Can’t Afford the Veyron? Try the Bugatti Collection
To all Bugatti enthusiasts, you’re in for a treat. This is for the people who love the idea of having a Veyron in his/her garage but simply couldn’t afford one. No, the price of the Veyron didn’t go down, and it’s still the car for the madly rich. But hey, this might cheer you up. Bugatti has opened a collection of luxury goods and products. Yeah, you heard it. One of the most fancied car brands has launched the Bugatti Collection. These products are distinguished by “muted colors and an elegant design.” And they are available online!
Don’t expect Levis-like jeans or watches ala-Rolex because its line at launch is a bit limited. Just like their car models, they probably want their product line to be worn and used by a chosen few. The Bugatti Collection offers a number of items from jackets, polo shirts, caps to keychains and wallets. They even have a weekender bag. Of course, these products sport the patented Ettore Bugatti emblem for exclusivity and distinctiveness.
Well, you probably know that these products aren’t cheap ones so don’t expect to have Ross-like rates. This isn’t Salvation Army either. These collection targets the ultra rich consumer base. But hey, spending a thousand bucks for a wallet can be better than just dreaming of having that Veyron.
Imagine wearing that dapper leather jacket and carrying that fabulous Bugatti umbrella on a drizzly day in the streets. Wouldn’t that be nice? You’ll surely be mistaken as a member of Oceans 13, or something like that. Truly, this collection would attract a good number of interested buyers. With its product line and apparel, people would feel the Bugatti experience even though they still haven’t stepped into that prized automobile. That’s a far cry, of course. But if you’re a real enthusiast, you would surely get one of these.
The Day when the Veyron and the GTB went at it
If you think that you’ll never see two speed demons zooming past each other outside the racetrack, well, this news might change your mind. In the M27 highways in the United Kingdom, startled witnesses were amazed to have seen the 253mph Bugatti Veyron and the 205mph 12-cylinder Ferrari 599 GTB jockeying for position at crazy speeds. Talking about crazy, just seeing 599 GTB can already make your day. Seeing the Veyron on the road can already make you loose some sleep. But seeing both? Now that’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Apparently, a couple of fellas were trying to find out which car would outdo the other. The highway police in a BMW Patrol Car were in hot pursuit while the shocked motorists and other drivers couldn’t believe what just zoomed past them. Honestly, who wouldn’t be started? After following velocities of at least 140 mpg in the speedy chase, the driver of the Veyron eventually pulled over while the Ferrari rocketed into the distance and got away.
The Bugatti driver was officially clocked by the police going a mere 97 mph. Not bad considering that it could’ve been more if the chase went down the wire. The driver was given three penalty points and a fixed fine of £60. Imagine if this happened in the states. Imagine the hefty fine, all the publicity and the media frenzy. Needless to say, the outcome would’ve been much different. As dangerous as it was, the entertainment factor was definitely a 10.
All Hail the Bugatti Royale
Class, Distinction, Luxury. All those words typifies the storied tradition of the Bugatti Royale. Designed and styled in 1932 by Jean Bugatti himself, he knew this car was something for the ages. The first Bugatti Royale, or type 41, was one of the most extreme luxury cars ever built.
When the company was already getting recognition in the automotive industry premier car manufacturers in the 1920’s, Jean Bugatti still had his sights on building the ultimate car. The creative and flamboyant Bugatti wanted to build a car so gorgeous and so fine that it would never have to be replaced by its owner. This car would feature a radiator cap with a statue of a performing elephant which just shows how upper-classy this automobile is.
That storied vehicle would be called the Royale. The name was given to basically highlight its superiority to the other cars and cater to the rich and famous, and among the few that could afford to buy the car was King Alphonso XIII of Spain. Its engine would be the most powerful one ever installed in an automobile at that time. Jean had convinced his father Ettore on the upsides of using overhead camshafts and multiple valves, so the new car was equipped with this engineering masterpiece. The Royale came out in the deepest part of the Depression. Nonetheless, it was a work of art.
The car itself was as glorious as the engine. Overall length was 232 inches, wheelbase was 169 inches or 6.4m and the car’s weight was a staggering 3175kg or around 7000-7500 pounds. It used a humungous 12.7 liter straight-8 engine. The cooling system held 15 gallons; the crankcase held 5 gallons and the brake drum diameters were 18 inches. Inside, the appointments were made of the finest materials available and the dash, while simple compared with today, was set in fine walnut. Its cast “Roue Royale” wheels measured 610 mm (24 inches) in diameter. All six production Royale’s still exist (the prototype was destroyed in an accident in 1931), and each has a different body, some having been re-bodied several times.
