The Bugatti Type 57 is rightly hailed as one of the great touring cars of the pre-war era, and the already excellent model only grew more sporting when the immortal Molsheim firm introduced the Type 57S.

As the “S” in the model designation indicated, these chassis were Surbaissé , or lowered, which further improved handling characteristics—and made for the perfect blank canvas for some of the most alluring coachwork of all time.

This car, chassis number 57601, is one of a scant 43 Type 57S examples believed to have been built.

It was first delivered to Bugatti’s Brixton Road agency in London, England, and purchased by Mr.

G.D.

Pearce-Jones of Oxshott.

The famed English coachbuilder Corsica was then contracted to build a closed coupe body for the car; interestingly, when complete, this coupe bore more than a passing resemblance to the ultra-rare and desirable Jean Bugatti-designed Type 57SC Atlantic.

According to research conducted by marque expert David Sewell, the car was regis...