“La Voiture Noire” by Bugatti
110 years after its launch, the famous manufacturer has not contented itself with merely delivering a modern version of the “Gran Turismo” spirit, but has instead paid homage to the brand’s esthetics with this stunning reminiscence on Jean Bugatti’s own car.
The allusion to the fourth Atlantic, a black car that disappeared during the Second World War, is officially recognized. Jean Bugatti, eldest son of the firm’s founder, Ettore, was a talented designer, gifted with his own vision of aerodynamics and an innate sense of proportion. Completed shortly before his tragic death in 1939, his most well-known design was the Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupe, a legendary model featuring a surprising riveted seam, a fin running down the vehicle from hood to rear. Four cars were built : three have been found, but not that of Jean Bugatti, the “Black Car” as it is known by connoisseurs. It seemed to have vanished into thin air between Molsheim and Bordeaux when German troops were invading Alsace. Today, Bugatti has challenged fate, bringing back this sublime ebony-coloured car with its six highly characteristic exhaust pipes and 1500 hp delivered by the Chiron’s 16-cylinder engine. The “Voiture Noire” is to cars what “haute couture” is to fashion.
The star of the Geneva Motor Show, evocatively referred to as the world’s most expensive car (a record hitherto held by the Rolls-Royce Sweptail), was acquired by a single owner for the astounding sum of 16.7 million euros. It is said that it now belongs to Ferdinand Piëch, ex-Director of Volkswagen.