Between 1926 and 1932, only 5 Royales were made excluding its prototype. One of which broke the world record by changing hands at US$9.8 million in 1987, which was only eclipsed by Ferrari 250GTO later. The word going aroun this 1931 Bugatti Royale was sold in early June for $17 million, thus making it the priciest automobile in history.
The six Royales still exist in various collections. The most famous of these is car # 6, the Berline de Voyage. It was originally bought by Briggs Cunningham and eventually found its way, in 1985, to Tom Monaghan of Domino Pizza fame for the reported sum of $8,100,000. It now is in the hands of a Korean investor.
So the question is: Is the Bugatti Royale the finest car ever constructed? We will never know and that’s an impossible question to answer. But definitely, for its time Royale was the finest and grandest, not to mention one of the most expensive. Up until now, it is still legendary. It is a car that we can only dream of ever driving. Only the richest can afford it, thus the name.
Bugatti Veyron: Outrageous!
Some months ago, Bugatti unveiled its latest edition of its fancied super car, the 2008 Veyron. For auto enthusiasts, this is definitely a dream come true. Just by looking at it, you can definitely say that this automobile is ahead of its time. Most car drivers would crave to get their hands on this baby even for just a one and done deal. It is powered by a rare 16-cylinder “W” configuration engine that can produce 1001 horse power. You would know that its manufacturers really wanted to emphasize the power of this beast that’s why they even added an extra horse power on top the thousand to separate itself from the rest.
The Bugatti Veyron is basically a car built around a huge engine. It is powered by four turbochargers and features 64 valves. Its engine draws a staggering 8-liter displacement to give out a maximum torque of 1250 Newton-meters between 2200 and 550rpm. With regards to the braking power, the carbon-fiber discs provide a break pressure of up to 180 bars complemented with 8-piston monobloc calipers. Step on the brake pedals while you’re speeding above 400km/h and with the help of its rear wing airbrakes, this monster will be in a complete halt in less than 10 seconds.
Its exterior definitely exudes an ultra-modern aerodynamic look. An F-1 car travel at 250 mph or more, but their body design is quite different. Just picture a single driver lying in a slanting position, just an inch or so of ground clearance and an aero-package made up of large wings to generate massive down force. The Bugatti, on the other hand, is trying to look like a normal car and seat two passengers. Even the tires are out of this world. Michelin manufactured these specialized wheels that can handle a speed of 250mph. Its interior screams out lavishness as almost all interior components are buried in leather trimmings. Only the components that are made in metal aren’t covered in leather, which gives you a very elegant ambience inside the vehicle.
Advanced technological hardware and surprisingly easy driving characteristics make the Veyron obedient enough to tackle public roads with ease. Yes it is expensive, ranging from at least $1.5-1.9 million dollars, and we’re not even talking about the gas here. But you can’t deny that it is undeniably one fast son of a gun. And oh, when TheStreet released its Top 10 Most Outrageous Cars of 2008, you don’t have to guess which Bugatti model was there.
“Feeling the Road”
Bugatti owners know that the other best part of owning a Bugatti is actually driving a Bugatti. The Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. also knows this. And to heighten the consciousness every Bugatti driver feels, the company has introduced lessons geared towards “Feeling the Road.” Yes, Bugatti owners now have the opportunity to learn how to respond in critical situations such as high-speed racing and driving thru heavy rain. And to enthuse Veyron owners a little bit more, students of the said program would train with no other than Bugatti official pilot, Pierre-Henri Raphanel. For those not familiar with the legacy, Raphanel was a former Formula One racer before joining the Bugatti brand.
The classes will take a whole day or some 300 kilometers. It would be held on the magnificent Anneau du Rhin track in Colmar, France. The track is alongside one of most stunning French wine route, positively adding to the already striking experience.
Scholars of the said programs will undergo a discussion on the Bugatti beast Veyron 16.4 from Rapahnel himself. This would be followed by a one-on-one crash course on the nature of racetrack driving. The course includes lessons on full acceleration, maneuvering and slalom (zigzagging between obstacles). These lessons would be carried out under different tarmac conditions. The program will even use artificial rain to effectively simulate the stipulation. After mastering these lessons, drivers could then proceed to a smaller track where they could practice in private. The training will be capped by an adrenaline pumping high-speed race on the larger track.
Participants of the exclusive event would then be debriefed and presented with certificates. Partakers who haven’t had enough of the training could also dine with Raphanel, with the possible opportunity of engage him in a discussion on the day’s experience.
