VIN: the Sultan of Brunei's Bugatti EB110 SS chassis SS39013
History of chassis 39013
Most of the circa 30 EB110s built to SS specification were painted yellow, blue, silver or grey. There were also a couple of white, black, green and red cars but all bar one came with monotone paint.
The exception was chassis 39013 which was the fourth and final SS delivered to the Sultan of Brunei. It followed chassis 39001 (silver), 39002 (black) and 39003 (yellow).
During the 1980s and 1990s, the Sultan of Brunei and his brother, Prince Jefri, purchased an enormous fleet of prestige and exotic motor cars.
Flush with the proceeds of Brunei’s natural gas and oil reserves, the two men ordered high end machines by the dozen.
Additionally, the Brunei royals commissioned a large number of uniquely appointed vehicles, often with custom coachwork.
Although fairly commonplace up until the late 1950s, bespoke bodywork for private individuals was practically extinct as the 20th century drew to a close; type approval and inflexible manufacturing techniques meant that the price of one off creations had risen to well into the millions of pounds.
Although chassis 39013 retained a standard EB110 SS body, it was customised with a highly individual colour scheme.
The black base was emblazoned with red, yellow and blue stripes, colours that were repeated on the sail panel portholes and wheel spokes.
The interior was also uniquely tailored with black, yellow, blue and red seats and a multi-coloured transmission tunnel.
Once landed in Brunei, chassis 39013 was registered BN 1973.
Although one Brunei EB110 SS later made its way out of the royal collection (39001), the other three cars including chassis 39013 remain in the country.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Bugatti - https://www.bugatti.com
