The fifth model in the six-part Bugatti Legends series pays tribute to one of
the first ever street legal super sports cars.
At the upcoming Auto China motor show in Beijing (from 21 to 29 April) the
French luxury manufacturer will be presenting as a world premiere the modern
interpretation of the Type 18, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Black Bess.
As one of the fastest road vehicles in the world at the time, the Type 18 "Black
Bess" is a direct forerunner of today's world speed record-holding Bugatti
Veyron. As with all models in the Edition, the current Legends model is limited
to a run of three vehicles and is available for a net price of $3 million.
Of the four Legend models already presented, all twelve vehicles have been sold.
"Over the course of its history, Bugatti has not only been responsible for
crafting enormously successful race cars, but has also created some outstanding
road vehicles," notes Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, President of Bugatti Automobiles
S.A.S. "As the fastest road vehicle of its time, the Type 18 was in a class of
its own. It truly is the legitimate forerunner for the Veyron, and is therefore
a Bugatti Legend."
Exterior Design of 'Black Bess' Legend Vitesse
The body of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Black Bess is
constructed entirely of carbon fiber and, just like its historical predecessor,
is painted completely black. The gold-colored accents that make the Type 18
"Black Bess" so unmistakable are reflected in exquisite fashion on the modern
Bugatti. For example, some of the Bugatti's body components are coated in
24-carat gold. Indeed, this precious material has been used for the striking
Bugatti horseshoe, which gleams against the background of the black front
grille, creating a truly expressive front view for the Vitesse. This is
reinforced by gold-colored stripes that start below the headlights and radiate
out over the front wings towards the rear, before tapering off at the end of the
door line.
Sporting a similarly brilliant gold finish are the EB logo on the rear of the
vehicle and the hub covers on the black rims, which also bear the initials of
the company's founder, Ettore Bugatti, in black. And let's not forget the tank
and oil caps, which have been engraved with the "Black Bess" nameplate and
elegantly finished with gold paint.
Finest Leather Inside
The interior of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Black Bess has been fully
upholstered using the finest leather. The headliner, footwell, seats, elongated
center console and rear bulkhead are bedecked in a light "Beige" tone, with the
dashboard, dash panel, door trim panel and cowl panel offering a discreet
contrast in "Havanna". Clad in red "Crimson" leather, the steering wheel rim
draws a clear reference to the historic Type 18 "Black Bess". This accent has
also been picked up and continued in the red decorative stitching on the outer
bolsters of the seats and in the seat belts.