Accommodations for possible participants could be arranged by Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.. Fans of the brand opting for a more nostalgic inducing experience could also visit Bugatti’s first factory in Molsheim. The experience is limited to individual basis. Interested Veyron owners could contact Bugatti thru their e-mail: contact@bugatti.com
Bugatti Extends Warranty Coverage
Bugatti has recently introduced a more comprehensive additional warranty that covers up to four years after delivery. The optional warranty program does not only cover the mechanical and electrical parts, it also extends to the vehicle’s body. The warranty even includes the paintwork and a guarantee against rust through out the entire car.In case of mechanical or electrical failure, the extended Bugatti warranty will provide for the delivery of the replacement part/s anywhere in the world. Another noteworthy clause in the warranty states that in case of technical breakdown, Bugatti ensures that the driver will still reach his/her destination. It also guarantees immediate breakdown services i.e. towing fee to the nearest Bugatti service partner. The owner of the Bugatti ride would then be provided a temporary replacement vehicle of standard to the equally worthy Audi A8.
And finally there is the “anti-inconvenience check” that is supposedly aimed to minimize the owners discomfort upon Bugatti breakdown. The check can be used to pay for expenses resulting from the breakdown like hotel and travel accommodations. Also, the clause doesn’t require the owner to produce receipts.
To accommodate any Bugatti breakdown problem, the company set up a 24/7 customer care hotline. The operations of this contact centers are personally managed by a Bugatti customer service personnel. In the event of a Bugatti being sold, warranty could be transferred to new owner. However, only specific Bugatti models are covered in the extended warranty.
Bugatti Model T57 Up for Auction
Notoriously known as the “Tank,” a very rare Bugatti Model T 57 will be up for auction this coming January 18. The Model 57 is the epitome of Bugatti’s dedication to beauty and performance. The auction is organized by RM Auctions, known auctioneer of classic and rare rides.
The Tank that they are offering has a chassis number 57440. It has the engine 328 mounted on it with a Stelvio coachwork design. The Stelvio design was presented with the model 57 through out its production from 1934 to 1939. The Tank they are offering has an invoice dated October 17, 1936 to a M. Garnier. It is also speculated that the car was eventually owned by famous Bugatti historian, and collector, Hugh Conway.
The organizers of the auction claim that the T 57 they are offering “had benefited from comprehensive mechanical restoration.” To be specific, the engine in the up-for-grabs tank has the trademark Bugatti double overhead camshaft. There are modifications, however. For example, the gearing of the engine was moved to the rear. The previous owner has installed a traditional clutch and transmission system. The restored engine, as the auctioneer claims, would provide “more power, less noise, reduced vibration, and improved reliability and durability.”
The car interior was also restored, although it is claimed that the original fitting made of dark tan leather is still there. New paint, chrome and top also grace this model 57. The Tank that is auctioned has a “subtle” pin stripping motif which compliments the dark purple tone. The seats are still presentable despite evidence of old age.
The running price for the 1937 Bugatti T57 Stelvio is $450,000 – $550,000. The Tank will have a lot number of 181. Interested parties should contact RM Auctions for more details.
Specifications:
135hp
3,257 cc
twin-cam inline eight-cylinder engine
semi-elliptic leaf spring front suspension
quarter elliptic leaf spring rear suspension
four-wheel mechanical brakes
Wheelbase: 3,300mm
Five to Envy
There are probably only five lucky persons in this world. And those five are probably driving a two-tone carbon and aluminum themed Bugatti. Yes, these significant few have managed to get their hands on one of the most exclusive cars in the world today – the Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang. The Pur Sang (French for “Pure Blood”) is the latest Veyron modification released by Bugatti under Volkswagen AG.
The Pur Sang still follow the traditional Bugatti dual-tone theme. The only difference, however, is that the Pur Sang isn’t painted. The two tones compromise of pure, unadulterated aluminum alloy and dark, solid carbon fiber monocoque. No paint touched this ride. This dark and light theme is evident even in the interiors. Of course, we could expect nothing less than perfection from the craftsmanship involved in the details of the Pure Blood.
Aesthetics isn’t the only significant modification in the Veyron Pur Sang. Volkwagen opted to reduce the original Veyron weight in the Pur Sang version. Pure Bloods weigh in at 1,888 kg, 90 kg lighter than the template. However, the reduction in weight took its toll on the acceleration. The 2.5 second run to 60 mph isn’t possible with the Pur Sang.
Having made only five cars, the Pur Sang was sold out in less than 24 hours after it was first revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Pur Sang’s going rate was said to be 950,000 liras or 1.4 million euros. Alas, we could only wonder how it feels to handle a Pure Blood.
Jealousy is both reasonable and belongs to reasonable men, while envy is base and belongs to the base, for the one makes himself get good things by jealousy, while the other does not allow his neighbour to have them through envy.
