Digital artist, Abimelec Arellano, gives the world the coolest Bugatti Type 57 render to look at, and for hot rod fans to say “Take my money.”
Bugatti makes ridiculously fast hypercars like the 2022 Bugatti Chiron and its many derivatives, but a look back at their classic cars proves where all the style and luxury came from. These rare exotics, vintage or modern, combine the characteristics of luxury cars and performance cars – and even a model as old as a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic reflects the French automaker’s passion for manufacturing limited-edition cars.
The Atlantic is an icon, and this elegant coupe carries its uniqueness from the past into the future as well. You could still call it among the most lavish sports cars built for the collector – and till today, it serves as an inspiration for all the modern Bugatti models, like the Chiron Profilee and the Mistral Roadster. However, what you’re looking at is the work of a digital artist; a 3D render of the Type 57 re-imagined as a hot rod – and not just any hot rod, but one packing a monstrosity of an American engine.
Bugatti Atlantic With Hot Rod Appeal Is Bliss
A close look at these images wouldn’t have you believe this is a digital render, but that’s exactly what it is; and we’ve got to hand it to Abimelec Arellano for what is pure art. The original shape of the car remains, which is beautiful by itself, but rough paint work along with the rusted areas tell you this is not “your average Bugatti Atlantic”. The hot rod look stares you in the eye, and if this thing was real, we’d say “Take our money!”.
The exotic look hasn’t been lost; in fact, the ‘ratty’ design elements further add to the appeal of this classic. The wheels continue to stand apart from the body, while the long hood on the original car has been deleted on the hot rod render, and instead – features a glistening, chrome-heavy Hemi V8 with a supercharger protruding upwards. The absence of a hood exposes the beautiful details of the American muscle car engine.
The length of the Type 57 SC Atlantic doesn’t seem to have been touched, which means it remains at 3700 mm. The tail section is utterly gorgeous, sporting a sloping rear that ends in an oval shape – and it almost seems like it’s touching the floor. The signature design that includes the raised seam doesn’t start from the hood, but instead from the windshield, giving it a split-glass look, while it flows over the roof and down to the tail. This design stands out particularly because it looks like it divides the body. Also, new on this hot rod render are the side-exit chrome exhausts jutting out from behind the beautifully curved front fenders, because the original 57 Atlantic gets six slim tailpipes sticking out from the rear. Most of the rivets that hold the split metal panels intact have been given a rusted look. The body-color-matching steel wheels look perfect, and are wrapped in vintage white-wall Firestone bias ply tires. Arellano also mentions that his hot rod render features custom Ford Model A front suspension.
The shut lines of both doors are visible on the roof; this was designed to give more room to enter and exit the low-slung coupe, and the bullet-shaped cowl headlights are not inspired by the first two Atlantics that were made, but the other two that followed. Proportions of this kind were unseen in those years, and still drop jaws in the modern era.
Bugatti Type 57 Is Powered By American Muscle
The digital artist is a stickler for gleaming Hemi V8 engines, which is why you see one – and we have to admit he’s nailed it in terms of the look. It would be fitting if it used the same 7.0-liter Hemi V8, paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission from the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda. Without the over-sized supercharger, the engine is capable of pushing out 425hp. While the loud, towering supercharger seems cool, the original Type 57 Atlantic was powered by an almost silent 3.3-liter straight-eight producing 197hp, allowing it to reach top speed of 124 mph – and this was at a time when horse-drawn carriages were still around.
Bugatti Render Keeps Interior Original But Colorful
The steering, dashboard and inner lining of the windshield are all finished in premium wood. There are two large central dials and plenty of other smaller gauges. A lot of controls get a metal finish, like the tiny toggle switches, and the gear stick, while the knob is a glossy, wooden ball. It’s obviously a manual, but this could possibly be turned into an automatic by a seasoned drivetrain technician. The Mexican Sarape upholstery on the seats and door cards have rainbow colors, reminding us of the Mini Paul Smith’s exterior.
How Much The 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Is Worth
According to classic.com, the average price of a Bugatti Type 57 is $1.6 million, while the highest price listed is $10.4 million for a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante that sold five months ago. Only four Type 57SC Atlantics were made between 1936 and 1938.
Sources: Bugatti, Abimelec Design Via Instagram, classic.com
