When Bugatti introduced La Voiture Noire, at the Geneva Motor Show, they ultimately knew it would be a captivating moment. Whether or not they were aware that it would sell off right on the spot is a story we might never know very well.
The French translation for its name is “the black car.” It is a a one-off gem that sold for a colossal $18.9 million (that’s $12.5 million for the car, plus another $6.4 million in local and luxury taxes). It was such an exclusive deal that Bugatti refused to identify the buyer, only hinting that was bought by someone with an enormous attachment to the brand.
In clinching this sale the Bugatti beat the the Rolls Royce Sweptail, which was priced at $13 million and one that had been commissioned by the customer from the ground up. But several reasons qualify and perhaps justify this figure.
To start with, it provides the comfort of a luxury limousine and muscle of a hypercar. As Bugatti puts it,it is a modern interpretation of the legendary Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.
Only four were ever made of that car, which was designed by Jean Bugatti, son of Bugatti founder Ettore Bugatti. Today only three remain as the fourth seems to have disappeared shortly before the German invasion of France during World War II.
Its whereabouts are unknown and it is also said that only two are 100% original (clothing designer Ralph Lauren repainted his a non-Bugatti color). This classifies them among the most valuable cars in the world.
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