The third model in Bugatti’s Legends edition, which was unveiled in Dubai in November 2013, was dedicated to Meo Costantini. Meo Costantini was a trusted friend of company founder Ettore Bugatti, and the longstanding head of the factory team. Costantini took part in races himself and represents the most successful era in Bugatti’s racing history. On two occasions, he won what was then the most famous and important circuit race in the world, the Targa Florio in Sicily, in a Bugatti Type 35.
Ettore Bugatti’s cars from the 1920s were characterized by lightweight design and a technical aesthetic. The Type 35 was one of the most successful race cars of all time. The Vitesse “Meo Costantini” is hence also an homage to the Type 35.
A MODERN INTERPRETATION OF A MOTORSPORTS LEGEND
The carbon body elements were painted in a newly developed color, “Bugatti Dark Blue Sport”, in reference to the classic French racing colour and the Type 35. The wings, doors, “medallions” and corners of the front bumper are made of hand-polished aluminum. Bugatti is the only manufacturer of production cars to offer bodyshells with polished visible aluminum. The outline of the historic Targa Florio racecourse appears in blue on the silver underside of the rear wing. Costantini’s signature is laser-engraved onto the petrol and oil filler caps and painted silver.
LASER-ENGRAVED MOTORSPORT HISTORY
Inside the car, Costantini’s signature can be found on the headrests. The outline of the Targa Florio also makes another appearance here, in the form of a milled and polished aluminum relief on the lid of the rear storage compartment. The racing scenes and images of vintage cars on the doors provide a unique interior highlight. They were laser-engraved into the leather paneling with the greatest of precision and attention to detail. They show the most glorious moments of Meo Costantini’s racing career and the fascinating world of motorsports in the third decade of the last century.
