Under The Hood- Bugatti Type 57

Today on Under the Hood, we're looking at a truly exotic classic, a proven racewinner, but also a stately grand tourer. It's the Bugatti Type 57. The Type 57 was introduced in 1934 by Bugatti, and had a 3.3L straight-8 producing 135 horsepower. The car was well-known in its day, particularly with special editions such as the Aerolithe, Atlante and 57G Tank. This car is a rebodied version but is otherwise authentic.

Another interesting feature of the car, is the interior. The dashboard is a typical 1930s style board with wood veneer, but the seats and trim are made from ostrich leather. I tested this while I was interviewing Kip McIntyre for yesterday's installment of Behind the Wheel and it is indeed extremely comfortable. The car is in the French blue racing livery. In the 1930s, cars had to be painted in the country's colours, so UK cars were British Racing Green, Italian cars were red, French were blue and German were silver. That's why brands such as Ferrari are associated with Red, while Mercedes F1 is known as the Silver Arrows.

The Type 57 is a true icon of the history of luxury cars. It's rare to experience one of these, and I can say it is brilliant.