast. I started this blog years ago to help like minded people share information about latest cars, car servicing ideas, used car info, exotic cars, and auto technology. You will find helpful articles and videos on a wide variety of cars - Audi, Mercedes, Toyota, Porsche, Volvo, BMW and much more. Ping us if you have anything cool to share on latest cars or on how to make older cars more efficient, or just want to say hi!