Preservation Bugatti Awarded Best in Show at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

For the first time in the history of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Best of Show was awarded to a preservation car—a Bugatti Type 59.

This year, 214 cars from 16 countries and 29 states pulled onto the competition field, and the car named Best of Show was a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports presented by Fritz Burkard of The Pearl Collection in Zug, Switzerland.

“This storied Bugatti, the first Type 59 built, is a rare factory race car that recorded multiple Grand Prix victories at the hands of several important racing greats—and it also has ties to royalty,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “Perhaps most importantly, it wears all of its history to this day, having been preserved in the livery it was given when redressed by King Leopold of Belgium.”

“I’m so happy for the car, so happy for Bugatti,” said owner Fritz Burkard. “This car is incredible. It’s so much history—one of the most successful Bugattis in history—and to win with this car means a lot to me. 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.”

Preservation cars have appeared on Pebble’s show field for decades, and we have hosted formal classes for them since 2001.

With this win, Bugatti and Mercedes-Benz are tied for the most Best of Show awards at Pebble Beach: ten wins each.

This year’s race for Best of Show featured other strong contenders, including the 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Saoutchik Fastback Coupé presented by Robert Kudela of Chropyně in the Czech Republic; the 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve LeBaron Sport Phaeton presented by Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati, Ohio; and, perhaps most surprisingly, the 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero Bertone Coupe, which was presented by Phillip Sarofim of Beverly Hills, California, in our history-making display of Wedge concepts and prototypes.

The competition got underway on Thursday when the majority of Concours entries participated in the 26th Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, which traces about 70 miles of scenic coastal roads. Entries that complete the Tour have the advantage if they tie in the Concours class competition.

The Pebble Beach Concours raised more than $3 million for charity this year, bringing the event’s total charitable donations to over $41 million to date. Through the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, the primary charitable partner of the Concours, these funds will benefit nearly 100 local nonprofits focused on youth education, impacting the lives of more than 10,000 children annually in Monterey County.

The 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will take place on Sunday, August 17, 2025, and will celebrate the centennials of Chrysler and Invicta, the creations of Virgil Exner, and the 75th Anniversary of Formula 1—with more features to be announced in the fall. For more information on the Pebble Beach Concours visit www.pebblebeachconcours.net.