Bugatti 57C Shah of Iran: Rare Royal One-Off from 1939

Royal Craftsmanship - Long before today’s automotive giants began blending performance with elegance, a few legendary names had already perfected that rare harmony between art and engineering. Bugatti—a marque synonymous with beauty and innovation—cemented its legacy not only through race-winning machines but also through elegant, custom-built creations designed for royalty and the elite. We previously explored the Bugatti Brown, a remarkable model crafted by the Anglo-French artist James-Jacques Brown. 

1939 Bugatti 57C Shah of Iran was a two-seater cabriolet of substantial proportion and extravagant art-deco styles, is commissioned by French government as a wedding gift to the Prince Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the soon-to-be Shah of Iran at the time. (Picture from: Tehran Times)

Now, we turn our attention to another equally stunning classic that shares the same legendary Bugatti Type 57C chassis. Among all the masterpieces born from this iconic platform, one model stands out—not just for its rarity, but for the extraordinary story behind its creation. This is the tale of the 1939 Bugatti 57C Shah of Iran, a car built not simply to impress, but to embody diplomacy, prestige, and exceptional design during a time when the world teetered on the edge of war.

 

Bugatti’s legacy started in 1909 with the vision of Ettore Bugatti, an Italian-born designer who founded the company in Molsheim, then part of the German Empire. Over the decades, Bugatti produced vehicles that dazzled both the racing circuits and the boulevards of Europe. From the nimble Type 35 that dominated Grand Prix tracks, to the opulent Type 41 “Royale” reserved for heads of state, Bugatti consistently merged technical brilliance with artistic flair. One of its most celebrated platforms, the Type 57, served as the canvas for many coachbuilders, each commissioned to sculpt metal into rolling masterpieces for wealthy patrons.

1939 Bugatti 57C Shah of Iran is bodied by the Carrosserie Vanvooren of Paris in the Figoni et Falaschi bodywork dramatic style. (Picture from: Supercars)

But unlike most Bugattis, which were privately ordered, the 1939 Bugatti 57C Shah of Iran was born from a political gesture. At the time, Prince Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was engaged to marry Princess Fawzia of Egypt, an event seen as a pivotal diplomatic union between two powerful Middle Eastern nations. Sensing the importance of the moment—and perhaps an opportunity to showcase French craftsmanship on a global stage—the French government commissioned the car as an official wedding gift for the young prince. This wasn't merely a luxury vehicle; it was a diplomatic envoy forged in steel, leather, and chrome.

1939 Bugatti 57C Shah of Iran has several unusual features such a very short windscreen which could be wound down into the bulkhead and a disappearing top which was concealed by a panel behind the interior. (Picture from: Pinterest)

To bring this ambitious project to life, Bugatti offered its finest Type 57C chassis, known for its supercharged 3.3-liter engine producing around 175 horsepower—a remarkable feat for the era. For the body, they turned to Carrosserie Vanvooren, a progressive coachbuilder based in Paris, who styled the vehicle in the spirit of Figoni et Falaschi’s flamboyant art deco lines. What emerged was a bold two-seater cabriolet, characterized by flowing fenders, an elegantly recessed roof, and a dramatically short windshield that could retract completely into the bodywork. Behind the passenger compartment, a hidden panel concealed the disappearing soft top—an advanced design even by today’s standards.

1939 Bugatti 57C Shah of Iran uses a 324 cc supercharger Bugatti's engine able to spew an impressive power of 175 horsepower. (Picture from: FavCars.com)

Despite its beauty and engineering brilliance, the car’s practical use in Iran was limited. The country’s roads in the 1940s were far from accommodating for such a low-slung, high-performance machine. While some believe the Shah barely used the car, other reports suggest it left Iran as early as 1959. In fact, a different narrative surfaced decades later, claiming the car was sold off for a nominal sum to Houshang Jalili, an Iranian man who rescued it from obscurity and eventually moved it abroad.

The magnificent 1939 Bugatti Type 57C was given to the Shah of Iran as a wedding present and now resides in the Petersen Museum. (Picture from: RevInstitute)

Amid political upheaval during the Iranian Revolution of 1979, many royal possessions were lost, sold, or destroyed. Rumors circulated that the Bugatti 57C Shah of Iran was nearly scrapped. However, Iranian media in 2020 dismissed this version, stating that the car had been outside Iran long before the revolution, distancing it from the turmoil that reshaped the country's future. Whatever the exact timeline, what’s certain is that the car changed hands multiple times and fell into disrepair—at one point heavily modified with an American V8 engine to suit more mainstream tastes.

Salvation came in the form of a meticulous restoration carried out in England by Rod Jolly Coachbuilding and Bugatti specialist Louis Giron. They restored the vehicle to its original grandeur, preserving not only its design but also a subtle touch of its past—an Iranian license plate hinting at its royal provenance. The restoration was so successful that the car was later auctioned for an impressive $1.76 million, a fitting price for a vehicle that had survived neglect, modification, and the passage of time.

Today, this remarkable Bugatti rests among automotive royalty at the Petersen Automotive Museum in California, where it stands as both a historical artifact and a symbol of the era in which it was created. It represents more than automotive excellence—it tells a story of international diplomacy, craftsmanship, and the lasting legacy of a carmaker that dared to mix elegance with engineering brilliance. In a world that often forgets the stories behind machines, the 1939 Bugatti 57C Shah of Iran reminds us that sometimes, a car is more than just a car—it’s a piece of living history. *** [EKA [10032021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS | TEHRANTIMES | ]

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