19 January 2023
Between 1934 and 1940, Jean Bugatti, the eldest son of Ettore Bugatti, the founder of Automobiles E. Bugatti, designed, developed, and drove one of only four Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic ever made.
One of Ettore Bugatti’s famous quotes reads, ‘nothing is too beautiful; nothing is too expensive.’ Not surprisingly, his company created arguably the most beautiful and potentially expensive car ever, the 1937 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic La Voiture Noire.
One of four Atlantic Coupes built in the 30s.
The whereabouts of Jean Bugatti’s personal ‘La Voiture Noire’ is still unknown. The feeling is that the car disappeared during the Second World War and was sent to a safe region before the German troops invaded Alsace.
However, due to its massive automotive significance and going by the current worth of the three other Atlantic Coupés, the missing La Voiture Noire, according to Hemmings, is worth about $114 million if found today.
This latest iteration of the La Voiture Noire built to mark the company’s 110th anniversary and honour the type 57 SC Atlantic.
At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the world first laid its eyes on the ‘new’ Bugatti La Voiture Noire; although it looked complete, it had an electric powertrain but no interior.
The La Voiture was completed in 2021 and sold for $19m, making it the most expensive motorcar ever built and the only one. Speculation that Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferdinand Piech or Floyd Mayweather owns it.
If anyone knows where the original Voiture Noire is or the owner of the current one, please do not hesitate to let me know; it will be our secret.
