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1994 Bugatti EB110 Supersport ‘Le Mans’ – Mullin Automotive Museum in Focus

Bugatti EB110 Supersport

This week’s Mullin Automotive Museum featured vehicle is the 1994 Bugatti EB110 Supersport ‘Le Mans’, one of only three vehicles of these specifications ever built. In all, two were produced for a significant collector in Japan with the EB110 at the Mullin Automotive Museum vehicle being one of them.

The Mullin Automotive Museum’s Bugatti display is breathtaking. In all, the museum has 50 Bugatti vehicles – the largest private collection of Bugatti automobiles in the world. The only larger collection is the French National Automotive Museum in Toulouse, France.

 


Development of the Bugatti EB110

The late twentieth century saw the rise of a new kind of supercar: overpowered, exotic, and wild vehicles that were tailored specifically for an elite group of car connoisseurs.

During this moment in time, supercars manufacturers of the likes of Lamborghini, Maserati, Lotus, and Ferrari dominated the market. Entering the supercar market was Italian entrepreneur Romani Artioli who resurrected the Bugatti marque in the form of Bugatti Automobili SpA to produce the Bugatti EB110.

Romano Artioli
Romano Artioli. Source: Bugatti

A greater depth of the history and development of the Bugatti EB110 can be found within our review article that was published last year.

Bugatti Automobili SpA set a new standard for power, speed, and aesthetics. They built a modern design center and factory in Campogalliano, Italy, which houses many other high-performance car manufacturers.  

Bugatti EB110 SuperSport. Source: Bugatti

To make his dream possible, Artioli recruited a group of highly respected and admired supercar designers.

The expertise of car stylist Marcello Gandini and engineer Paolo Stanzani, who worked together on the Lamborghini Countach, was acquired to conceive the EB110.

Architect Giampaolo Benedino oversaw the final styling of the car, ensuring they would have a body style that also embodied the old marque.  

Exactly 110 years following the birth of Ettore Bugatti, being 15 September 1991, the Bugatti EB 110 GT was unveiled at two notable Parisian locations – the ultra-modern La Défense and the Versailles Palace.

Bugatti unveiled
Source: Bugatti

The EB110 was remarkable for its day. Comprising an entire carbon fiber body, it featured a world-class engine built from scratch that could produce 553 horsepower and a top speed of 212 mph (0-60mph in 4.6 seconds).

Following the EB 110 GT, engineers, stylists, and designers worked together to create the ultimate supercar in the form of the Bugatti EB110 Supersport (EB110 SS). 

It appeared about half a year later at the 1992 Geneva Motor Show as a concept, though Bugatti presented the EB110 Super Sport at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show. 

EB110 range
The EB110 Range. Source: Bugatti

The intention was to produce 150 EB 110 in total, however, by 1995, only 96 GT versions were produced, and 32 EB 110 SS were created. The last vehicles to leave the factory were two works race cars that competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona.

Interior

Upon looking at the interior of the EB110 SS, it is clear that the focus was to save weight and be functional. Unlike the timber dashboard of the EB110 GT, the EB110 SS featured carbon fiber.

interior of the Bugatti EB110 SS

Overall, the EB110 SS design saved about 330 pounds in weight compared to the GT. Despite being spartan in the cockpit, it did in fact have air-conditioning, but few other luxuries. In fact the glovebox does not have a door on it, again designed to keep the weight down.

interior of the Bugatti EB110 supersport

Engine

The EB110 Supersport ‘Le Man’s’ is equipped with a 3.5-liter, 60-valve V12 engine with four turbochargers giving it the capability to go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.94 seconds.

enigine of the Bugatti EB110 Supersport Le mans

This particular engine was modified with a larger induction system and slightly larger turbochargers bumping up the output to 700 horsepower at 8250 rpm.

engine

Owner History of the EB110 SS Le Mans

This EB110 SS Le Mans was previously under the custody of Japanese collector Yoshiyuki Hayashi. The vehicle was then imported into California after being purchased by former racecar driver Bruce Canepa.

supersport

In 2008, Peter Mullin acquired the car from Bruce Canepa to be part of the Bugatti marque collection. The example is in the United States strictly for display purposes, as it has no title documents.

Bugatti

Specification’s of the Bugatti EB100 SS Le Mans

Chassis number  ZA9BB02E0RCD39022 
Body type  Supersport 
Number made  139 EB110, 3 EB110 SS Le Mans 
Production span  1991-1995 
Top Speed  232 
Body Aluminum and carbon/Kevlar fiber, mechanically fixed and bonded to the carbon chassis, integral roll cage, 2-door, 2 places 
Chassis features  Carbon fiber composite manufactured by Aerospatiale/Bugatti 
Front brakes type  Ventilated 
Rear brakes type  Ventilated 
Front suspension type  Double wishbone, pull-rod operated shock absorbers 
Rear suspension type  Double wishbone, twin gas-pressure shock absorbers
Length 14’ 5” 
Height (Ground line to highest roof)  3’ 9” 
Width  6’ 4” 

Engine Details

Engine number  0123 
Number of cylinders  12 
Engine construction  Aluminum 
Engine position  Longitudinally mounted mid-engine 
Displacement  3498 
Distribution  4 turbochargers; double-overhead camshaft 
Fuel feed system  Bugatti multipoint fuel injection 
BHP at 8250 RPM  612 
Transmission  4-wheel drive, 7-speed transmission 
Gearbox  Manual 
Number of gears 
Overdrive 

[Source: Mullin Automotive Museum]