Between the two major French chapters in Bugatti’s storied automotive legacy existed a fascinating and often overlooked Italian interlude – Bugatti Automobili S.p.A. – founded by the visionary entrepreneur Romano Artioli in 1987 after acquiring the rights to the famed marque. Artioli’s goal was nothing short of reviving the Bugatti name and reestablishing it at the forefront of supercar engineering and design. His crowning achievement was the introduction of the EB110, unveiled on September 15, 1991 to coincide with the 110th anniversary of Ettore Bugatti’s birth. This car would not only carry the legendary name forward into a new era but would also become one of the most advanced and ambitious supercars of the 1990s.

The EB110 was the product of an all-star team of designers and engineers. At its heart was a revolutionary carbon fiber monocoque chassis, an advanced construction developed by the aerospace firm Aérospatiale, the same company behind the Concorde supersonic airliner. This structure, rare and exotic at the time, offered immense strength while keeping weight to a minimum. The sleek and angular bodywork was designed by Marcello Gandini, famed for his work on the Lamborghini Miura, Countach, and the Lancia Stratos.

Powering the EB110 was a remarkable 3.5-liter, quad-turbocharged V-12 engine featuring 60 valves and 12 individual throttle bodies. Developed by ex-Lamborghini engineer Paolo Stanzani, the engine was paired with a six-speed manual transaxle and an advanced all-wheel-drive system, a rarity among high-performance supercars of the era. The combination of these cutting-edge components resulted in a car that could rival or surpass the performance of nearly any competitor. Bugatti offered the EB110 in two distinct versions: the EB110 GT, which emphasized grand touring comfort with a more refined driving character, and the EB110 Super Sport, or SS, which was designed for maximum performance. The EB110 GT was already a formidable machine, with 550 hp and a top speed of 213 mph, but Bugatti sought to push the limits even further. Just six months after the debut of the GT, Bugatti unveiled the EB110 Super Sport at the 1992 Geneva Motor Show. This variant represented the ultimate evolution of Artioli’s vision, boasting enhanced performance, reduced weight, and even more aggressive styling.

To transform the EB110 into the Super Sport, Bugatti implemented a series of key upgrades. The V-12 engine received a new ECU, larger fuel injectors, and a less-restrictive exhaust system, boosting output to 603 hp – an increase of 53 bhp over the GT. Weight savings were achieved by replacing many of the aluminum body panels with carbon Kevlar components, which were bonded directly to the chassis. These changes resulted in a dramatic weight reduction of more than 150 kg, bringing the Super Sport’s curb weight down to just 3,086 pounds. The fixed rear wing replaced the electronically adjustable one found on the GT, further reducing complexity and saving weight. The Super Sport was also distinguished with revised styling and new wheels inspired by the famous alloy wheels that Ettore Bugatti had developed for the Type 35 Grand Prix.

The performance gains were substantial. The EB110 Super Sport could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.26 seconds and reach a top speed of 220 mph, making it the fastest production car in the world at the time of its release. In this regard, the Super Sport outperformed its contemporaries, including the Ferrari F50 and the Porsche 911 GT1, both of which were unable to match its top speed or acceleration figures. Even the legendary McLaren F1, although ultimately faster in terms of top speed, offered only marginally better performance in most real-world driving situations. The EB110 Super Sport was more than just a supercar – it was a technological statement, the physical embodiment of Artioli’s ambition to restore Bugatti’s dominance.

Despite its capabilities, the EB110 Super Sport remained an exceedingly rare automobile. According to most sources, only 136 EB110s were built in total, and of those, approximately 30 were regular-production Super Sport models. This scarcity has made the SS not only the most desirable EB110 variant but also one of the most collectible supercars of the 1990s. It also enjoyed a brief but impactful motor sports presence. In 1994, a racing version of the EB110 Super Sport competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking Bugatti’s return to the legendary endurance race after a 55-year absence. Entered in the GT1 class, the EB110 SS was the fastest qualifier in its category, further validating its engineering pedigree.

The Bugatti presented here, chassis 39012, is a particularly noteworthy example of the EB110 Super Sport. This car was delivered new to Ariane Müller of Germany on March 23, 1994, through the specialist dealer Auto König. It left the factory finished in Grigio Chiaro Metallizzato (Light Gray Metallic) over a black leather interior – a striking and elegant color combination befitting the car’s exclusivity. After its initial delivery in Europe, the car spent time in a prominent Japanese collection composed entirely of rare and significant supercars. It eventually made its way to Switzerland in 2012 before arriving in the US in 2019.

In recent years, the car has been part of two prestigious American collections, where it has enjoyed careful stewardship and minimal use. In 2019, it underwent servicing by B. Engineering S.r.l. in Italy, a firm well-versed in the maintenance of EB110s, having been founded by former Bugatti engineers. Additional maintenance was carried out in October 2023 by the consignor’s in-house team, including the installation of new Continental tires. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer showed only 1,017 km – approximately 631 miles – making it one of the lowest-mileage EB110 Super Sports in existence and likely one of the best preserved.

Offered with a selection of tools, books, and factory literature, this EB110 Super Sport is a time capsule from a truly unique era in Bugatti’s history. Its combination of groundbreaking engineering, blistering performance, rarity, and excellent provenance places it among the most desirable collector cars of the modern era. It stands not only as a monument to Romano Artioli’s ambitious vision for the Bugatti name, but also as a symbol of what made the 1990s such a golden era for analog supercars. With only a handful of Super Sports ever built, and even fewer surviving in such pristine condition, this example represents a truly rare opportunity for collectors and marque enthusiasts alike.

*Please note that this vehicle will not be sold for use or resale in California or to a non-dealer California resident.