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Details
1992 BUGATTI EB110 GT
Registration No. L389 XLR
Chassis No. ZA9AB01E0PCD39040
Bugatti blue with grey leather interior
Engine: V12, 3,498cc, Quad turbocharged, DOHC, 5 valves per cylinder, 560bhp at 8,000rpm; Gearbox: six speed manual; Suspension: independent front and rear; Brakes: ventilated discs front and rear with ABS. Left hand drive.
The name of one of the greatest motor car manufacturers, Bugatti, virtually disappeared after World War II. A very small quantity of cars from the 101 range were built but the marque had lost its glorious pre-war aura and reputation following Ettore's death in 1947, and that of his natural successor, his son Jean, in a road accident before the war. With the exception of a last but sadly unsuccessful stab at a return to the competition scene with a failed attempt at Grand Prix racing in 1956, the brand fell into disuse for three decades.
In 1989 plans for the revival of Bugatti were presented by Paolo Stanzani of Lamborghini Miura and Countach fame, but, after an internal battle for control of the re-born company, Stanzani abandoned the project in 1990. However the ball was kept rolling and in order to revive the Bugatti name in post war years, a state-of-the-art factory was built in northern Italy in 1991 under the direction of businessman and entrepreneur Romano Artoli. None other than the great Marcello Gandini was chosen as designer, seconded by Gianpaolo Bendini. The EB 110 name was taken from Ettore Bugatti's initials and because the model was to be launched on the 110th anniversary of his birth. Bugatti Automobili S.p.A. defined the new model as 'the revival of the spirit of Modernism which characterised the life of Ettore Bugatti (1881-1947).' The EB110 was duly unveiled on September 15th 1991 (the anniversary of Ettore Bugatti) and with a price tag of £340,000 ownership was ensured to remain exclusive.
In May of 1992 the newly formed company proceeded to homologate the new model which underwent a series of stringent tests at the Nardo test track in southern Italy. Amongst the sensational performance figures achieved by the test cars was a new world record top speed for a homologated production road car, with a speed of 212.5 mph.
The EB110 had been developed in conjunction with Aerospatiale France whose experience in the aircraft industry proved invaluable with the development of the carbon fibre chassis. Their assistance provided a substantial reduction in weight when compared to more traditional techniques, at the same time retaining a very high degree of rigidity. Fitted with permanent 4 wheel drive (73 to the rear wheels and 27 to the front), and Michelin tyres specifically designed and manufactured for the model, it was powered by a brand new V12 engine with four turbochargers and 60 valves which, in GT form, produced 560 bhp from only 3.5 litres. This was enough to hit 60 mph from a standing start in just 3.4 seconds.
Unfortunately in 1995, only four years after its official presentation at the Paris motor show, the dream ended. The revived marque's then customers included now four times F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, who took delivery of a bright yellow 'SS' during his first world championship title year with Benetton.
Compared with other contemporary 'Supercars' the Bugatti EB110 GT defines itself by providing the fortunate owner with an exceptionally fast luxury car. The soft yet supportive leather seats welcome the driver into a spacious environment that offers excellent vision, a fantastic driving position and burr walnut fascia housing a bevy of guages, of course in addition to electric seats, air-conditioning and a CD player.
In total contrast to the sumptuously tempting interior is the savage performance of the EB110. An early road test reporter for Car magazine noted 'Pilots being catapulted from aircraft carriers must be used to this sensation, but this takes road car thrust into a new dimension. The Bugatti slams you into the backrest and pins you there'. The EB110 is such a reassuring car to drive, the presence of 4 wheel drive inspires supreme confidence and it really is possible to use full acceleration in the lower gears. Furthermore the power delivery is amazing; the first turbo comes in at 3,500rpm and the other three are staggered through the rev range ensuring a constant surging of power rather than keeping all the fun merely to the higher regions of the rev limit.
When Bugatti Automobili SpA went bankrupt and production halted in 1995, the factory had produced just 108 EB110 GT models (including 13 prototypes) thus ensuring their rarity forever.
This example was originally supplied in metallic silver, but it would appear that the first owner had a change of heart and had the car repainted Bugatti blue. Its appearance is further enhanced by the Supersport's seven-spoke wheels, which were offered as an option by the factory. Currently in its second ownership, this car was first registered in January 1992, and was imported into the UK in April 2003 having previously been kept in Los Angeles. It has seen limited use throughout its life (the odometer reading of less than 9,500kms attests to this), despite which it has been professionally maintained and serviced throughout, most recently by high performance specialists Eurosportscars.
During the summer of 2003, the paintwork was renewed by noted specialists Moto Technique, and the suspension was overhauled by DK Engineering. A full service was completed in April 2004, during which a few minor adjustments were made to the fuel system and the turbos to ensure fully correct working order. The interior is upholstered in pale grey leather with walnut dash and is in good condition, although the leather does show a few small scuffs not unusual for a car whose ingress and egress are more than normally complicated. In general this car is well presented, and represents an ideal opportunity for a collector or enthusiast to acquire a benchmark of the supercar world, a car that combines show-stopping looks with startling performance and an exclusivity that rivals McLaren's F1.
