Chances are, if you are a frequent traveler of the internet that you may have already come across this beautiful oddity of the automotive world.

The car you see here is basically a recreation of a Bugatti Aerolithe, a concept car displayed at the Paris Auto Show in 1935, a prototype announcing the Atlantic, and soon after just disappeared from the face of the earth.

No one really knows what happened to the beautiful creation of Jean Bugatti. The bodywork was made from magnesium alloy, a flammable material that was a nightmare to work with but its lightweight properties were worth the trouble -hence the externally riveted panels of the bodywork. Magnesium back then was applied on aviation and considered as a very bold and futuristic move for Bugatti.

In order for the car to be considered a real Bugatti, it must feature at least three out of five elements: engine, transmission, chassis, front and rear axles. David Grainger, owner of the Guild of Automotive Restorers in Ontario, Canada, responsible for the build, had 4 of the elements with matching numbers; he was only missing the front axle. The chassis used is the oldest known Type 57, No. 57104. 
The riveted seams, its streamlined design and the whole art deco theme of the car passed on to the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, one of the most valuable classic cars of today. Only two exist in the world and the latest estimation for the one Ralph Lauren owns is for about $40 million.

Pre-war Bugattis have always been members of the classic car royal family but this Aerolithe is even more special.

By Michael Karkafiris

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