Bugatti Lone Masterpiece: A One-Off Hypercar on Offer
"It was, at the time, among the most costly new vehicles ever produced."
While standard Bugatti Veyrons and Chirons are already considered rare and expensive, they’re practically common compared to some of the brand’s ultra-exclusive models. For select buyers with both the means and the desire, Bugatti will create one-of-a-kind cars that will never be replicated.
The company unveiled its latest such creation this year: the Brouillard, one of the final vehicles to feature the legendary W16 engine. Among these bespoke creations, one car captured the automotive world’s imagination more than most: the La Voiture Noire. An early one-off based on the Chiron, it carried a staggering price tag and shrouded its owner in secrecy, adding to the car’s mystique.
Though the identity of the original buyer remains unknown, the car is reportedly coming up for sale. Even so, it’s likely we’ll learn little about the new owner once the transaction is complete.
The Auction Puts Privacy First
It’s clear the owner values their privacy—though it’s curious given the car in question is a one-off Bugatti, a vehicle that stands out wherever it goes. After all, spending $18 million on a unique car makes it hard to imagine ever letting it go.
But the privacy extends to the sale. The car is being offered through SBX Cars, the auction service launched by Supercar Blondie, which emphasizes discretion. The listing promises prospective buyers that the platform will “facilitate your next acquisition in the most private and discreet manner possible.”
Only a select group of potential buyers will even be able to bid, needing to apply and demonstrate their financial ability before receiving an invitation to the closed auction. This means the new owner—and the final sale price—will likely remain unknown, so don’t expect any new auction records to be set publicly.
What Made the La Voiture Noire Special
One of the few details Bugatti revealed about the La Voiture Noire was its price: $18 million, including taxes, making it the most expensive new car in the world for a time. That record held until 2021, when a bespoke Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, purchased by Jay-Z and Beyoncé, took the crown at $28 million.
While the La Voiture Noire was based on the Chiron, its body was entirely unique, drawing design inspiration from the legendary Type 57 SC Atlantic—nicknamed the same as this one-off. Signature elements included a central crease running down the car’s spine, echoing the Atlantic’s iconic ridge, along with six distinctive exhaust tips.
Bugatti left the powertrain unchanged, so despite its one-of-a-kind appearance, the La Voiture Noire delivers the same monstrous performance as a standard Chiron: 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque.
The car’s secretive ownership fueled speculation within the automotive world for years. Early reports suggested the buyer could have been Ferdinand Piëch, the former Volkswagen Group chairman and a key figure behind the Veyron project. Later rumors pointed to soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as the owner. Neither claim was ever confirmed, and the Ronaldo rumor was explicitly denied, leaving the car’s true owner shrouded in mystery.
