Bugatti is paying tribute to six of the most important individuals in the marque’s 104-year history, and will be unveiling a new special edition Veyron every two months for the next year. The first is the car pictured right: the Jean-Pierre Wimille version.
Translated as ‘Bugatti Legends', the brief is simple: six special editions commemorating six people that have played a crucial role in the history and ‘mystique' of Bugatti. The first name on the roster? Jean-Pierre Wimille.
This gentleman was one of the longest-serving test drivers at Bugatti, bringing home a number of race wins that included the company's very last number one: the 1947 Bois de Boulogne, where he drove a 4.7-litre Monoposto (single seater) Type 59/50 B.
He died later in 1949 in a car crash in Buenos Aires, but his greatest achievement for Bugatti remains the two victories he scored at Le Mans; the first in 1937 driving the 57G Tank, the second in 1939 supported by Pierre Veyron (get the connection?) in a 57C Tank.
And thus, as it's the 90th anniversary of Le Mans this year, Bugatti has decided Jean-Pierre's race-winning 57G Tank from 1937 was ripe for commemoration. As we mentioned, each special edition is based on the bonkers-fast Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, and this first car gets blue clear-coated carbon fibre and a light Wimille Bleu paintwork finish, in honour of Wimille's blue 57G.
The blue theme continues inside, although Bugatti has neglected to fiddle with the meat underneath. A wise move, considering the GSV boasts an 8.0-litre W16 capable of around 1200bhp, 1106lb ft of torque, a 0-62mph time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 254.04mph. Suffice to say, industrial strength adhesive may be required for any hairpieces/commemorative headwear when the roof is off.
Translated as ‘Bugatti Legends', the brief is simple: six special editions commemorating six people that have played a crucial role in the history and ‘mystique' of Bugatti. The first name on the roster? Jean-Pierre Wimille.
This gentleman was one of the longest-serving test drivers at Bugatti, bringing home a number of race wins that included the company's very last number one: the 1947 Bois de Boulogne, where he drove a 4.7-litre Monoposto (single seater) Type 59/50 B.
He died later in 1949 in a car crash in Buenos Aires, but his greatest achievement for Bugatti remains the two victories he scored at Le Mans; the first in 1937 driving the 57G Tank, the second in 1939 supported by Pierre Veyron (get the connection?) in a 57C Tank.
And thus, as it's the 90th anniversary of Le Mans this year, Bugatti has decided Jean-Pierre's race-winning 57G Tank from 1937 was ripe for commemoration. As we mentioned, each special edition is based on the bonkers-fast Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, and this first car gets blue clear-coated carbon fibre and a light Wimille Bleu paintwork finish, in honour of Wimille's blue 57G.
The blue theme continues inside, although Bugatti has neglected to fiddle with the meat underneath. A wise move, considering the GSV boasts an 8.0-litre W16 capable of around 1200bhp, 1106lb ft of torque, a 0-62mph time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 254.04mph. Suffice to say, industrial strength adhesive may be required for any hairpieces/commemorative headwear when the roof is off.
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