The Beautifully Rare Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine

Bugattis are known to be exquisitely designed, and this particular example of a masterpiece is as beautiful as it is rare, the Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine.

A standout among other Bugattis, it was unveiled at the Salon de l'Automobile in Paris in October 1934, and is the only example in existence.

Mystery surrounds this exquisite machine, as the ‘Usine’ in its moniker was never an official nameplate of Bugatti and it’s thought Jean Bugatti, son of Bugatti founder Ettore, designed the car.

The only model known to have been built is chassis number 57222, which is finished in black and yellow, the favourite colours of Ettore Bugatti.

One of a number of body types used for the legendary Bugatti Type 57 was the ‘Grand Raid’, which the word raid describes a long and arduous rally in French.

There were only ten ‘Grand Raid’ chassis ever built, and the most intriguing of them all is the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine and its iconic coachbuilt aluminium body. 

Notably, the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid models differed from versions like the Type 57SC Atlantic and Type 57S Atalante in that they were designed to race.

They were made evident by the streamlined and elongated fenders, V-shaped windscreen and aerodynamic headrest supports. 

Plus, the steering column angle was adjusted to move the driver further backwards in the chassis, and the gear lever, handbrake and pedals were also repositioned.

Shortly after astonishing the world with its beautiful design and high-specification chassis when it debuted, the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine was entered into the Paris-Nice rally. 

It was enrolled by legendary racer Pierre Veyron, the man whose name was given to the first modern-era Bugatti, the 2005 Veyron hypercar. 

In April 1935, at the hands of Grand Prix driver Robert Benoist, the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine took first place in the Chavigny hill climb event.

Then, in 1946 the car was sold to its first post-war owner. Under their ownership it was modified, which included alterations to the lights in the fenders. 

These alterations were later removed, fully restoring the car back to its original configuration, as it was seen at the Salon de l'Automobile.

Fast forward, since 2001 this Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine has been housed in the Louwman Museum in The Hague, Netherlands. 

Said museum showcases the world’s oldest private collection of historic cars, as such it is the perfect home for this incredibly rare piece of automotive history. 

Outstandingly, exquisite design and superlative engineering underpin everything Bugatti has created in its long, illustrious history. 

But even among enduring greatness there are some models that stand out as extra special, and the Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine is one such car.

Bugatti Automobiles’ president, Christophe Piochon, concluded, “The Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine is an exceptional piece of Bugatti’s heritage in every aspect and one that embodies all that Bugatti stands for in the 21st century. It was engineered for performance and designed with the highest standards of craftsmanship and luxury. It is a luxury sports car, the inspiration for modern Bugatti cars.”