Swiss Bugatti with scratches wins classic car show
Published: Monday, Aug 19th 2024, 21:50
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At the classic car show in Pebble Beach, California, the spotlight is traditionally on lavishly restored classic cars, but this year the top prize went to a 90-year-old Bugatti with lots of scratches. The owners over the past decades - currently the Swiss collector Fritz Burkard - left the former racing car untouched. More than 200 shiny cars were left behind.
The Bugatti Type 59 was originally built exclusively for the race track. However, after the 1935 season, designer Ettore Bugatti withdrew from Grand Prix racing and the vehicle was converted into a sports car for the road at his factory in Molsheim, Alsace. Racing drivers still won prizes with it. In 1937, the car was bought by the Belgian King Leopold III. Bugatti had the racing car repainted for him from blue to black with a yellow stripe.
For the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, the world's most prestigious classic car show, the Bugatti's victory cements a turnaround that began last year. The jury pays more attention to imperfect-looking vehicles that have been maintained in their original condition without expensive restoration. Last year, one such 1932 Alfa Romeo was among the three nominees for the main prize.
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