BUGATTI WITH AN ITALIAN TWIST

Although the storied manufacturer remained dormant since 1952, Italian Ferrari dealer Romano Artioli believed that he could return Bugatti to its former glory through the construction of a new supercar. Artioli established Bugatti Automobili SpA in October 1987 and broke ground on a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility the following year in Campogalliano, Italy. It was an ambitious plan, but Artioli was well prepared for such an undertaking, and there was no doubt in anybody’s mind that this new Bugatti would be nothing short of sensational.

Artioli and his crack team of engineers and designers slaved away for four years to create a car that they believed was worthy of the fabled Bugatti name. Their creation was finally unveiled to the world on 15 September 1991 at the Palace of Versailles, in front of the Grand Arche de la Defénse in Paris. In celebration of Ettore Bugatti’s 110th birthday that same day, the car was appropriately named the EB110.

As the EB110 boasted a 3.5-litre V-12 fitted with four turbochargers, it was well equipped to take the fight to the supercar establishment. It certainly didn’t disappoint in terms of looks as well, thanks to angular and aggressive styling penned by Giampalo Bendini and Marcello Gandini. Inside, the cabin was swathed in leather, which beautifully contrasted with its wood trim, giving a nod to the luxurious road cars of Bugatti’s past.

THE EB110 SUPER SPORT

Looking to increase performance even further, Bugatti announced the EB110 SS at the Geneva Salon in 1992, six months after the launch of the EB110 GT. Through fitting a new ECU, along with larger injectors and a less restrictive exhaust system, horsepower was increased from 550 to 603. Bugatti was also able to reduce overall weight through replacing some aluminium panels with carbon fibre, and the EB110 SS tipped the scales at just 3,100 pounds. Thanks to these upgrades and modifications, the EB110 SS boasted a 0–60 mph time of just 3.2 seconds, leading to an incredible top speed of 216 mph.

Despite creating one of the most spectacular supercars the world had ever seen, Artioli’s dream would not see the 21st century. Bugatti went bankrupt in 1995, due to the effects of a worldwide economic recession, and the assets of the company were sold to Jochen Dauer. With a handful of spares at his disposal, Dauer had enough resources to complete an additional 11 production cars before Bugatti closed its doors in Italy for good. Just 139 examples had been produced, including just 33 Super Sports.

THIS SUPER SPORT

Chassis number 39038, built as one of the last EB110 SS examples ever constructed, was finished new in the same unique colour combination it sports today: yellow over a red leather interior. As the only EB110 SS to be finished in this colour combination, it was shipped directly following completion to its first owner, Nicole Racing, which was the official importer of Bugatti in Japan at that time.

Following its departure from Japan, the car returned to Europe, where it was purchased by its second owner. It has remained there ever since, and today, it is presented in stunning original condition, still sporting its original interior and paint. Its odometer shows just over 10,100 kilometres from new, and the car presents incredibly well, clearly having been very well maintained and preserved its entire life. It received a full service in late 2014 and remains ready for the road in every way. Additionally, this EB110 SS also retains a complete set of books and tools. Recently, the car was shown at the Concours d’Elegance at the Techno Classica in Essen earlier this year, where it took home Best of Show honours, which is a testament to its exceptional quality and condition.

The EB 110, representing a unique segment in the fabled marque’s history, was one of the most desirable supercars of the 1990s, and it holds a dear place in the hearts of many enthusiasts. With only 33 Super Sport models produced, they remain the most desirable iterations of the model and, as a result, rarely trade hands. Finding one in a unique colour combination, with a fully documented history and in exceptional, all-original condition, is truly a rare occasion. As such, the unique opportunity to acquire this particular EB110 SS should not be overlooked.