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| Long ago photograph of a jubilant Michael Schumacher during the Ferrari glory days. (The Tomaso Collection |
As Schuey's Still Asleep at the Wheel!
Yeah, today marks the 51st Birthday of once
legendous' Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, for whom I'm no longer feeling
inclined towards celebrating his Birthday here upon No Fenders, since who knows
what the German's true state is?
Ja-Ja, what's that
'Ol Willie Nelson song that always makes me think of Herr Schumacher's current
plight? Oh Yeah...
Yet whilst I should be resting far away from
thou nefarious Cathode Ray glow of Ye Confuzer Screen, I'm momentarily pulled
back-in by another languishing story here upon thoust Isle 'O Nofendersville.
Hence what better segway to it than using DER
TERMINATOR', nee Michael Schumacher's past Dalliances with one Bad Arse, He-Man
1990's Supercar, Eh? As Y'all remember the Bugatti EB110, Righto?
For which I still
fondly recall 'Ol Michael scaring the Crap outta some would-be Word Hack'; Err Journalist
when taking said victim for a Demonstration Ride and summarily loop de looping
his Bugatti!
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| Michael Schumacher once owned a Bugatti EB110SS like this, a few decades ago. (Image source: autoguide.com) |
Although the Bugatti in Questione is an Abstentious
One-off that sold for an unheard of $12.5m or nearly $19 Million ($18.9m) after
Taxes! Which made its public Debut at last year's Geneva auto show.
Yet this stunning One-off' la Voiture Noire
automobile was created in Homage of thou legendous' Type 57 SC Atlantics, for
which only four examples were built prior to the second Great War, nee World
War II, between 1936-40.
As the cars were powered by a robust
3.3-liter DOHC Supercharged Straight 8 Cylinder lump' producing upwards of 170bhp.
Propelling these stunning chassis to over a then astounding 200kph! (124mph)
Reportedly three of the four vehicles still
survive today, albeit the "Second-Second" example, which was heavily Damaged
when struck by a train! Killing its occupants and subsequently being sold for
scrap METAL. Was eventually restored with new Bits' including a
"Donor" engine after its original lump' was deemed un-repairable.
Although this
subsequent restoration has caused its authenticity being challenged and simply
deemed a Replica! Which bears the Questione why Messer Lauren's chassis isn't
diminished due to his insistence upon re-spraying it the wrong colour.
Whilst I'll
readily admit I'm Not a Bugatti expert in any shape or form and only follow these
Automobiles from Afar...
As one of the Type 57 SC Atlantics is known
as the Rothschild Car due to it's being originally constructed and owned by Lord
Victor Rothschild. Whilst another example is currently owned by Fashion Magnate
Ralph Lauren, who's car's original colour was Safire Blue.
Yet it's the Type 57 SC Atlantic chassis 57000
453 which was briefly Gene bugatti's personal mount, son of company founder Ettore, who's car
is the most revered, especially due to the fact that it's simply Disappeared,
and never found, making it Uber Desirable naturally!
thus the new la Voiture Noire, also in
stunning Black, albeit utilizing today's de riggour Carbon Fibre - Nods it's
Heritage towards Gene's missing automobile whilst celebrating the original
company's 110th Anniversary, ironically the very same year Gene was born.
Whilst triumph and tragedy occurred eighty years
ago, when Bugatti won its second and final 24 Heurs du Mans before Gene Died
behind the wheel of said racecar during a subsequent testing accident...
Presumably the la Voiture Noire caused such
desire from other wealthy clientele that Bugatti naturally wished to capitalize
upon it's notoriety.
Hence subsequently, Bugatti's produced the
Chiron Noire Special Edition, a "Budget" version of the One-off la
Voiture Noire for those lucky enough to possess one. Since somehow I suspect
Thars No such thing as a "budget" Bugatti Wee Wee Mon Sheeree!
As I'll skip the whole Kerfuffle over Gene, Helle
Niece' and Louis Chiron for another day, since I find it somewhat bemusing that
Bugatti's current parent company VW honours Monsieur Chiron...