Today’s Post by John Larsen
I received a casual email from a writer/contributor of a weekly automotive publication that I frequently do freelance photography work for. He simply asked, “Do you have any plans tomorrow?” My reply was, “Nothing that cannot be changed.”
A short time later his reply was interesting enough that I changed my schedule rather quickly, “I have an opportunity to drive a $3 million Bugatti Chiron with retired racer “Butch” Leitzinger. How would you like to join me and take some photos but you will only have 15 minutes?”
We met at an exclusive car dealership north of Toronto with the temperature hovering around the freezing point. We were greeted by Mr. Leitzinger as he was preparing the log book. Yes, just like an aircraft, this car had a log book that had to be completed each time it was driven.
The personable host driver, Butch, explained that the car and tires were not ideally suited to the current cold temperatures and, as such, the drive on public roads would be at a very casual pace. Once the standard documents were signed by the writer, we were escorted to the garage to find this incredible piece of art awaiting us.
I had a few minutes to take photos while the Chiron was sitting in the garage and then I had to run across the street to get a few more while Mr. Leitzinger drove the car out of the dealership and into the local traffic. I waited about forty-five minutes in the warmth of the dealership drooling over Lamborghinis and Aston Martins. Upon their return the writer was at the wheel of the Bugatti and I managed to get a few photos as they approached the end of their trip and drove back into the garage.
As we were ushered out of the garage so the next group of journalists could experience the Bugatti Chiron I realized that this was not just a rare opportunity but probably a once in a lifetime opportunity!
John Larsen is this blog’s Senior International Travel Correspondent, whose website is www.photograffics.com.