And You Thought You Were Having A Bad Day

[Norm]

The report was that the driver got distracted by a low flying pelican and drove off the road into the water.  And, in case your interested, that is salt water.  Apparently the car ran for about 30 minutes before it stopped running.  You can see the bubbles in the picture from the exhaust.

In case you don't immediately recognize it, that is a Bugatti Veyron, I think there are about 15 in the US at approximately $1.5 million each.

The owner was reported to be from the Lufkin, Texas area and was looking at property in the Galveston area.

[SteveK]

Look like he flew down and just missed the runway!    I wonder if you can claim salvage rights when it's in the water like that?

[Dash808]

Right now he could use propeller over the 1001 hp that they claim.        I'm sure he's got something else to drive.

[jacovdw]

It makes one wonder how he is going to explain that one to the insurance company...

[waqas]

These 'mishaps' seem like a frequent occurrence with Veyron owners. Self-selection?

[bogeyman]

I noticed the spoilers are fully deployed.
On this car, don't they raise at 100mph plus??

[hauser]

I noticed the spoilers are fully deployed.
On this car, don't they raise at 100mph plus??

I believe they also work as some type of air brake.

[SteveK]

The spoiler does deploy at 100 MPH.   

The latest write-up in the Houston press says that he owns a high end car restoration company.   Hope it was his Veyron!

[Cees Klumper]

According to the video footage of the actual crashe he sure was going slow when this happened.

Anyway - so now what - salt water can be rinsed off somehow? Probably they'll be taking the whole car apart for that, but what kind of permanent damage would be done if they can get to cleaning it out quickly enough?

[Dash808]

Anyway - so now what - salt water can be rinsed off somehow? Probably they'll be taking the whole car apart for that, but what kind of permanent damage would be done if they can get to cleaning it out quickly enough?

I'm thinking totaled.  Salvaged title at best... 

The next video where they hooked a chain to the rear and pulled it out was more painful to watch.   
Then the wrecker guy rinses his hands off with muddy water, reaches in and cranks the steering wheel over to line the wheels up as the rear bumper scrapes up onto the flatbed .   
That car is history.   

[hill]

According to the video footage of the actual crashe he sure was going slow when this happened.

Anyway - so now what - salt water can be rinsed off somehow? Probably they'll be taking the whole car apart for that, but what kind of permanent damage would be done if they can get to cleaning it out quickly enough?

The electronics will be toast. The only thing that saltwater won't wreck are fish.

[JamesL]

Extra points for those that can spot a pelican....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dcXCaSOXHY

[Dash808]

I couldn't spot a pelican anywhere.  The black bird after splash down isn't a pelican.   

[280SE Guy]

A first hand account of the Bugatti going for a swim. I didn't see a pelican in this one either:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NJmB1F2mdE