1933-1939 Bugatti Type 57 Aravis
The Type 57 Aravis was Bugatti’s factory-designed two-seat Cabriolet named after French mountain range in Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
Execution of the Aravis bodystyle was limited to just Gangloff and Letourneur & Marchand. Each bodied around five examples to the Aravis style and another was created by Albert D’Ieteren.
The Aravis befitted from all the Type 57 engineering, development and upgrades throughout production. It used the twin-overhead camshaft 3.3-litre inline-8 which was good for 135 bhp in standard form.
Chassis arrangements included Rudge Witworth wire wheels, fifteen inch drum brakes and an uncluttered chassis having good strength. As with most Bugatti designs the Type 57 was relatively simple in design, but the result of complicated craftsmanship.
Pictures & Gallery
See full 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Aravis Gallery here
Specs & Performance
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1933 – 1939 |
| built at | Molshiem, France |
| body stylist | Jean Bugatti |
| production | 11 |
| engine | Inline-8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | gear-Driven DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Single Updraft Stromberg UUR-2 Carburettor |
| displacement | 3245 cc / 198.02 in³ |
| bore | 72 mm / 2.8 in |
| stroke | 100 mm / 3.9 in |
| power | 100.7 kw / 135 bhp @ 4500 rpm |
| specific output | 41.6 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 82.82 bhp per tonne |
| redline | 5000 |
| body / frame | Body over Steel Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | 18 Inch RudgeSpoked Wire |
| front tires | 18 x 5.50 |
| rear tires | 18 x 5.50 |
| front brakes | Cable Operated Drums |
| rear brakes | Cable Operated Drums |
| front wheels | F 45.7 x 12.7 cm / 18 x 5 in |
| rear wheels | R 45.7 x 12.7 cm / 18 x 5 in |
| f suspension | Rigid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Hartford Friction Shock Absrobers |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Reversed Quarter-Elliptic Springs, Hartford Friction Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1630 kg / 3594 lbs |
| wheelbase | 3300 mm / 129.9 in |
| front track | 1350 mm / 53.1 in |
| rear track | 1350 mm / 53.1 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| tran clutch | Single Dry Plate |
| final drive | 4.16:1 |
| top speed | ~152.85 kph / 95 mph |
Auction Sales History
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Cabriolet by Gangloff 57710 – sold for $2,337,500 One of three extant Aravis Cabriolets by Gangloff. Full concours-quality restoration by LaVine Restorations. Desirable supercharged specification. The 2012 Amelia Island Best of Show winner. Documented by Bugatti historian Pierre-Yves Laugier. Auction Source: 2015 Amelia Island by RM Sotheby’s
