Bugatti Type 59 Makes History at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance During Monterey Car Week

The Bugatti, presented by Fritz Burkard of The Pearl Collection in Zug, Switzerland, stood out among 214 entries from 16 countries.Photo byCourtesy Photo

In a historic first, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance awarded its prestigious Best of Show title to a preservation car—the 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports. This marks the first time in the event's history that a preservation car has taken top honors.

The Bugatti, presented by Fritz Burkard of The Pearl Collection in Zug, Switzerland, stood out among 214 entries from 16 countries and 29 states. Concours Chairman Sandra Button highlighted its significance, noting its storied racing history and royal connections, including a redressing by King Leopold of Belgium.

Fritz Burkard expressed his excitement, emphasizing the importance of preserving a car's original state. "To win with this car means a lot to me," he said.

Bugatti now shares the record for the most Best of Show awards with Mercedes-Benz, each having ten. The event also raised over $3 million for charity this year, bringing its total charitable contributions to over $41 million.

The 74th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, scheduled for August 17, 2025, will celebrate the centennials of Chrysler and Invicta, and the 75th Anniversary of Formula 1.