Forgotten V12 Bugatti supercar could be yours (for a price)

Matthew Hansen
  • Sign in required

    Please sign in to your account to add a vehicle to favourite

  • Share this article

Photos / Girardo & Co

Ask any internet-based car 'expert' about what their favourite Bugatti is, and the majority are certain to holler 'Veyron' or 'Chiron'.

The Veyron in particular was the car that took the manufacturer into the mainstream, with its long list of eye-watering performance figures and a 407km/h top speed that reset the world record at the time. New models with more go-faster bits — like the Veyron Super Sport — increased that benchmark incrementally over time, in turn helping usher in a new era in hyper-car insanity.

But, spare a thought for the Bugatti EB 110.

As the Veyron and Chiron dazzled with their incredible numbers, the EB 110's impact as one of the best supercars of the '90s has been minimised into the background.

It debuted in 1991 sporting all sorts of advancements in engineering that were revolutionary for the period. The monocoque chassis was formed out of carbon-fibre, and it featured active aero — an element only now becoming standard far in the supercar realm.

Under the rear clam-shell was a 60-valve, quad-turbo 3.5-litre V12 engine capable of making 412kW in its base form, sending power to all four wheels. And like many supercars of the time, the EB 110 came exclusively with a manual gearbox.

The race to 100km/h was said to be over in just 3.6 seconds (very quick for 1991), with 200km/h knocked off in 14 second flat. Independent tests showed a top speed of 336km/h.

These numbers, however, only concern the foundation 'GT' EB 110 model. Those who wanted even more pace could also get the EB 110 SS — or Super Sport (or Sport Stradale). These came with, among other changes, 150kg of weight savings, a new ECU, larger injectors for the V12 engine, and a more free exhaust set-up. 

The result after these changes was 450kW at 8250rpm, 650Nm at 4200rpm, a 0–100km/h time of 3.26 seconds, and a top speed of 355km/h. It was the fastest production car in the world ... until it got obliterated by the McLaren F1 that is. 

Anyway, a very special example of the once hallowed EB 110 SS is up for sale.

Apart from being incredibly immaculate inside and out, this EB 110 SS is special for one big reason. It, chassis number 39040 as ordered in February 1995, is claimed to be the last ever EB 110 built by Bugatti before the company was struck by bankruptcy. 

That 'built by Bugatti' bit is significant because other EB 110s were built after that bankruptcy ... but by a companies called Dauer Sportwagen and Toscana Motors. 

Pricing for this EB 110 SS isn't specified by sellers Girardo & Co in London, other than it being POA. But we can assume that they will be asking for a price-tag well into the millions. For reference, a similar example (albeit with a less sought after chassis number) sold at RM Sotheby's auction early last year for €1,152,500 — or almost $2million.

"In April 1997, Bugatti Automobili S.p.A’s creditors auctioned [the Bugatti] with a company based in Luxembourg buying [it], displaying a mere 300kms," says the seller.

"The car remained in this ownership until 2003, at which point it was serviced and noted as displaying only 1,130 kms, being sold to its current Italian owner. Registered on Italian license ‘CF 583 ND’, the car was featured in EVO Magazine, alongside the famed B Engineering Edonis in April 2005. In 2015, this car was serviced with new engine oil, oil filter, gearbox oil, differential oil, brake fluid and air filters.

"Today, this low-mileage, single private-owner Bugatti EB110 SS represents an ultra-rare opportunity to obtain one of the most coveted supercars of all time. Genuinely useable, the silky-smooth V12-powered EB110 SS is a superbly honed machine, still offering stunning performance."

Gallery

Keep up to date with DRIVEN Car Guide

Sign up for the latest news, reviews, our favourite cars and more.

By signing up for this newsletter, you agree to NZME's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.