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Most Type 57s feature bodywork penned by Jean Bugatti in one of four distinct styles named after Mont Ventoux, the Col du Galibier and the Stelvio Pass, but this custom coupe took the best traits from each. It was built by employees at the factory as a gift to Ettore Bugatti and was probably one of the last cars he acquired. It uses some of the trademark Type 57 traits, but with a full profiled fastback design that was unique among Type 57s. Furthermore, the car remained predominately with the factory and was continually developed which made it one of the most important Bugattis.

The story of Ettore's own Type 57 begins with chassis 57335 in 1935. It was initially built as a 'Type 57 TT' competition car with an elegant torpedo body and tiny front windshield probably made by Corsica. It was driven this way by Pierre Veyron and Lucien Wurmser at the Paris-Nice Rally in April 1936. Later it was gifted to Pierre Veyron, but was crashed heavily and returned to the factory.

With a competition-spec chassis available, the workers at the factory decided to turn 57335 into a dramatic coupe as a gift to Ettore Bugatti. They used the fastback profile from a Galibier with a two-door setup from the Ventoux. Thus, in many cases the car could list Jean Bugatti as its designer. Completed to a thorough standard, every detail of the new coupe was custom made including much of the interior and switchgear. Features custom EB logos on the rear bumper and the dashboard. Furthermore, since the chassis was initially designed for competition, it used a particularly strong engine and transmission.

As a coupe, 57335 was completed in June 1938 for Ettore Bugatti's birthday. According to the factory workers it was completed on their own time. Bugatti retained the car for several years, but not without several major stories and incidents. In this very car, Ettore hit a motorcyclist. It was subsequently fixed and fitted with a more responsive steering box from a truck. Later, it was given to Pierre Marco, the chief mechanic that would look after Bugatti's factory after the war.

When Germany invaded France in May 1940, Bugatti race driver Robert Benoist completed an epic drive in 57335 from Molshiem through Switzerland. To save himself and the car, he drove at night and reached speeds near 100 mph. Following this, he retained the car in Paris and was sanctioned by the Nazi pary to drive it from Le Bourget to Angouleme.

After Bugatti folded in 1959, the car was sold to Lyman Greenlee of Indiana who quickly got it out of the country before it became property of the government. He had the sense to keep 57335 in original condition. Remarkably, the car only changed hands twice in nearly 50 years. Gary Kohs displayed it at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1985 and again in 2003 for Bugatti's feature display.

After a divorce settlement Gary Kohs was forced to sell 57335 and it was offered at Gooding & Company's 2009 Pebble Beach Auction. David Gooding described it as "one of the most spectacular Bugattis ever built." Pat O'Quinn picked up the car for inclusion his extensive Houston Collection for 1.375 million USD inclusive of buyer's premium.

Story by Richard Owen