Beschreibung
Believed to be two owners from new
Present ownership since 2005
Kept dry stored as part of an extensive private collection
Requires recommissioning
Forty years after Ettore Bugatti's death in 1947, the once legendary but moribund marque, one of the most renowned in automotive history, was acquired by ambitious Italian businessman Romano Artioli, whose aim was nothing less than a resurrection of Bugatti in the form of a state-of-the-art supercar. Development commenced in 1987. Artioli chose Modena, home to Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, as the place to build his modern factory from which the first completed production car rolled out early in 1992. Designated 'EB110' (signifying its debut 110 years after Ettore's birth) the first new Bugatti since the 1950s was an advanced mid-engined supercar acclaimed as worthy successor to its formidable antecedents.
The Bugatti EB110 GT was designed by a team that initially included none other than engineer Paolo Stanzani and stylist Marcello Gandini, co-creators of the exotic Lamborghini Countach supercar to which the EB110, with its short nose, wedge-shaped body and scissor doors, bore a strong resemblance. Differences with Artioli would see both men depart before the design was finalised.
Beneath the skin there were other similarities to the Countach, the short-stroke V12 engine with forward mounted gearbox having been pioneered on the Countach. Had the EN110 stopped there it would have constituted a remarkable enough debut for a fledgling manufacturer, but to the already outstanding specification Stanzani added five valves per cylinder, four turbochargers, a bespoke six-speed gearbox and four-wheel drive! Four small turbochargers were preferred to two large ones as they spooled up more quickly, thereby reducing 'turbo lag'.
Built by the French aerospace company Arospatiale, the production chassis was made of carbon fibre (aluminium had been used for the first prototypes) while the suspension followed the supercar norm, consisting of double wishbones all round. The EB110 was one of the first supercars to incorporate 'active' aerodynamics, featuring a speed-sensitive rear wing and manually operated air flaps near the rear window. On 15th September 1991, exactly 110 years since Ettore's birth, the Bugatti EB110 GT was unveiled simultaneously at both Versailles and Paris.
Despite the complexity, the EB110 worked well on the road, its compact dimensions combined with four-wheel drive making for exceptional agility and excellent grip and balance no matter what the conditions. The 3. 5-litre V12 developed around 550bhp, good enough for a top speed of 212mph (341km/ h), a figure recorded at the Nardi test track in Italy that placed the EB110 on a par with that other 'World's Fastest Car', the Jaguar XJ220.
According to Autocar magazine: Capable of 30-70mph in 3. 3sec, the EB110 was beaten for overall pace by only the 110kg-lighter Jaguar XJ220. It meted out its performance with more composure than the Jag, though, and emitted a Ferrari-rivalling scream, yet managed 21. 6mpg on our touring route. The XJ220 edged the Bugatti for grip and steering feel, but the EB110 was far more agile. The Bugatti cornered beautifully, with minimal roll, yet the ride was peerless among supercars. The brakes were also superb.
While, understandably, headline writers emphasised its performance to the exclusion of almost everything else except the price (285, 000, approximately 393, 000), the EB110 was nevertheless a very well built product possessing a roomy and lavishly equipped interior featuring leather and solid wood trim, although luggage space was limited to a 77-litre compartment behind the seats.
Unfortunately for Artioli and his collaborators, the EB110 launched just as the early 1990s' economic recession took hold, and the company entered receivership in 1994. In addition to the five aluminium chassis and eight composite chassis pre-production prototypes, it is estimated (sources vary) that a mere 125 of these exotic cars were built (95 GT and 30 SS), Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher and HRH the Sultan of Brunei being perhaps the most high-profile owners.
Although ultimately a commercial failure, the EB110 provided Bugatti's new owners Volkswagen with the template for the successor Veyron and Chiron models, and is now rightly regarded as one of the defining supercars of the 1990s.
This left-hand drive EB110 GT was purchased new on 8th July 1994 by the immediately preceding owner. Finished in Indian Red with grey leather interior, it features a superb Nakamichi stereo system with remote control. The current vendor purchased the Bugatti at Bonhams' Monaco Sale in May 2005 (Lot 280), since acquisition it has been kept in dry storage as part of his extensive private collection in the Middle East. The car has covered a mere 7, 102 kilometres from new at the time of cataloguing. Recommissioning will be required before it returns to the road as the car has been in museum storage since 2005, covering just under 70 km in the intervening 18 years.
Understood to be accident free, this stunning EB110 GT is offered today with its cancelled Monaco registration papers. A rare opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic supercars of the 1990s that is already a collector's favourite.
This EB110 will celebrate its 30th birthday in 2024 and become eligible for a lower import tax rate into the EU and UK, as an item of historic interest, and therefore providing a considerable saving for the buyer. Our shipping partner CARS Europe have indicated that they are happy to store the motor car and handle the customs formalities until then. Equally, the buyer may wish to recommission the motor car with a specialist utilising a temporary import facility and then formally import post recommissioning. Interested parties should liaise with Joanna Herlihy at CARS for further advice (using the button below
/ +31 (0) the details below, +44 (0) the details below).
Please note that if this vehicle remains in Belgium, it will be subject to Import Duty at 10% (+VAT) and 21% Import VAT on the hammer price. Import rates to other EU Country's may vary for VAT rate and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances with the Bonhams Customs Agents. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered countries rate. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
NOTICE COLLECTIONS, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE Purchases will only be released when cleared funds are received.
MOTOR CARS & MOTORCYCLES
All vehicles must be collected from the Bonhams|Cars Marquee by 12noon on Monday 9 October 2023. Customers must notify BY EMAIL ONLY to Suzanne Kress , using the button below, no later than 8pm on the day of the Sale.
Please note that if Suzanne Kress hasn't received your notification on Sunday evening, all vehicles will be automatically removed to a temporary storage facility by the logistics company EXCLUTRANS BV on Monday 9 October at your expense and risk.
ADMINISTRATION AND UPLIFT FROM THE VENUE
€185 + VAT per motor car/ motorcycle
STORAGE CHARGES
First 14 days
€25 + VAT per motor car/ motorcycle per day
Payment of the uplift & storage charges and transport must be arranged with EXCLUTRANS BV. Collection is strictly by appointment only and at least 24-hours notice must be given.
POINT OF CONTACT TO ORGANISE STORAGE FEES' PAYMENT & COLLECTION
THEO VAN DEN EECKHOUT – EXCLUTRANS BV
+32 9 232 01 71
using the button below
POINT OF CONTACT FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
JORIS EYSERMANS - FIBONACCI
+32 460 96 18 40
using the button below
POINT OF CONTACT REGARDING THE ORIGINAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS OF YOUR PURCHASE(S)
SUZANNE KRESS – BONHAMS|CARS
+33 1 42 61 10 11
Susing the button below
POINT OF CONTACT REGARDING PAYMENTS
CHERYL UGGLES - BONHAMS|CARS – CREDIT CONTROLLER
+44 the details below
using the button below
IMPORTANT CARS UNDER CUSTOMS BOND
Lots 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 119, 124, 134, 145, 150, 151, 155, 169, 185, 186
• Please note that for lots which are subject to the normal local duty/ import tax on Hammer Price : as Bonhams|Cars is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance, these motor cars cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.
• For these cars, collection by the buyer or a third party is only possible if import taxes are paid.
• These motor cars cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.
• Please keep in mind that it takes a couple of days to clear customs.
• Please send us from now your clearance instructions.
For all enquiries relating to Customs, be they administrative or legal, please contact:
FIBONACCI
Joris Eysermans
+32 460 96 18 40
using the button below
