The Bugatti Type 57 was displayed at the 1934 Paris Automobile Salon where it was a highlight of the event. The car was created as a replacement for the Type 49. The Type 57 was powered by a 3257cc engine that had a 72mm bore and a 100mm stroke. There was a multi-plate clutch and a four-speed manual gearbox. The car rode on semi-elliptic leaf springs in the front and quarter-ecliptics in the rear.

Improvements were made to the series during its lifespan, including hydraulic brakes in 1938. Sporting derivates included the 57S and the supercharged 57C.

From the factory, bodies came in the style of Ventoux, Galibier, and Atalante Coupes. Gangloff was tasked with creating the Stelvio Coupes. The Ventoux body style had two-doors and in 2 2 configuration. The interior was art-deco and the front had a raked windshield. The body was aerodynamic, and many of the features followed this form. The headlamps were built into the rounded, flowing fenders and there was a long and louvered bonnet.