1937 Bugatti 57SC Nabs Record $9.7 Million at Auction

While the gaggle of Jerry Seinfeld’s Porsches that sold at Amelia grabbed many of the headlines heading into this weekend’s Amelia Island auction, a 79-year-old Bugatti walked away with the biggest bag of cash. The 1937 Bugatti 57SC Sports Tourer scored a winning bid of $9,735,000 – actually south of pre-auction estimates in the $11-$13 million range – from a private American collector.

While our friends at Carscoops note that there may have been a 1931 Bugatti Royale sold by Christie’s for $9.8 million in the roaring ’80s, the auctioneer claims that this staggering final bid makes this Bugatti SC the most valuable Bugatti ever sold at auction – and the most valuable pre-war car ever sold at Amelia Island. With unique bodywork by British coachbuilder Vanden Plas, this convertible 57SC is the first droptop to go on sale in 17 years, another reason for commanding such a premium.

See its gorgeous sky blue low-profile chassis and supercharged 8-cylinder aluminum engine in action in the video.