-Aristotle, The Art of Rhetoric, sect. 6, ch. 2.11.
In Retrospect (2nd of 2 parts)
Here is the contunition of the Bugatti timeline. This section covers the post World War I Bugatti ventures to the death of “Le Patron.”
1921- 1923 – Bugatti enjoyed numerous success in the race track. Bugatti headed the Voiturettes Grand Prix in Brescia in 1921. The Bugatti Model 13 was forever etched in racing history. And to commemorate this success, every 16 valve Bugati engine carried the Brescia name. In 1923 Bugatti introduced yet another revolutionary car design. The Tank has a blade profile covered wheels for its short covered wheel base. This 8 cylinder beauty finished third in the race.
1924 – The Model 35, considered the most successful racing car of all time was introduced to the market. Ettore opted to go traditional for the 35, offering customers a more striking racer. The 35 is also the first car to run on the now famous aluminum hoop-spoked wheels.
1927 – Ettore realized his dream of building the most luxurious car ever with the Royale. Unfortunately, luxury wasn’t an option for most of the public during the Great Depression. The unit only sold three models sending Bugatti to shaky financial grounds.
1932 – 1934 – Ettore proved himself a genius by adapting the precisely superior Royale engine to high speed trains. The French government was again pleased with Bugatti. Royalties from the endeavor helped stabilize the company’s dangerous financial standing. Bugatti had its last production success with the Model 57.
1937 – Bugatti drivers Jean Pierre Wimille and Robert Benoist won the Le Mans with the Model 57 G “Tank.” The victory is reminiscent of Buggati’s racing success in the 1920’s
1939 – Jean, Ettore’s son was able to convince his father to enter the Le Mans despite the company’s financial trouble. The Bugatti’s entered a car with a chassis much similar to the Tank, but this time equipped with a compressor. The racer won the race with Wimille and Benoist still behind the wheels. The 1939 Le Mans would be the last racing victory of Ettore Bugatti. He would later proclaim Jean as the next “Patron.”
August 11, 1939 – Jean Bugatti died during a test-run in the same car they used in the Le Mans 1939. Days after, the Second World War would begin.
August 21, 1947 – The great artisan, Ettore Bugatti died of lung infection. Before this, Bugatti made several unsuccessful attempts to resume production at the Molsheim factory. However, the financial side of production got the better of him. During his time, Ettore was able to produce only about 7,900 cars. Despite this, the Bugatti is revered as one of the best car to set its wheels both in the race track and on the streets. And the maverick genius Ettore Bugatti would be etched in automotive history forever.
Finishing races is important, but racing (itself) is more important.
Dale Earnhardt
In Retrospect (1st of two parts)
The changing of the year does bring nostalgia. For this post I am going to provide a timeline of our beloved Bugatti – its rise, eventual decline, resurrection and everything in between.
September 15, 1881 –Bugatti founder Ettore Bugatti was born. The Ettore’s father was an important Art Nouveau furniture and jewelry designer. His grandfather was an architect and sculptor. Despite his artistic background, Ettore decided that he would be more successful as an engineer. However, Ettore’s artistic background would eventually manifest in his creations the Bugatti cars.
1899 – Ettore finally got financial backing after being recognized winning races with the car he designed. He was 19 when he produced his first car which is quite an accomplishment. Ettore’s name and sensational design spread all over Europe. Consequently, our fiery genius was flooded with offers. As early as then Ettore was already considered ahead of his time.
1909 – Ettore acquired a huge piece of land in Molsheim, Alsace that later be the Bugatti factory. It was here where Ettore started his pet project, a small, four cylinder, 660 pound racer – the Model 10.
1911 – The racer Ettore designed appeared at Le Mans (French Grand Prix) and looked like a dwarf compared to the other “heavyweights.” The car competed with the likes of Fiat, Dietrich, and Excelsior. Ettore’s car finished second affirming the mastery behind the design. The year also saw the production of the Bebe Peugeot Bugatti Model19 engine. The Model 19 was installed in thousands of automobiles
1914 – War is coming. Ettore fled to Italy with his family. But before the exodus, Ettore managed to bury three of his racing cars under the cellar of his house.
During the war Bugatti, together with Rolls Royce and Mercedes, designed planes for the Allied Forces. Licensing fees from the venture funded the re-opening of the Molshiem factory. It is also said that Bugatti influenced the introduction of straight-eight engine in America six months after the war.
The post-war Bugatti history will be concluded after the holidays. Please enjoy. And remember:
The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet. ~Damon Runyon, “More Than Somewhat,” in reference to Ecclesiastes 9:11, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
