Revisiting the Legend: Car and Driver's Iconic Bugatti Veyron Review

Every car enthusiast has those unforgettable reads from car magazines—articles so evocative they embed themselves into your mind. Whether it's a profile of an intriguing figure, a review of a dream car, or a quirky feature story, these pieces become part of your automotive psyche. One such immortal piece is John Phillips' 2008 review of the Bugatti Veyron in Car and Driver, which recently resurfaced on the magazine’s Instagram page. Let’s dive back into this poetic tale of hypercar grandeur and absurdity.

Phillips embarked on an adventure, taking the Veyron to a Kruse Auction in Auburn, Indiana. As he recounted, the reactions from onlookers and auction-goers were as extraordinary as the car itself. The Veyron, a pioneer in the hypercar segment, was not just a marvel of engineering but a spectacle on wheels. Phillips described the driving experience as akin to “carrying a 14.6-foot-long open wallet that is spewing 50-dollar bills,” capturing the absurd attention and fascination the car garnered wherever it went.

“Drivers rush up from behind, tailgating before swerving into either of the Veyron’s rear-three-quarter blind spots, where they hang out of windows to snap photos with their cell phones. They won’t leave, either, because they know the Bugatti, averaging 11 mpg, can’t go far without refueling and that its driver will soon need to take a minute to compose himself.”

The review brilliantly intertwined technical details with lively prose. Phillips dismissed the need for hyperbole, stating that the facts of the Veyron were impressive enough. And indeed, they were. With a 1,001-horsepower engine and a $1 million price tag, the Veyron shattered records and set new standards. Its McLaren F1-beating 253 mph top speed left competitors in the dust. At a time when cars like the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT were making waves, the Veyron stood unparalleled.

The Veyron’s influence was universal, leaving even seasoned car aficionados spellbound. At the auction, as Phillips parked the Veyron next to vintage beauties and a line of Lamborghinis, the Bugatti stole the show every time. One particularly memorable encounter involved a woman who, upon seeing the Veyron, declared with absolute conviction, “It looks like the devil... I am going to buy one.” She had the means to back up her claim, showing Phillips a photo of her Hispano-Suiza in Madrid.

“All persons who stumble upon a Veyron are moved to speak: ‘I’ll bet that car has more moves than a monkey on 18 feet of grapevine,’ said one. ‘If that’s your car,’ said a blonde, ‘I’ll marry you.’ ‘It’s like a good movie,’ said another. ‘Contains violence, obscenity, possible nudity.’ (We’re not sure what that meant.)”

This lucid portrayal by Phillips resonated deeply. For many—including a young car enthusiast enchanted by hypercars—the Veyron remained an epitome of automotive excellence. It wasn’t just a car; it was a symbol of ambition, of reaching beyond the conventional boundaries of performance and luxury.

Such was the magnetism of the Veyron that it overshadowed everything around it. Even amidst a crowd of impressive automobiles, it commanded attention like a rock star. The tale of Phillips and the Veyron at the Kruse Auction remains iconic, capturing the essence of what it's like to handle a vehicle of such unprecedented prestige and power.

It’s no wonder that Car and Driver’s decision to feature only a small mention of the Veyron on its cover, instead of dedicating it the space it deserved, feels almost ironic in hindsight. While countless Corvette reviews have come and gone, blending into a sea of sameness, Phillips' Veyron review stands the test of time. Even now, almost two decades later, it’s a story that continues to captivate, reminding us of an era when the boundaries of automotive possibility were being redrawn. For anyone passionate about cars, Phillips’ review is a must-read, a poetic reverie of hypercar exuberance that will leave you yearning for more.

So, whether you were around during the Veyron’s debut or discovering it anew, dive into this legendary review and let the magic of the Veyron transport you to a world where the extraordinary becomes the everyday.