2006 Bugatti 16.4 Veyron Coupe

The accolades of the Bugatti Veyron have been well documented, dramatized and analyzed from nearly every possible vantage point. What a colossal of an automobile. But for all of the records achieved by the 16-cylinder exotic none can touch combining the mind-bending speed with the fact of being the very first production model, at least not unless the Veyron in question is the first, 001.

When completed in 2006, chassis 001 afforded the public, albeit a very exclusive public, the first awe-inspiring supercar since the McLaren F1 of the 1990s. But what the McLaren achieved in cutting-edge simplicity and rawness, the Veyron bested in true Bugatti style, adding elegance and luxury to brutish, blood-curdling, face-warping performance.

Although three hundred examples of the Bugatti Veyron coupe would be produced, this car, chassis 001, would perhaps be the most important supercar of the early 21st century. Sure, there were certainly others, and there are certainly other supercars, but this one remains the first, the first of what has to be, to date, the most technologically advanced car in history.

Chassis 001 would be finished in an elegant two-tone color scheme of red and black and would first make its way to Beverly Hills, California. It would be a momentous occasion for those at Bugatti as the delivery represented the culmination of a dream that had been some eight years in the making.

Replete with incredible technological advancements including its hydraulically-operated rear spoiler, carbon-ceramic disc brakes, seven-speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox and no less than two V-8 engines and four turbochargers coupled together, the Veyron would not merely represent the pinnacle, but a whole new altitude reached in supercar design. Despite being a bit beefy in the weight department, the more than 1,000 horsepower ensure that chassis 001 is capable of reaching more than 250mph!

It was perhaps fitting 001 was first delivered to Beverly Hills. A setting known for its movie stars and extravagance, there was really no other supercar at the time that represented extravagance, even a bit of eccentricity, like the Veyron.

The car has remained a fixture around the Beverly Hills area. Fitting right in, 001 has been at home in California for nearly a decade. However, the car has not been limited in its travels. In fact, being perhaps the most important Veyron ever produced the car has not been sitting idle in some garage. One trip that was an absolute must would come just this year.

Veyron, chassis 001, would be prepped for shipping and would end up on its way overseas in early 2015. Bugatti was bringing its production of the Veyron to an end after ten years and just 450 examples.

In anticipation of the celebration of Bugatti's 10 year production run of the Veyron at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show, chassis 001 would be shipped to Europe for the occasion. The first had to be there with the last. This was only appropriate and right in remembrance of such a remarkable supercar.

The iconic, ground-breaking and momentous Bugatti Veyron, chassis 001, would be offered to the public for sale as part of the RM Sotheby's auction held in Monterey in August of 2015. Though nearly a decade old, the Veyron remains virtually brand new with less than 800 miles accumulated over the years.

A modern collectible for sure, there is no question as to the place the Veyron occupies within the collector car world. But, if there is one that stands above the rest, this would be it. As a result of its importance, chassis 001 would garner pre-event estimates ranging from $2,500,000 and $3,000,000, noteworthy estimates for the final homage to Bugatti's return to greatness.

By Jeremy McMullen