One of only 11 Grand Sports delivered new to the USA
2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

7,993cc DOHC 64-Valve Quad-Turbocharged W16 Engine
Direct Fuel Injection
987bhp at 6,400rpm
7-Speed Dual Clutch Semi-Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Ventilated Carbon-Ceramic Disc Brakes

*1 of only 11 Grand Sports originally destined for the USA
*The rare open-topped Veyron
*Stunning Black Uni Carbon with Red Accents
*Carbon Fiber Sport Seats, Navigation System, Puccini Audio, Glass top
*Enjoyed to the fullest, with 12,400 miles at cataloguing
*Dealer Serviced in April, 2023
*The machine that defined the Hypercar genre

THE BUGATTI VEYRON

To say that the Bugatti Veyron caused a sensation when it arrived in 2005 would be a gross understatement; for here was a car that didn't just rewrite the supercar rule book so much as tear it up and start afresh. More remarkable was the fact that the Veyron was the vision of one man: Ferdinand Piech, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, which had acquired the Bugatti brand in 1998. Piech's ambition was to create a car that had 1,000 horsepower at its disposal, could exceed 400km/h (250mph), and cost €1 million. Turning Piech's dream into a reality would prove to be an immensely difficult undertaking, even for a company with Volkswagen's technological and financial resources, and the result would not see the light of day for another seven years.

The legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign penned the first concept car – the EB118 – displayed at the Paris Auto Show in 1998 and featuring permanent four-wheel drive and a Volkswagen-designed W18 engine. A handful of variations on the theme appeared at international motor shows over the course of the next few years before the concept finally crystallized in 2000 in the form of the Veyron EB 16.4. The original Giugiaro shape was comprehensively restyled in-house at VW by Hartmut Warkuß and featured an engine with 16 cylinders and four turbochargers – hence the '16.4' designation. It was named after Bugatti development engineer and racing driver, Pierre Veyron, who together with co-driver Jean-Pierre Wimille, won the 1939 Le Mans 24-Hour race for the French squad. But this was really just the beginning of the development process, and it would take another five years and an extensive shake-up of the project's management and engineering teams before production began, by which time an incredible 95% of components had been either changed or redesigned.

Effectively two narrow-angle 4.0-liter V8 engines sharing a common crankcase, the 8.0-liter W16 - just - met Piech's requirements, producing a maximum output of 1,001ps (987bhp) and 922ft/lb of torque, figures that would embarrass a contemporary Formula 1 car. With a curb weight of 1,888kg (4,162lb) the Veyron had a staggering power-to-weight ratio of 523bhp per ton. Tasked with transmitting this formidable force to the ground was a permanent four-wheel-drive, dual-clutch transmission system incorporating a seven-speed paddle-shift semi-automatic gearbox, the latter built by the British company, Ricardo. To accommodate the Veyron's phenomenal top speed, Michelin developed a special run-flat PAX tire and wheel system. Piech had specified a maximum velocity of 250mph, and the Veyron did not disappoint, with more than one tester – Top Gear's James May included – exceeding the target by a few miles per hour. At $1,250,000 (€1,225,000) the Veyron base price also exceeded Piech's target comfortably.

To maintain stability at such high speeds, the Veyron has a few aerodynamic tricks up its sleeve, like a hydraulic system lowering the car at around 140mph, at which speed the rear wing deploys, increasing downforce. But if the Veyron driver wishes to exceed 213mph (343km/h), he or she needs to select Top Speed Mode (from rest) before joining what is a very exclusive club indeed.

Jeremy Clarkson, reviewing the Veyron for The Times: "In a drag race you could let the McLaren (F1) get to 120mph before setting off in the Veyron. And you'd still get to 200mph first. The Bugatti is way, way faster than anything else the roads have seen." Yet despite its breathtaking performance, the Veyron contrived to be surprisingly docile at 'sensible' speeds. "Bugatti says the Veyron is as easy to drive as a Bentley, and they're not exaggerating," declared Autocar. "Immediately you notice how smoothly weighted the steering is, and how calm the ride is." The Veyron's magic is in its exceptional refinement – it was a car that shattered virtually every standing performance record yet could cruise effortlessly to the shops while coddling occupants in air-conditioned comfort, without a second thought given to overheating, burning clutches, or otherwise recalcitrant behavior.

In 2009, a roadster version of the Veyron – the Grand Sport – was announced, featuring a removable roof panel and 'emergency' soft-top. Performance remained at the same record-setting levels, though top speed was electronically limited to "just" 223mph – plenty enough to test the limits of any hairdo. Put the hard roof panel back in place, however, and you'd be free to uncork all the 252-mph potential, once the speed key is activated, of course.

By the time Veyron production ceased in 2015, Bugatti had built only 450 of these quite extraordinary cars, with various special editions like the Grand Sport commanding special attention from collectors for their rarity, exclusivity, and performance.

THE CAR OFFERED

Delivered new to Los Angeles, this Veyron Grand Sport is one of just 11 such roadster models imported to the USA. The Grand Sport is seemingly made for places like Los Angeles or Miami– ultra-exclusive, with stunning looks, and a roof that opens to the sunshine.

This car is believed to be in one-off specification, finished in stunning Black Uni with Carmine Red accents applied to the horseshoe grille, sills, rear diffuser and roof rails. Gloss black wheels and red calipers punctuate the sinister look. The interior is finished in a complementing scheme of Carmine Red and black leather and is finished to Bugatti's typically exquisite standards with gorgeous alloy trim. According to the accompanying window sticker, the MSRP topped out at $2,307,666, with an additional $100,000 in transportation, duties, and taxes.

The clean CARFAX Report has consistent entries, showing ownership in California and Florida, and supporting the 12,437 miles shown at the time of cataloguing. The seller reports that April 2023, it was treated to an extensive service, totaling approximately $40,000. The car has clearly been enjoyed as intended, while also being kept in outstanding condition. Equipment includes the Puccini 8-speaker audio system, navigation system with OLED in-mirror display, aluminum interior accents, and carbon fiber sport seats with heating. Accompanying accessories include the owner's manuals, reprinted window sticker, and the matching leather-bound key box housing the primary and Speed keys.

The mighty Veyron will undoubtedly live on as one of the greatest automobiles ever conceived, and this gorgeous example brings all that legendary performance, astonishing looks, and the added exclusivity of its unique roadster specification.