The company’s only production model during Romano Artioli’s Italian revival of the French firm, the EB110 marked the first modern Bugatti, being unleashed 28 years after the brand previously closed its doors in 1963. Development of the EB110 began in 1987, four years prior to the first prototype being unveiled in ’91 in front of the Palace of Versailles on September 15 — what would have been founder Ettore Bugatti’s 110th birthday (hence the “EB110” name). Unfortunately, a global economic crisis would lead to an early end to the revived marque, resulting in only 139 specimens ever leaving the factory. This figure doesn’t include a lone prototype example that Bugatti used to exhibit and promote the EB110 — an absolute unicorn of a ‘90s-era supercar that’s now headed to auction.
The fastest series-production car on the planet upon its release according to Bugatti, the EB110 — which also set a trio of other noteworthy speed records — was constructed around a carbon fiber monocoque chassis that came cloaked in a softened wedge-shaped body complete with an active aero kit and scissor doors. Powering the car was a mid-placed quad-turbo 3.5-liter 60-valve V12 that was paired with a manual six-speed transmission and sent 553hp and 451ft-lbs of torque to all four wheels via an ultra-advanced all-wheel-drive system. Between its super slippery bodywork and ridiculously potent powertrain, the EB110 was capable of firing off 0-60mph runs in 3.4 seconds and reaching a top speed of 212mph.
This particular GT-spec prototype also boasts a myriad of one-off interior and exterior features — such as the unique rear grille design — that weren’t present on the production models. Making this rolling piece of Bugatti history all the more compelling is the fact that it’s not only said to be in showroom-quality condition, but the V12 at the heart of this prototype specimen also only sports 681 original miles — making this, quite possibly, the lowest-mileage EB110 in the world.
This ultra-rare 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT Prototype is due to cross the auction block at RM Sotheby’s upcoming Amelia Island sale in Florida on March 5th where the one-of-one GT-spec prototype is expected to fetch between $2,000,000 and $2,500,000 — a major jump over the $700,000 to $1,000,000 that regular EB110s typically command.
