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; the Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine is one such car. As rare and mysterious as it is beautiful, this is the only example in existence.
In front of an audience of the global automotive press and car enthusiasts, the Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid was unveiled at the Salon de l’Automobile in Paris in October 1934. One of a number of body types used for the legendary Bugatti Type 57, the ‘Grand Raid’ was specifically designed for competition – the world ‘raid’ being used to describe a long and arduous rally in French.
There were only ten ‘Grand Raid’ chassis ever built, but perhaps the most intriguing of them all is the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine and its iconic coachbuilt body, which was unveiled at the Salon de l’Automobile in Paris. This one-of-a-kind example featured an aluminum body. The only model known to have been built is chassis number 57222 which is finished in black and yellow – the favorite colors of Bugatti’s founder, Ettore Bugatti.