Since the beginning of the 20th century, Bugatti has positioned itself as one of the most iconic brands in the world of motorsports for its commitment to excellence, design and unprecedented engineering. Among these great cars is the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, a car that could reach 200 km/h in the 1930s.
This model, equipped with a supercharged 3.3-liter eight-cylinder engine, is considered one of the most exclusive cars in the world. The reason is that there are only three available, although originally there were four. The second unit, known as La Voiture Noire due to its black color, has been missing since 1938. This mystery remains unsolved to this day: where is this exclusive racing car?
This car was, for a time, the personal car of Jean Bugatti, founder of the brand. In ’38, as the company has maintained since then, track was officially lost. Although it doesn’t seem like that at all, something that has fueled the legend of this black classic.
There are reports that it was given to Bugatti racer Robert Benoist after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937, and was subsequently gifted to another racer, William Grover-Williams, before being returned to the factory in 1939. when Grover-Williams moved to England.
Furthermore, between 1939 and 1941, some Bugatti engineers are said to have driven the car, but officially, the vehicle never had registered owners. According to rumors, the last time La Voiture Noire was seen was when its chassis number was changed to 57454 and it was sent to Bordeaux for protection from World War II.
To this day, its fate remains a real mystery: it could have been loaded onto a ship before the Germans took control of France, it could have been destroyed to prevent it from falling into enemy hands, or it could still be hidden somewhere. granary of Europe.
The possibility of La Voiture Noire being discovered continues to have collectors searching for any trace of this elusive classic. It is estimated that if La Voiture Noire is found, its value could exceed $100 million.
The Rothschild Atlantic was delivered in 1936 to Victor Rothschild, a prominent British banker. This car, originally painted in a blue-gray tone, was returned to the Bugatti factory in Molsheim to be fitted with a supercharger at Rothschild’s own request. Over the years, this vehicle has changed hands and been restored several times, maintaining its reputation as one of the most valuable and sought-after cars in the world.
The Holzschuh Atlantic, given to the Frenchman Jacques Holzschuh in 1936, has a history marked by tragedy and restoration. After a fatal accident with its second owner at a level crossing, this car was completely destroyed and subsequently underwent a complex restoration, although its original engine could not be saved.
The Pope Atlantic was built for Richard Pope in 1938. This car is known for its meticulous restoration at the hands of fashion designer Ralph Lauren, who acquired the vehicle in 1988. His restoration returned the car to its original glory, and it has won honorary awards at prestigious events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Villa d’Este.
