New York City’s holiday season typically revolves around the towering Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, but this winter, a different kind of spectacle is sharing the spotlight. A 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atlante, one of the world’s most coveted pre-war automobiles, is on display outside Christie’s New York inside a glass showcase, drawing curious onlookers and car enthusiasts alike. The placement marks an early promotion for the first Retromobile NY, scheduled to debut next year, and adds a surprising dash of automotive history to the familiar holiday scene.
Bugatti has long been associated with mechanical artistry, a philosophy rooted in the vision of company founder Ettore Bugatti. That approach was pushed even further under his son, Jean Bugatti, who guided the creation of the Type 57 series during the 1930s. The Atlante variant reflected the height of that design era, known for its sweeping coupe profile and pronounced dorsal seam that made it instantly recognizable.
Beyond its appearance, the Type 57S carried engineering advancements that separated it from its contemporaries. The “Surbaissé” designation signified a lowered chassis, paired with features such as dry-sump lubrication and, in certain builds, a supercharged straight-eight engine. This combination delivered performance that far exceeded typical road cars of the time, giving the Atlante an identity that blended elegance with capability.
Survival alone makes any Atlante remarkable, as only a small number were produced before World War II. Those that remain are treated as benchmarks within the collector market. Past transactions have reached well into eight-figure territory, with some examples believed to command more than $30 million in private sales.
For holiday visitors, encountering such a machine in the middle of Manhattan offers an unexpected moment of rarity. As crowds gather for seasonal traditions, the Bugatti adds its own chapter to the city’s winter rituals—quiet, striking and nearly impossible to ignore.
Image Source: Jacob Hopkins
Shawn Henry