With only six made out of the originally planned 25, Bugatti Royale is now one of the rarest cars in the world. Bugatti first intended to sell the Royale cars to royalties, as the car's name suggests. However, even royalties could not afford to buy such luxurious cars in the time of the Great Depression. Only three of the six cars built managed to find buyers, but none of them royal.
The Royale is a large luxury car with a 4,3m wheelbase and 6,4m length. It weighs about 3 175kg and uses a 12,7-litre (12 763cc) straight-8 engine. The Royale is about as heavy as a large, modern commercial pickup but it is about 10 per cent longer. Compared to the modern Rolls-Royce Phantom, it is more than 25 per cent heavier.
The Type 41 was invented by Bugatti in answer to comments by an English lady who compared his cars unfavourably with Rolls-Royce.
The prototype had an engine of nearly 15-litre and the production version a capacity of 12,7-litre. The engine, at about 1,4m long, is one of the largest automotive engines ever made, producing over 200kW. The eight-cylinders, 125mm drilled with a stroke of 130mm, each displaced more than the engine of the contemporary Type 40 touring car. The engine was originally designed for the French Air Ministry.
The chassis has a conventional semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension system in front. Massive brake pads were mechanically operated by cables. The brakes were effective, but required considerable effort from the driver. The "Roue Royale" wheels measures 610mm in diameter.
Reflecting some traditional material and designs of the time, whalebone knobs are supplied for the driver's use, while the steering wheel is covered with walnut wood.
All the Royale models were built with different bodies and a sculpture of an elephant at the top of the radiator.
In 1928, Ettore Bugatti claimed: "This will be the year that King Alfonso of Spain gets a Royale," but the Spanish king was deposed without ever taking delivery. The first of the Royale models to find a customer was only in 1932.
The Royale, with a basic chassis and price of $30 000, was launched as the world economy collapsed in 1930.
Bugatti reportedly refused to sell one to King Zog of Albania, apparently because of his lack of manners. All six production Royales still exist. The prototype was destroyed in an accident in 1931. Each chassis has a different body and some have been refitted several times. (www.strangevehicles.com)
The Bugati Royale.
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