Bugatti Type 57S
The 'Surbaissé' masterpiece: Jean Bugatti’s low-slung Art Deco icon.
- Power
- 170 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 10.0 s
- Top speed
- 120 mph
- Est. value
- $3.5m–$10m
About the Bugatti Type 57S
The Type 57S, or 'Surbaissé' (lowered), represents the pinnacle of Jean Bugatti's engineering and aesthetic vision. It features a shorter, lower chassis where the rear axle passes through the frame rails, necessitating a dry-sump lubrication system to fit the engine under the rakish hood. Distinguished by its V-shaped radiator and external exhaust pipes, the 57S was a high-performance grand tourer that shared much of its DNA with the Le Mans-winning Type 57G 'Tank'. Only 43 examples were built, many receiving bespoke coachwork like the legendary Atalante and Atlantic, making it one of the most coveted pre-war automobiles in existence.
Bugatti Type 57S specs
The Bugatti Type 57S produces 170 bhp (127 kW). It reaches 60 mph in 10.0 seconds and has a top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h).
| Make | Bugatti |
|---|---|
| Model | Type 57S |
| Trim | 3.3 I8 |
| Years | 1936–1938 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Coupé |
| Country | France |
| Production | About 43 built |
| Engine | 3.3-litre DOHC straight-8 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 3,257 cc (3.3 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 170 bhp (127 kW) at 5,500 rpm |
| Redline | 5,500 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 10.0 s |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 950 kg (2,094 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 179 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Bugatti Type 57S worth?
A typical Bugatti Type 57S is estimated to be worth $3,500,000 – $10,000,000 (about £2,610,000 – £7,460,000).
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Bugatti Type 57S rarity in CarSpot
The Bugatti Type 57S is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Bugatti Type 57S fun facts
- The 'S' stands for 'Surbaissé', French for 'lowered', referring to the chassis design where the rear axle passes through the frame rather than under it.
- Most original Type 57S owners eventually returned their cars to the Molsheim factory to be fitted with a supercharger, effectively upgrading them to 57SC specification.
- A Type 57S Atalante was famously discovered in a British garage in 2009, having been untouched since the 1960s, and subsequently sold for over £3 million.
