Poetry In Motion
The 1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic
Price: $30 - $40 million
Sold by: Gooding and Co.
Year of Sale: 2010
After being sold at an auction in California for about $30 million, this sleek, curved vintage Bugatti became
one of the world’s most expensive cars. Widely known for being one of
only three of its kind ever produced, the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC
Atlantic is also praised for its art-deco elegance. Considered to be
highly avant garde, this particular car came on the market following the
death of its owner, Peter Williamson, a well known car collector and a
neurologist.
As a child I had a saying I often used "Poetry In Motion" Is
what I would say whenever I saw true beauty. It had a very broad range
of definition from a beautiful woman as she walked totally unaware of
the secret admiration to a magnificent one of a kind piece of
Architecture such as the Chrysler Building. At such a young point in life the world seemed to be overflowing with it and I express it in my own way, beauty I learned as well how to respect and appreciate the way others expressed it as well. As I have grown the meaning of course in my own perception has changed, evolved and hopefully matured at little to say the least. As the saying goes "Life has happened!" and I just don't see the beauty as I once used to. I never once said it was no longer there I myself could simply not be looking hard enough. I mean we all know as we grow and mature the "Scales of Thor" seem to slide more towards reality and push our hopes and dreams further seemingly out of reach. At least they did to me, so it seems. But then one day I was told to spend at least 10 Million Dollars on a car. The money needed to be converted into an investment and I was given the honor. I went out to the West Coast and hung out looking and listening on what I could and should be privy to. Then I stumbled into into some information that placed me in very exquisite "invitation only" style auction. Upon my admittance I was struck on first impression with something that would forever change my life. As I saw it sitting there alone immaculate, priceless. I knew this was something special. I had never seen this vehicle nor heard of ever which was quite surprising. there just was no time for emotion even though they were present. Walked up to this car and as I came closer all of the emotions poured out, it was 8th grade all over again and I had to find a date for the dance in the Gym! It identified itself as The 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. All at once the true definition returned, this was truly "Poetry In Motion" even as it sat perfectly still. I remember thinking in terms of the true definition of the word automobile this was it! I stood there looking at it trying largely unsuccessfully to control the emotions that wouldn't stop, De Ja Vu as I remembered vividly the smell of the flowers on the way home from school. I looked at this vehicle out of admiration wondering how could anyone express such unadulterated beauty in a single machine, without showing a single flaw? I tried hard to look for a time frame an era a popular design or feature maybe from an era known for such expertise. Nothing it was timeless. I had absolutely no way of telling what Century this machine as created in it was perfect it lent no hints or clue as to what where or when it ever came into existence. I began to remember all over again how much I loved to seek out beauty in such a carefree unbiased way. I could immediately relate some of my deepest Poems some of my most beautiful Poetry to this priceless machine. I could relate to the same artistic vision as the creator of this masterpiece. Because simply put this is honestly Poetry In Motion.
