1964 Best of Show Winner
April 25, 2020
1935 Bugatti Type 50 Coupé Profilé shown by William Harrah
The year 1964 marked the third win for Bugatti.
The Type 50, which debuted in 1930 at the height of Bugatti’s luxury line, was intended as a super-sport car offering high performance. Built on a wheelbase that was initially .4 meters shorter than the marque’s Type 46, the Type 50 had a supercharged 4.9-litre engine and twin overhead camshafts. Later “T” versions of the Type 50 reverted to the 3.5 meter wheelbase of the prior Type 46 so they could carry four-door saloon coachwork.
A total of 65 Type 50s were built between 1930 and 1934, and most had enclosed bodies. The Type 50 has been said to be the first characteristic creation of Ettore Bugatti’s son Jean, who was responsible for the bodywork styling and design of Bugatti cars from 1930 until his death in 1939.
This particular 1932 Bugatti Type 50 Coupé Profilé was owned for years by William Harrah of Reno, Nevada. It was Harrah who exhibited this car at the 1964 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, taking home the Best of Show award for the second year in a row. Ultimately Harrah would go on to record four wins at Pebble Beach.
This car is now owned by Evert Louwman of Raamsdonksveer in The Netherlands.