But this wasn't just any aircraft: like his cars, Bugatti's 100P was a technological marvel, featuring two engines driving concentric propellers in opposite directions. Air intakes gracefully integrated into the plane's V-tail would keep those engines cool, while unusual forward-swept wings would give the 100P a striking profile in flight. Ettore was hoping that by racing this beautiful machine — and winning — he'd burnish his brand.

But World War II soon gripped Paris, and Bugatti was forced to scuttle the project. The only 100P ever made never flew and was left to rot for a half century before eventually being restored to non-flying condition (it rests today on display in the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin).