PRICE OF EXCELLENCE

History amplifies value; an ordinary object becomes extraordinary when imbued with historical significance, surpassing even technological or material wealth.

An article published in the Times of India (May 1, 1990) with a London dateline reports that an old car manufactured nearly 40 years ago was recently sold for 9 million pounds. The first buyer purchased it in 1931 for 6,500 pounds. There are currently only six such cars in existence worldwide.

London: A 59-year-old Bugatti Royale has become the world’s most expensive car, drawing a price of more than £ 9 million from a group of Japanese businessmen. The 3-ton luxury saloon—one of only six of its kind in existence- surpassed the previous record price of £ 8.5 million paid last November by a Japanese buyer for a 1963 Ferrari GTO, The Sunday Times of London reported. The Bugatti cost 6,500 pounds when it was built in 1931.

No car in the world has ever been sold for such a high price, while in terms of mechanical quality, it is quite ordinary compared to a high-end car of today. The value of this car does not lie in its mechanical attributes but in its historical significance. History is more valuable than anything else—more so than advanced technology and gold and silver. An ordinary car is just a car, whereas this particular car is a historical artefact.