All-original 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports takes Best of Show award at Pebble Beach Concours

Patrick Jackson •17 August, 2024

1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports which won Best of Show at Pebble Beach Concours

One of the most prestigious car awards in the world, Best of Show at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, has this year been awarded to an all-original 1937 Bugatti Type 59 Sports.

The first time the award has been presented to a 'preservation car', the Type 59 beat out 214 other vehicles from 16 countries.

This winning example was presented by Fritz Burkard, with it kept as part of The Pearl Collection in Zug, Switzerland. One of its previous owners, though, was King Leopold III of Belgium, who was responsible for the livery it still wears proudly.

Screenshot: Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance / YouTube

"I’m so happy for the car, so happy for Bugatti. This car is incredible. It [has] so much history [...] and to win with this car means a lot to me," said Burkard.
"First time a Swiss, first time a European wins, first time a preservation wins. It’s important that preservation also gets recognition, because a car can only be once original. And it drives so beautifully."

Screenshot: Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance / YouTube

This 2024 Best of Show award marks the tenth time a Bugatti has taken the gong, tying the brand with Mercedes-Benz for the most outright wins.

Other cars in the race for the award this year included a 948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Saoutchik Fastback Coupé, a 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve LeBaron Sport Phaeton, and most suprisingly a 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero Bertone Coupe from the featured wedge concepts and prototypes class.

The award has often been dominated by pre-war cars, however, with all winners since 2015 predating World War II and only seven post-war winning vehicles since its inception in 1950.

Patrick Jackson

Sub-Editor & Writer

I am an automotive journalist with more than eight years of experience across a range of online, print, and broadcast media titles.

My focus is primarily on automotive content, having launched the car review website Drive Section in 2019 and automotive adventure site Essential Drives in 2024.

I am a passionate car enthusiast with a particular interest in classic cars.

My past credits include DriveTribe, Vehicle History, Finder, ForceGT, The Weekender Herald, Supercar Blondie, and WhichCar.

Nissan slammed over electric Skyline GT-R misstep

Nissan has unveiled what could go down as one of its most controversial creations, with a small team of engineers at the company turning an R32 Skyline GT-R into a full EV.

Broad Arrow Auctions Academy of Art University Collection

February 2025 Auction Preview: Temptations Galore in the International Market

There are temptations galore as the international auction scene ramps up for 2025, according to Retro Rides market analyst and serial tyre kicker Cliff Chambers.

Holden Monaro designer Mike Simcoe to retire after 42 years with General Motors

Australian automotive designer Mike Simcoe has announced his pending retirement after an illustrious 42-year tenure with at General Motors which saw him pen iconic designs for both our market and the rest of the world.

More inEuropean

Retro-styled Renault 5 named 2025 European Car of the Year

Officially the Renault 5 E-Tech, and also sold by sister company Alpine as the hotted-up A290, the EV hatch twins beat out the Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën ë-C3/C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster and Kia EV3 on the way to the European Car of the Year title.

Almost Great: Audi 100 CD

One more piston may have made the difference to this classic 1980s mid-size executive sedan from Audi.

Unicorn: NSU Ro 80

The NSU Ro 80’s innovative aerodynamic design and unusual rotary powertrain wowed an auto-curious public at the Frankfurt motor show, but a decade later the car hailed by is manufacturer as “the ideal car” was killed off, with less than 40,000 units made.