VIN: Bugatti EB110 SS Muletto chassis GT39008
History of GT39008
Chassis GT39008 started life as an EB110 GT prototype that served as a mule for the SS variant. It was equipped with an array of prototype features, most of which focused on cooling and aero behind the cockpit.
Painted silver with a blue interior, GT39008 made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1992 where it was presented alongside an EB110 GT (chassis GT39005). Two months later, the same pair of cars were driven by Prince Rainier and his son Albert to open the course for the ‘92 Monaco Grand Prix.
During the summer of 1992, chassis GT39008 was used for testing and development work which included time at the Nurburgring.
Following a freshen up back at the factory, it subsequently appeared at the Paris Motor Show in October 1992. By this time the car was looking more productionised, albeit wearing a set of racing decals, dark finish wheels and slick tyres.
Chassis 39008 appeared in the same livery at the Bologna Motor Show (December ‘92) and for its second appearance at Geneva (March ‘93).
Bugatti then prepared chassis GT39008 for a series of high speed test runs that would take place at Nardo in May 1993. They came away with a top speed of 218.1mph and 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds. However, as a result or prolonged running at very high speeds in extremely hot conditions, parts of GT39008’s composite tub sustained heat damage.
The stripped tub was sent to Composites Aquitaine for refurbishment as Bugatti planned to use its for work to do with the SS competition programme. However, the car was still in a dismantled state when Bugatti filed for bankruptcy in 1995.
