I Got a Guy..

There exist people with very particular sets of skills. Skills acquired over long careers. Skills that make them a godsend for people like us. They are the specialists.

The Bug Man

BY MIKE DUFF

Many cars have specialists, those high-end mechanics who bring both expertise and experience to maintenance and solving problems. But no car has a specialist more special than Gianni Sighinolfi, the Italian who has lived most of his professional life in close proximity to the Bugatti EB110, from its original construction to his current role of flying doctor, traveling the world to keep examples of the rare supercar in good health.

From 1991 until it went bankrupt, Bugatti Automobili SpA built 84 examples of the original EB110 GT, 32 of the punchier Super Sports, and just three of the EB112 sedan, according to Sighinolfi. He estimates that he still takes care of around 70 percent of that total.

Some are brought to Sighinolfi’s workshop in Modena for his attention. The minimum buy-in for an EB110 these days is north of a million dollars, so owners don’t skimp on giving their cars the best treatment, even flying them around the world to receive it. But other cars wait patiently for him to come, with one U.S. dealer gathering several at a time so that Sighinolfi, now 75 years old, can see them in one visit. “My target is to decrease personal involvement, to travel less,” he says, “but of course I will remain available, like a consultant.”

Earlier in his career, Sighinolfi worked for Maserati, including on production of the Biturbo V-6 engine. He moved to Bugatti as head of the development workshop when the brand was refounded under the ownership of Romano Artioli. Later he oversaw production of the hugely complex all-wheel-drive, quad-turbo V-12 supercar in a purpose built new factory at Campogalliano. That role meant he also liaised with customers over delivery and servicing thanks to Bugatti’s pioneering three-year support package for the EB110, which even included new tires and brakes whenever required.