Developed by Ettore Bugatti’s son, Jean, the Type 57C was an attempt to produce a single platform base for making cars in several variants, unlike his father, who developed different platforms for each new car model. This helped the car maker to not only be profitable but also give the rich customer several choices, each with several engine options.

The Bugatti Type 57C was produced as the Ventoux (two-door saloon), Galibier (four-door saloon), Stelvio (convertible), and as the Atalante (coupé). Almost 800 different cars were produced in either of the variants.

The Shah of Iran’s car was one special car. This cabriolet car, with a 3.2-litre engine and a supercharger, was built by Carrosserie Vanvooren, who were well-known as bespoke coachbuilders and worked closely with Hispano-Suiza, Rolls-Royce, and others. The car was presented to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi by the French government on March 14th, 1939, during his marriage to Princess Fawzia*, daughter of King Fouad of Egypt, in Cairo.

* first wife