Bugatti built the Type 57 Atlantic, one of the rarest and most valuable classic cars ever made.
The Atlantic was a special coupé derived from the Bugatti Type 57S chassis, designed in the mid-1930s by Jean Bugatti, son of company founder Ettore Bugatti. Its long, low body and dramatic dorsal seam gave it an unmistakable Art Deco appearance.
The seam was inspired by the prototype’s Elektron alloy body panels, which could not be conventionally welded. Production Atlantics used aluminium, but Bugatti retained the riveted-looking ridge as a signature styling feature. Only four production Atlantics were built, and three are known to survive.
The Atlantic is often confused with the related Type 57 Atalante, but the two bodies are distinct. The Atlantic’s scarcity, advanced engineering, racing pedigree and striking design have made it a landmark of pre-war automotive history. Several examples have been valued in the tens of millions of dollars, while one missing car is often described as potentially worth far more.