[Auto]The curious story of the most exclusive car in the world, with 1,500 HP and valued in millions of euros

[Blexfraptor]

Only one unit was built, based on a sports car manufactured before World War II, and it was sold immediately.
It is called La Voiture Noire, which in French means 'black car', and Bugatti turned it five years ago into one of the most exclusive and expensive cars in automotive history. Its acquisition price was 11 million euros, and the only piece produced was sold at the presentation of the project, in 2019.

This model is a reinterpretation of the Type 57 SC Atlantic created by Jean Bugatti before the outbreak of World War II, which led to the disappearance of the only four existing models.
With this version, the hypercar changes its attitude and transforms into a grand tourer, ideal for traveling comfortably on long trips.

La Voiture Noire, more than a reinterpretation
“Each component has been handcrafted and the carbon fiber body has an intense black gloss only interrupted by the ultra-fine fiber structure. This is a material that has been handled perfectly,” says Bugatti designer Etienne Salomé. “We worked long and hard on this design until we couldn't improve anything. For us, the coupe represents the perfect shape with a perfect finish.”

The 16-cylinder, 8-liter engine develops 1,500 HP and 1,600 Nm. At the rear, it has six exhaust outlets.
For 11 million euros (before taxes), this unique car has already been sold to a Bugatti enthusiast. It was, at that time, 2019, the most expensive new car sold until then. The car enthusiast was fascinated by the Atlantic; For this reason, he acquired the Bugatti La Voiture Noire.

some history
The Atlantic GT model based on the Type 57 was a grand tourer that could reach a top speed of more than 220 km/h. The data is surprising, because this was more than 80 years ago. Jean Bugatti designed the Type 57 for various body and engine configurations, including the Galibier (four-door saloon), Stelvio (convertible), Ventoux (two-door saloon) and Atalante (coupe), as well as the Atlantic.
Jean Bugatti, the eldest son of the company's founder, Ettore Bugatti, was also a talented automobile designer. In the late 1920s, he influenced the development of the company with his own ideas and designs, before assuming management responsibility in 1936, at the age of 27.

With his pioneering designs for bodies, engines and chassis, he created some extraordinary vehicles until his tragic death in an accident in 1939, cementing his place in automotive history. His most beautiful and famous design was the Type 57 SC Atlantic.

Today it is one of the most valuable classic cars in the world. Only four Atlantics were built between 1936 and 1938, each with detailed differences created individually for each customer.
Three of these extraordinary coupes still exist. The second car built was used by Jean Bugatti himself, as well as by some of the Bugatti Grand Prix drivers among his friends.

The world has been searching for this Atlantic for more than 80 years: it is one of the great mysteries in automotive history. The car probably disappeared before the German invasion of Alsace, when it was to be shipped to a safe region.

Like the company itself, Jean would have turned 110 this year.