Posted on 11/12/2009 11:15:04 AM PST by Elderberry
LA MARQUE The owner of one of the worlds fastest production automobiles accidentally drove his fine-tuned, French-built car into a saltwater lagoon Wednesday.
The man, who police said was from Lufkin, was uninjured after escaping the partially submerged Bugatti Veyron as it came to rest in about 2 feet of saltwater.
The two-seater, with 16 cylinders and four turbo chargers, can reach speeds of more than 250 mph. New models sell for about $2 million.
The man, who refused to give his name, was looking at real estate in Galveston.
About 3 p.m. a low-flying pelican distracted him as he traveled north on Interstate 45 just south of the hurricane levee near Omega Bay.
The man jerked the wheel, dropped his cell phone, and the cars front tire left the frontage road and entered a muddy patch, which foiled his attempt to maneuver away from the lagoon.
The Veyrons powerful engine gurgled like an outboard motor for about 15 minutes before it died.
Police and firefighters blocked the frontage road until MCH Towing employee Gilbert Harrison carefully wenched the car away from riprap and onto the soft, muddy bank.
Its the rarest car in the world, not something you can just replace, the man said.
An Associated Press story in October mentioned a 2006 model Veyron for sale in Jonesboro, Ark., with an asking price of $1.25 million.
One of the prospective buyers was from Texas.
That Bugatti Veyron was one of only 200 made and one of only about 15 in the United States, the AP reported.
I did the same thing with my $2 million Bugatti. It must be a design flaw.
Faster, better looking, sells for a relatively cheaper 6 or 700K and is made in the USA.
Oh wow, I just noticed from the pic that the Bugati was set on downforce mode. This is full power mode. It actually requires a second key be turned on. It reconfigures the spoiler (as shown) and other parts of the car for full power (such as dropping ground clearance to about 60mm). This guy was cruising around 1000hp in a setting only advised to do on a professional course by a professional driver.
Looks like an insurance scam to me. Why the hell didn’t he turn off the engine for crying out loud? It’s not like it was sinking to the bottom of the bay.
About 3 p.m. a low-flying pelican distracted him as...
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A documentry was being filmed of Barry’s birth. The pelican playing an Academy Awarding winning part of the stork...
Guess I would stare too...
:)
That was when you were out crusing with Christie Brinkley wasn’t it?
that will buff right out
I’m sure that’ll buff right out.
Simon Cowell probably doesn't frequent Lufkin, Texas. But you are right that he has a Bugatti.
Simply put, oil or gas.
This millionaire now owns a piece of rusted junk. Gee whiz!
Saltwater and electrical systems just don’t mix.....
Yes it was!! How did you know? It was worth the $2 million just to watch her walk out of the lake soaked.
Just wondering...do marine salvage laws apply in this case?
"Formerly $2 million Bugatti crashes into lagoon..."
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