Bugatti Enters the Age Of Aerodynamic Designs... [PIC]

Ettore Bugatti's son, Jean, as now the head of the business, looked to body his lowered Type 57 chassis using the aerodynamic 'tear drop' philosophthat was all the rage. He made an earlier prototype, the very striking " Aerolithe" in 1934. The resultant 1936 Atlantic became what some consider the first supercar. It was also the first 'finned' car due to the use of the ultra light "Elektron" alloy of magnesium and aluminum. It brought the complete car to under 2100 lbs, but being flammable, it had to be riveted rather than welded giving the car a central fin that was of necessity rather than a design cue. Virtually all Atlantics built were true SCs (supercharged) but the bodies differed in styling somewhat they were singularly commissioned. The supercharged 3.3 liter straight 8 could produce up to 200 HP linked to a 4 speed manual. Only 4 of these were built and only 3 are still in existence.

This CMC model, registered as EXK-6, represents The Ralph Lauren car as it left the factory. In it's current restoration it's black with solid alloy wheels.