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This is the most extensively modified of all Type 59s. After its Grand Prix career, it was used as a sports car for several seasons, usually by Jean-Pierre Wimille. In 1936, it made a victorious debut in the Grand Prix du Comminges as a sports car. During its career the body was further developed and the chassis restamped '57248', presumably to hide its Grand Prix origins. Lovingly dubbed 'Grand-Mère,' the Type 59 served Wimille very well throughout 1937, scoring several major wins.
At the end of the 1937 season Ettore Bugatti sold the car to Kind Leopold of Belgium, who was a great car enthusiast. Before taking delivery, he had the car painted black with a yellow stripe; Belgium's official racing color. Since then chassis 57248 has only had very few owners, who all respected its highly original condition. Beautifully preserved, it was driven up the hill at Goodwood in 2009 by Classic & Sports Car editor Mick Walsh, who was working on the definitive Bugatti Type 59 book. While in Belgian ownership, it was regularly raced and demonstrated at Goodwood.
In 2020, it was consigned to Gooding’s Passion of a Lifetime sale along with the rest of the collection. It topped the sale and joined a formidable private, Swiss collection. It has since been shown at a variety of events including the 2022 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. At Pebble Beach, it made history by becoming the very first preservation class car to win the coveted ‘Best in Show’ award.
| Chassis details |
| Manufactured in |
1934 |
| First owner |
Automobiles Ettore Bugatti |
| Last known location |
Pearl Collection |
| Appearances |
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| Most recent auction(s) |
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Type 59 Sports Roadster
