Following renderings released last month, Bugatti has unveiled the Jean-Pierre Wimille ultra-limited edition of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse at Pebble Beach. The first of six “Bugatti Legends” based on the Grand Sport Vitesse honors Jean-Pierre Wimille, Bugatti’s racing driver who won the Le Mans 24 Hours race twice with the Bugatti Type 57G Tank in 1937 and 1939.
Limited to three units, the Jean-Pierre Wimille edition has a design inspired by the 1937 Le Mans-winning Bugatti Type 57G Tank. Technically, the car is identical to the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse: it has an 8-liter W16 engine that delivers 1,200PS (1,184 hp) and 1,500 Nm (1,106 lb-ft) of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.6 seconds and holds the record for the fastest open-top production sports car, having reached a top speed of 408.84 km/h (253 mph) with the top down.
The car’s paint scheme combining dark and light blue is similar to that of the Type 57G Tank, with dark blue carbon contrasting the light blue “Bleu Wimille” paint finish developed especially for this model. A series of details remind of Wimille, such as the silver silhouette of the Le Mans race circuit where he scored Bugatti’s first victory and the driver’s signature lasered into the dark blue tank and oil caps.
The dual-tone color scheme continues on the inside, with the headliner, footwells, and seat inserts being upholstered in “Bleu Wimille”. The seat bolsters, dash panel, center console and doors are finished in a darker “Lake Blue”. There’s also a special decorative stitching in the French national colors (blue, white and red) which can be seen on the steering wheel and gearshift lever.
The headrests have been embellished with the stitched signature of Jean-Pierre Wimille, adding yet another highlight in “Bleu Wimille”. The silhouette of the Le Mans track can be found below the EB logo in the lid of the rear centerbox, while the “Les Légendes de Bugatti” logo is displayed in the center console extension and on the door sill plates along with the portrait and signature of Wimille.
The limited edition Bugatti is joined at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance by its source of inspiration, the 1937 Type 57G Tank, which has been made available to Bugatti by the renowned Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
