Major brand reveals ‘one-off’ hypercar with 273mph top speed in nod to iconic model… with hidden meaning on paintwork
A MAJOR brand has revealed a “one-off” hypercar with 273mph top speed in a nod to an iconic model – with hidden meaning on the paintwork.
The unique Bugatti Chiron Super Sport is a fancy bumblebee-like yellow and black and features decals showcasing the number 55.
This is to honour the colours of the first of its kind – the Type 55 – introduced in the early 1930s.
The car’s owner worked with the brand’s personalisation department ‘Sur Mesure’ to create the finish as a way to “visually break up the expansive surfaces of the hyper sports car”.
Just 38 of the Type 55s were ever built, making it one of the rarest cars in existence.
The fading “55” pattern over the lights and across the arches was done by hand in a “long and intricate process”.
Inside the car there are a further 55 motifs and inscriptions.
“Even 100 years after his time, we have remained totally connected to Jean [Bugatti] and his designs,” said Sur Mesure manager Jascha Straub.
The Type 55 Super Sport boasted a 2.3-litre straight-eight engine derived from the Type 51 racer.
It was set apart, however, by the two-seater roadster body.
“As Bugatti’s inaugural Super Sport, the Type 55 not only marked the foundation of a new category but it also served as the blueprint for all modern-day Super Sport models, redefining grand touring – seamlessly blending comfort with a remarkable top speed of 180 km/h,” according to the brand’s website.
“Yet, Jean Bugatti’s ingenuity extended beyond engineering – introducing the then groundbreaking duotone paint scheme that would eventually inspire Bugatti’s iconic contemporary A/B color split.
“And today, the most revered Type 55 model wears the timeless combination of black and yellow.”
It adds: “Its scarcity only adds to its status as a coveted collectors’ piece.
“Its legacy, as the pioneer of the Grand Prix car for the road segment, captured the imagination of a Chiron Super Sport customer and the Sur Mesure team.”