The Bugatti Veyron is the automotive equivalent of the unicorn. The Bugatti name exudes class and pedigree. (Ralph Lauren owns three vintage Bugattis in addition to a Veyron.) This is precisely why I jumped at the chance to drive the brand's newest flagship, the 16-cylinder, quad-turbocharged Veyron, along the California coastal path connecting Monterey and Half Moon Bay. My escort was to be Pierre-Henri Raphanel, a former French race-car driver and Bugatti's chief ambassador who typically co-pilots the test runs.
My encounter with the Veyron came in mid-August on the heels of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, one of the world's most fabulous vintage-car extravaganzas. All the high-society auto buffs in attendance were staying at my hotel, and the parking lot contained enough precious metal to warrant its own admission fee. As I was walking outside on the morning of my drive, I was gazing so intently at all the prancing horses, winged B's, raging bulls, and other purebreds that I almost missed the grand entrance of the yellow-on-black Veyron.
My encounter with the Veyron came in mid-August on the heels of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, one of the world's most fabulous vintage-car extravaganzas. All the high-society auto buffs in attendance were staying at my hotel, and the parking lot contained enough precious metal to warrant its own admission fee. As I was walking outside on the morning of my drive, I was gazing so intently at all the prancing horses, winged B's, raging bulls, and other purebreds that I almost missed the grand entrance of the yellow-on-black Veyron.
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