The world’s first production Bugatti Bolide with a W16-engine is now up for sale

This is the world’s very first production Bugatti Bolide. Chassis 001. Built as the first of just 40 cars destined for Bugatti’s most exclusive customers. And now for one of you lot, assuming one of you lot has between $4.5m-$6m rattling around.

Yes folks, today’s edition of Cool Unobtainable Hypercar News comes via Gooding Christie’s auction of Bolide chassis 001, here rather resplendent in its French racing blue and ‘Nocturne Black’ outfit.

Despite being the first Bugatti Bolide delivered, it’s apparently only covered 389 miles (626km). All of those miles were experienced on a track, of course, because look at it. If this thing were allowed anywhere near a public road there’d be debates in the House of Commons.

But now you are looking at it, do not be alarmed. Though it appears terrifying – like a cautionary tale told to the other cars in your collection, ‘misbehave on cold starts again and the Bolide will get you’ – it’s actually less menacing to drive than it is to admire.

“You feel safe and secure,” said Top Gear’s Ollie Marriage when he drove the Bolide earlier this year. “And all the while, there’s this addictive thunder from behind you.” That’d be the 8.0-litre W16’s last hurrah; “the king of engines”, as we discovered.

Fancy discovering what 1,450kg, 1,578bhp and track-honed aero feels like for yourself? Then you’ll quickly need to discover between $4.5m and $6m before 15-16 August, when it’ll cross the auction block at the Pebble Beach Concours.