A Bugatti Mistral, owned by Dr. Gordon Vanscoy, has been awarded the first-ever duPont REGISTRY Best in Show Award at the Cars on Fifth event in Naples, Florida – now part of the duPont REGISTRY Group – an honor befitting what is not merely a hypercar, but a historic milestone in the Bugatti lineage.
The duPont REGISTRY Award is a sculptural masterpiece born from the hands of Pininfarina, embodying the perfect blend of Italian elegance and American luxury. This prestigious accolade will be presented to the standout vehicles deemed the “Best of the Best” across duPont REGISTRY Group's multiple exotic and luxury car shows throughout the United States.
The Mistral was never a car one could simply order. Acquisition came strictly by invitation from Bugatti. From specification to delivery, the process took three years, culminating in March 2025 with the arrival of the first Mistral delivered to North America. Just 99 examples exist worldwide, and production is entirely sold out.
Named after the powerful, cold northwest wind that sweeps from France’s Rhône Valley into the Mediterranean, the Mistral symbolizes speed, freedom, and raw natural force. In Dr. Vanscoy’s case, that force takes on a uniquely personal identity.
This bespoke specification—finished in Blanc, French Racing Blue, and Nocturne – has been christened “Angele.” It serves as a luminous counterpart to the owner’s black and ruby Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, aptly named “Diable.” Together, the pair represent duality: light and shadow, elegance and menace.
A Rolling Sculpture
Inside, the Mistral’s cabin elevates automotive design into haute craftsmanship. The centerpiece is an intricately machined aluminum gear shifter housing Rembrandt Bugatti’s famed “dancing elephant” sculpture, encased in crystal glass. It is not merely a design flourish, but a continuation of Bugatti heritage dating back to the marque’s earliest masterpieces.
Even the delivery reflected the car’s stature. The Mistral was shipped via jet in a custom wooden crate – an arrival befitting a mechanical crown jewel.
The Final W16 Roadster
Beyond its elegance lies staggering performance. The Bugatti Mistral is powered by an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine producing 1,578 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque, sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to an all-wheel-drive system. Its capabilities border on the surreal:
- 0–60 mph: 2.4 seconds
- 0–100 mph: 4.0 seconds
- 0–124 mph: 5.6 seconds
- 0–186 mph: 12.1 seconds
- Top speed: 282 mph, making it the world’s fastest roadster
At full throttle, the quad-turbo system consumes 1,000 liters of air per second. A full tank of fuel would last just nine minutes under maximum attack. These are numbers that redefine the upper limits of internal combustion performance – and the Mistral stands as the final roadster to carry Bugatti’s legendary W16 engine.
A Defining Moment at Cars on 5th
Cars on 5th has quickly become one of Florida’s premier luxury automotive showcases, drawing collectors, enthusiasts, and industry leaders from across the country. To debut the duPont REGISTRY Best in Show Award at this event was intentional: it recognizes not simply beauty, but significance. The Mistral embodies both.
It represents the end of an era for Bugatti’s W16 platform, the pinnacle of bespoke hypercar craftsmanship, and the type of invitation-only exclusivity that defines the highest echelon of the collector market.
For Dr. Vanscoy, the award marks a celebration of patience, vision, and passion. For Cars on 5th, it ensured that the first-ever duPont REGISTRY Best in Show winner would be nothing short of extraordinary.
The next duPont REGISTRY Group event is the Miami Concours, and you can buy tickets here.
Images: Cars on 5th