Registration No. L389 XLR
Chassis No. ZA9AB01E0PCD39040
Bugatti blue with grey leather interior
Engine: V12, 3,498cc, Quad turbocharged, DOHC, 5 valves per cylinder, 560bhp at 8,000rpm; Gearbox: six speed manual; Suspension: independent front and rear; Brakes: ventilated discs front and rear with ABS. Left hand drive.
The name of one of the greatest motor car manufacturers, Bugatti, virtually disappeared after World War II. A very small quantity of cars from the 101 range were built but the marque had lost its glorious pre-war aura and reputation following Ettore's death in 1947, and that of his natural successor, his son Jean, in a road accident before the war. With the exception of a last but sadly unsuccessful stab at a return to the competition scene with a failed attempt at Grand Prix racing in 1956, the brand fell into disuse for three decades.
In 1989 plans for the revival of Bugatti were presented by Paolo Stanzani of Lamborghini Miura and Countach fame, but, after an internal battle for control of the re-born company, Stanzani abandoned the project in 1990. However the ball was kept rolling and in order to revive the Bugatti name in post war years, a state-of-the-art factory was built in northern Italy in 1991 under the direction of businessman and entrepreneur Romano Artoli. None other than the great Marcello Gandini was chosen as designer, seconded by Gianpaolo Bendini. The EB 110 name was taken from Ettore Bugatti's initials and because the model was to be launched on the 110th anniversary of his birth. Bugatti Automobili S.p.A. defined the new model as 'the revival of the spirit of Modernism which characterised the life of Ettore Bugatti (1881-1947).' The EB110 was duly unveiled on September 15th 1991 (the anniversary of Ettore Bugatti) and with a price tag of £340,000 ownership was ensured to remain exclusive.
In May of 1992 the newly formed company proceeded to homologate the new model which underwent a series of stringent tests at the Nardo test track in southern Italy. Amongst the sensational performance figures achieved by the test cars was a new world record top speed for a homologated production road car, with a speed of 212.5 mph.
The EB110 had been developed in conjunction with Aerospatiale France whose experience in the aircraft industry proved invaluable with the development of the carbon fibre chassis. Their assistance provided a substantial reduction in weight when compared to more traditional techniques, at the same time retaining a very high degree of rigidity. Fitted with permanent 4 wheel drive (73 to the rear wheels and 27 to the front), and Michelin tyres specifically designed and manufactured for the model, it was powered by a brand new V12 engine with four turbochargers and 60 valves which, in GT form, produced 560 bhp from only 3.5 litres. This was enough to hit 60 mph from a standing start in just 3.4 seconds.
Unfortunately in 1995, only four years after its official presentation at the Paris motor show, the dream ended. The revived marque's then customers included now four times F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, who took delivery of a bright yellow 'SS' during his first world championship title year with Benetton.
Compared with other contemporary 'Supercars' the Bugatti EB110 GT defines itself by providing the fortunate owner with an exceptionally fast luxury car. The soft yet supportive leather seats welcome the driver into a spacious environment that offers excellent vision, a fantastic driving position and burr walnut fascia housing a bevy of guages, of course in addition to electric seats, air-conditioning and a CD player.
In total contrast to the sumptuously tempting interior is the savage performance of the EB110. An early road test reporter for Car magazine noted 'Pilots being catapulted from aircraft carriers must be used to this sensation, but this takes road car thrust into a new dimension. The Bugatti slams you into the backrest and pins you there'. The EB110 is such a reassuring car to drive, the presence of 4 wheel drive inspires supreme confidence and it really is possible to use full acceleration in the lower gears. Furthermore the power delivery is amazing; the first turbo comes in at 3,500rpm and the other three are staggered through the rev range ensuring a constant surging of power rather than keeping all the fun merely to the higher regions of the rev limit.
When Bugatti Automobili SpA went bankrupt and production halted in 1995, the factory had produced just 108 EB110 GT models (including 13 prototypes) thus ensuring their rarity forever.
This example was originally supplied in metallic silver, but it would appear that the first owner had a change of heart and had the car repainted Bugatti blue. Its appearance is further enhanced by the Supersport's seven-spoke wheels, which were offered as an option by the factory. Currently in its second ownership, this car was first registered in January 1992, and was imported into the UK in April 2003 having previously been kept in Los Angeles. It has seen limited use throughout its life (the odometer reading of less than 9,500kms attests to this), despite which it has been professionally maintained and serviced throughout, most recently by high performance specialists Eurosportscars.
During the summer of 2003, the paintwork was renewed by noted specialists Moto Technique, and the suspension was overhauled by DK Engineering. A full service was completed in April 2004, during which a few minor adjustments were made to the fuel system and the turbos to ensure fully correct working order. The interior is upholstered in pale grey leather with walnut dash and is in good condition, although the leather does show a few small scuffs not unusual for a car whose ingress and egress are more than normally complicated. In general this car is well presented, and represents an ideal opportunity for a collector or enthusiast to acquire a benchmark of the supercar world, a car that combines show-stopping looks with startling performance and an exclusivity that rivals McLaren's F1.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.