The Bugatti EB110 is one of the greatest supercars ever made. It was the only car built under the Romano Artioli incarnation of the company, and it is now regarded as an icon of the 1990s and one of the most valuable when they come up for sale.
In July 2026, a Dauer 1998 Bugatti EB110 SS came up that would go under the hammer at Monterey 2026. Dauer would build three Super Sport models and a GT after acquiring the remaining stock of the supercar. The remaining chassis were then used to build five Dauber EB110 Super Sport Light Weight supercars, of which this is one.
Power was increased, and the weight was reduced, and these would become just as collectible as the original EB110s. So when this example, the only one ever made in exposed carbon fiber, was slated to go to auction in Monterey via Mecum, it was expected to go for a huge amount of money.
And the car did indeed set a record-high bid. However, despite this, the supercar didn’t actually sell. Incredibly, this supercar failed to reach its reserve price, meaning that there will be further negotiations to see if the car can be sold.
This Is the Only Exposed Carbon Fiber Bugatti EB110
As one of the Dauer-built cars, this EB110 was always going to fetch good money. The five Super Sport Light Weight examples had the power increased to 645hp from the original 553hp of the GT, and 603 hp of the Super Sport models. Dauer also succeeded in shedding some weight from the car.
The company was able to reduce the weight by 230kg/507lbs, with the body being made of carbon fibre. The top speed of these machines was rated at 230mph. Dauer managed to increase power further to 705hp with a sports exhaust and modified ECU, which were both available as a factory option. Out of those cars, this is the only one that was finished in an exposed carbon fibre body, with a clear lacquer applied to protect it.
This particular car also features the sports exhaust and modified ECU, meaning it has the extra horsepower. Only 6,025 miles are on the odometer, and as the images show, the car is in immaculate condition. Everyone at Monterey expected the car to sell for a record price, with the announcer even asking $10 million for the car right from the word go. Perhaps unsurprisingly, that price was not matched, so bidding had to start lower.
Why Did This Bugatti EB110 Fail To Sell?
Bidding then started at $1 million, with the price quickly rising to $3 million and then $4 million. However, bidding then slowed down, and it crept up in $100,000 increments up to $5 million before it finally came to a halt at $5.5 million. No more bids came through, and the auction was stopped, indicating the reserve price for the supercar was much higher. Mecum Auctions, which was selling the car, then rolled it off the stage with the “bid goes on” status attached to it.
This means that the auction house will be negotiating with bidders and potential buyers privately to try to sell the car. The car did still achieve a record with the highest bid for an EB110 ever at a public auction. Had it sold for $5.5 million, it would have easily set a record as the most expensive EB110 ever sold. Only three of the supercars have ever sold for more than $2 million. For now, the wait goes on for this supercar to find a new home.