In addition to the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree, the museum Bugatti is also proudly displayed in the heart of New York.
Every winter, New York City follows its own familiar rhythm. The streets glow a little warmer, the storefronts exude seasonal charm, and Rockefeller Center becomes a mecca for anyone looking for some festive Christmas cheer. Normally the huge, colorfully lit Christmas tree gets all the attention, but this year something different is keeping those around you in suspense. In a glass display case in front of Christie’s New York there is a Bugatti Type 57S Atlante from 1937, which advertises the very first Retromobile NY in just one year. Amid the decorations and crowds, this prewar masterpiece seems almost surreal, more museum artifact than Christmas decoration, but still perfectly at home in the middle of Manhattan.
Founded by Ettore Bugatti, the brand viewed automobiles as rolling works of art long before that term became too commonly used. The Type 57 line, introduced in the 1930s under the leadership of Ettore’s son Jean Bugatti, marked a culmination of this philosophy. Elegant, technically advanced and unmistakably dramatic, these examples set new standards for pre-war performance and design. The Atlante variant, characterized by its dramatic coupe silhouette and central back seam, was the most striking expression of this vision.
The “S” in the Type 57S stands for Surbaissé, meaning “lowered,” and it wasn’t just a stylistic choice. With a lowered chassis, dry sump lubrication and, in some versions, a supercharged inline eight-cylinder engine, the 57S was a serious sports car disguised as haute couture. Only a handful of Atlantés were ever built, making each surviving example a cornerstone of automotive history. His influence is still reflected in Bugatti’s modern hypercar range.
Origin plays a major role in Atlante’s mysterious legacy. Over the years, examples have been owned by some of the world’s most respected collectors, and when they change hands, they do so in staggering numbers. Documented sales reached eight figures, with top examples rumored to exceed $30 million privately, making the Type 57S Atlante one of the most valuable collector cars anywhere. Seeing one on public display, especially in a place as iconic as Rockefeller Center, is like a gift in itself.
Image source: Jacob Hopkins
