- Vintage show's victor: Scratch-marked Swiss Bugatti
At the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in sunny California, the spotlight usually shines on immaculately restored classic vehicles. But this year, the coveted title went to a 90-year-old Bugatti, boasting numerous scratches. Current owner, Swiss collector Fritz Burkard, has faithfully maintained the classic racer in its original state, outshining over 200 meticulously polished competitors.
Originally constructed for the racetrack, the Bugatti Type 59 was an exceptional machine. After the 1935 racing season, designer Ettore Bugatti withdrew from Grand Prix events. He then transformed the vehicle into a road sports car in his Molsheim, Alsace factory. Despite the change, the Type 59 continued to garner accolades on the track. In 1937, the car was acquired by Belgian King Leopold III, who had it repainted from its traditional blue color scheme to black with a yellow stripe.
The historic triumph of the scratched-up Bugatti at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance signaled a changing trend, which began to take shape last year. The judging panel is now paying more attention to vehicles with imperfections that have been conservatively preserved, rather than showroom-perfect restorations. In 2021, another pre-war racer, an Alfa Romeo from 1932, finished among the top three contenders for the grand prize.
The Manufacture of the original Bugatti Type 59 took place in Ettore Bugatti's Molsheim, Alsace factory, where it was transformed from a racetrack machine to a road sports car. Despite the vehicle's new purpose and the addition of scratches, its exceptional qualities still earned it recognition, as demonstrated by its notable triumph at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
