History Trust sells off rare multimillion-dollar sports car
The National Motor Museum has sold one of its prized vehicles – which can reach speeds over 400 kilometres per hour – with the buyer believed to be one of Adelaide’s best-known racing enthusiasts.
The History Trust of South Australia has sold a 2008 Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 from its collection at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood with the price tag believed to be around $2 million.
An anonymous source with knowledge of the sale told InDaily that the vehicle was sold to Yasser Shahin, co-owner of The Bend Motorsport Park near Tailem Bend and executive chairman of Peregrine Foundation, but the History Trust declined to comment on “commercial arrangements”.
According to the museum’s website, the Bugatti Veyron “is an extraordinary feat of automotive engineering”.
“Only 71 were sold in 2008, so having one on display at the museum is a rare treat,” the site reads.
The French hyper sports car, which cost $2.7 million back in 2008, can reach speeds of 100 kilometres an hour in just 2.46 seconds and was the first production car in history to be able to surpass 400 kilometres per hour.
You might like
It features seven gears and special run-flat tyres that cost up to $20,000 each, while its 16-cylinder engine has a displacement of eight litres and four turbochargers.
Just 450 Bugatti Veyrons were made before production ceased in 2015, with each car weighing some 1,888 kilograms.
“With the Veyron 16.4, Bugatti not only unveiled what can be called the world’s first hyper sports car in 2005, but also achieved an unbelievable speed record,” former Bugatti president Stephen Winkelmann said about the vehicle.
Stay informed, daily
A spokesperson for the History Trust of South Australia confirmed the sale, saying that the Bugatti has been replaced by an “incredibly rare” 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which will be on display at the Finish Festival after the 2026 RAA Bay to Birdwood.
“The Bugatti was bequeathed to the History Trust and has been a major drawcard to the Birdwood Motor Museum over the past eight years,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re continually reviewing our collection and are excited that this display has now been replaced by an incredibly rare 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing just in time for this weekend’s RAA Bay to Birdwood.
“The Gullwing is considered one of the most iconic and beautiful sports cars ever built.”
The spokesperson was unable to comment on who the car was sold to and the selling price.
The National Motor Museum in Birdwood tells Australia’s motoring history and features more than 300 vehicles on display, including a Shearer steam engine from 1896.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
