When the Petersen Automotive Museum reopened after a lengthy renovation, one of the most talked about exhibits was the “Rolling Sculpture” display in the Mullin Grand Salon on the first floor.

As anyone would expect, three of the 1930s era Bugattis were featured prominently in the display. Bugatti has long been known as the brand that combines as artistic approach with superior technical innovations – now visitors to the museum can see this blend of art with technology for themselves.

Founded by Ettore Bugatti, the Bugatti cars featured an artistic design beauty, but they were also extremely successful in racing. These successes include winning the first Monoco Grand Prix in 1929, the 24 hours of Le Mans twice (1937 & 1939), winning the first Grand Prix race the company entered (Lyon in 1924), and winning the Targa Florio five straight years (1925-1929).

The Bugatti Type 35 is still considered one of the most successful racing cars of all time with over 2,000 wins to its credit.

These are the three artistic Bugatti automobiles currently on display in the Mullin Grand Salon’s Rolling Sculpture exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum:

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic by Jean Bugatti:

The Atlantic is the production model of Jean Bugatti’s Aérolithe Electron Coupe that was unveiled at the 1935 Paris Auto Salon.

 

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The riveted seam that appears to connect the coachwork at the center pays homage to aviation technology and highlights the use of raw metal to hold the coachwork together, an accent that merges art and technology in this functional sculpture. Structural details which were solutions to welding issues remained as aesthetic additions.

1939 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante by Gangloff:

The Type 57 was a fast, comfortable touring car, and the supercharged 160-horsepower 57C version was produced only for two years. Ettore Bugatti’s son Jean significantly influenced Type 57 coachwork and was responsible for designing some of the most elegant Type 57s produced, including the rakish Atalante coupe.

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This unusual example is distinguished by its “long tail” design and roll-back roof, and was the only one delivered with chrome trim on the sides of the body.

1939 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis by Gangloff:

Bugatti often outsourced the construction of automobile coachwork to the nearby Gangloff firm, which executed the signature Jean Bugatti style with precision. The cascading profile and teardrop fenders give the impression that the vehicle is in motion.

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Gangloff executed the Aravis coachwork of Chassis 57710, 57736, and 57768, while Letourneur et Marchand was responsible for the bodies of the remaining vehicles. Jean Bugatti regarded the Aravis as the most beautiful Type 57.

1939 Bugatti Type 57C by Vanvooren:

This dramatic body was constructed by Vanvooren of Paris in the style of Figoni et Falaschi, one of the most progressive coachbuilders of the day. Advanced features include fully skirted fenders, a top that conceals beneath a metal panel when down, and a windshield that can be lowered into the cowl. Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the Prince of Persia and future Shah of Iran, received this striking supercharged Bugatti as a gift from the French government on the occasion of his first wedding.

The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Museum hours are 10am to 6pm. For general information, call (323) 930-CARS or visit www.petersen.org.