The Type 57, perhaps the most celebrated roadgoing chassis in Bugatti’s illustrious history, made a name for itself by being the last word in French automotive luxury.

As it was beautifully appointed and often wore coachwork from Europe’s most notable coachbuilders, ownership of a Type 57 Bugatti when new was perhaps the best statement of fashion that money could buy.

An experienced driver can ascertain hints of the company’s sporting nature through the Type 57’s chassis, and while this vehicle is often associated with the utmost levels of luxury, there is no denying its inherent athleticism.

The Paris Auto Salon of October 1936 marked a propitious crossroads for the Alsatian manufacturer.

There, the company introduced a second-series iteration of the vaunted Type 57 that featured a 3.3-liter dual overhead-cam eight-cylinder engine and competition-inspired chassis.

In addition to the second-series Type 57, Bugatti also unveiled two sporting variants of the Jean Bugatti-designed mo...