Rare and elusive $6 million Bugatti - an automotive masterpiece you might never have the chance to witness in real life.
Rare 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Special Makes Australian Debut at Noosa Concours d'Elegance
The Noosa Concours d'Elegance, a prestigious event showcasing world-class vehicles, recently welcomed a significant addition to its lineup: the 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Special. This exquisite touring car, designed by Jean Bugatti and bodied by French coachbuilder Gangloff, is a rare survivor of pre-WWII Bugatti Type 57C cars and a prized exhibit for vintage racing and Bugatti enthusiasts.
The Type 57C Aravis Special, named after the Aravis mountain pass in the French Alps, was delivered new to French racing driver Maurice Trintignant. Trintignant famously drove it at the 1939 Grand Prix du Comminges, one of its first public appearances before the outbreak of World War II interrupted European racing.
The war years and post-war era took their toll on many pre-war sports cars, with many being lost, scrapped, or heavily altered. However, the Type 57C Aravis Special survived, making it a significant icon of automotive history today.
After the war, the car passed through private owners in France and the U.S., eventually becoming part of a long-term American collection. It underwent a full restoration in the early 2000s overseen by marque expert Scott Sargent, using original factory documents and period photos to restore authentic features like hood louvers, bumper profiles, paintwork, and trim to its 1939 racing condition, with input from Trintignant himself.
The Type 57C variants, including the Aravis Special, were part of the broader Type 57 family—highly regarded Bugatti models of the 1930s combining advanced engineering with exquisite coachbuilding. The "C" suffix indicates the use of a supercharger for enhanced performance. While the Aravis was a specialized and rare version, other notable Type 57 models like the 57SC Atlantic are famous today for their extreme rarity and multi-million dollar valuations.
The restored Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Special stood out at the 2025 Noosa Concours d'Elegance, exemplifying Bugatti's blend of racing pedigree, elegant design, and artisanal coachbuilding in the late 1930s. The car received accolades at events including the Glenmoor Gathering and Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and earned First in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2005.
In 2024, the Bugatti Type 57C made its first showing in Australia at the Noosa Concours d'Elegance, offering a rare connection between Australian concours audiences and one of the great surviving icons of pre-war motoring. The car achieved a new public sale record of $6 million at auction following the passing of prominent collector Peter Mullin in 2023.
With only four Aravis models ever produced, the Bugatti Type 57C remains one of the most exclusive examples in the world. This rare and historically significant vintage car is a testament to Bugatti's dedication to crafting exceptional vehicles, and its appearance at the Noosa Concours d'Elegance is a fitting tribute to its legacy.
[1] Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Special
[2] The Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
[3] Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 2005 Winners
[1] The Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Special, having made its Australian debut at the Noosa Concours d'Elegance, is not just a prized exhibit for vintage racing and Bugatti enthusiasts, but also a testament to AI-assisted restoration techniques, thanks to the expertise of Scott Sargent leveraging original factory documents and period photos.
[2] Much like the Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Special, the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic is another famous Type 57 variant, known for its extreme rarity and multi-million dollar valuations, partially due to its experimental aerodynamic bodywork.
[3] Beyond the world of classic cars, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance has distinguished itself as a highly regarded event for lifestyle enthusiasts, with past winners including the Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Special in 2005. This prestigious event, much like home-and-garden shows, caters to connoisseurs seeking to marvel at the world's finest examples of automotive craftsmanship and sportsmanship.
