1929 BUGATTI Type 41 Royale 12.7

Vehicle Overview

Just six Type 41 Royale were made in Molsheim, or for some historians, seven. One was crashed and the chassis was unrecoverable, but another chassis received the same number.

It was the car that Ettore Bugatti hoped to sell it to the European royal families. But the car came n 1929 and the Great Depression lured away most of the potential buyers. Out of the six cars, only three were sold as complete vehicles. Another one was used by “Le Patron” until he passed away and the other two were sold also after his death.

The car was very long. It could easily fit another car within his wheelbase. The chassis was completed by other coachbuilders in various forms. From a three-seat coupe to phaeton or limousines. With its unusually big wheels, very long curved front fenders, and the inline-twelve engine, it was a masterpiece. It was supposed to be the most luxurious car in the world.

The bodyworks were built by the order of Bugatti to Panhard and other coachbuilders. Regardless of the exterior, all the vehicles featured exclusive and very expensive leather, silver, and wood inside the cabin. There were no shortcuts for the quality and that raised the price tag too high even for royal families.

The 12.7-liter engine was so smooth that the legend said some could put a coin standing up on the engine and not fall. The inline-eight unit offered 300 hp and the legend said that the car was able to cruise at 200 kph (124 mph).