Bugatti 57S Blue Coupé 1932/1934 - A Motoring Legend in Miniature
This blue Bugatti 57S coupé miniature from 1932/1934 faithfully recreates one of the most prestigious automobiles of the interwar years. Produced by BRUMM, this replica captures the very essence of French elegance and the engineering refinement that defined the creations of Ettore Bugatti.
A true collector's piece for vintage car enthusiasts, this miniature appeals to seasoned collectors and automotive history lovers alike who want to own a piece of France's golden age of motoring.
Miniature Specifications
- Model: Bugatti 57S Coupé
- Brand: Bugatti
- Year: 1932/1934
- Scale: 1:43
- Color: Blue
- Manufacturer: BRUMM
- Protective case included: Yes
The Real Car: A Masterpiece of French Engineering
The Bugatti Type 57S was born in the early 1930s at the Molsheim workshop, driven by Ettore Bugatti and his son Jean. This car represents the culmination of the Bugatti philosophy: combining exceptional performance with refined aesthetics. The "S" in its designation stands for "Surbaissé" (lowered), reflecting the goal of creating a car with a lowered centre of gravity to improve road holding.
Powered by a 3.3-litre, 8-cylinder inline engine producing around 175 horsepower, the 57S could reach a remarkable 200 km/h, an extraordinary feat for its time. Its bodywork, often built by the finest European coachbuilders, combined aluminium and steel for a controlled weight and optimal rigidity.
With only a few dozen examples built, this limited production makes the 57S today one of the most sought-after Bugattis among collectors, fetching astronomical prices at international auctions.
Bugatti in the 1930s: French Excellence
At the time the Type 57S was created, the Bugatti marque stood at the summit of the global automotive industry. Ettore Bugatti, an Italian-born engineer based in Alsace, built his reputation on exceptional cars, both on the track and on the road. The 1930s marked the peak of the brand, with models that dominated Europe's most prestigious competitions.
The Molsheim factory then employed over 1,000 people and produced cars sold worldwide to a wealthy clientele. The Bugatti philosophy rests on a simple principle: "Nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive." This uncompromising approach translated into constant technical innovation and an unmatched level of finish, making every Bugatti a rolling work of art.
The Story of King Carol II of Romania
Among the most famous owners of the Bugatti Type 57S was King Carol II of Romania, a colourful figure of interwar Europe. A passionate motorist and lover of speed, the Romanian monarch commissioned a Type 57S in 1935 with special specifications: a coupé body built by Gangloff, painted in a royal blue created specially for the occasion.
Legend has it that Carol II used his Bugatti for secret romantic getaways with his mistress, Elena Lupescu, scandalising the royal court. The car was fitted with an especially loud horn, which the king reportedly used to disperse protesters during periods of political unrest. This anecdote perfectly captures the spirit of the era, when the automobile had become a symbol of power and modernity.
After the king's abdication in 1940, the Bugatti vanished mysteriously, probably hidden somewhere in Eastern Europe. Despite research by automotive historians, this royal Type 57S has never been found, fuelling the legends surrounding this mythical model.
This story speaks to the special aura surrounding the Bugatti Type 57S, a car that defined its era and continues to fascinate enthusiasts nearly a century after its creation.
Complete Your Miniature Collection
This BRUMM replica of the Bugatti 57S naturally has its place in any collection dedicated to exceptional automobiles. It sits perfectly alongside other models from the golden age of motoring, notably in our Bugatti and 1930s collections.
Collectors will enjoy pairing this piece with other prestigious French cars, or with Bugatti racing models to recreate the full universe of the Alsatian marque. This miniature is especially suited to enthusiasts of classic cars and to collectors seeking pieces that represent French automotive history.
The quality of BRUMM's reproduction and the authenticity of its details make it an excellent starting point for exploring the world of 1:43 scale miniatures, the preferred scale of discerning collectors.
