Rare Car Archive

Makes › Bugatti France › Type 41 Royale · Rare production · Historically significant · Coachbuilt · 1927–1933 Ultra Rare

Bugatti
Type 41 Royale

Ettore Bugatti’s enormous luxury car, “a vehicle for emperors, kings and queens”. Only six were built and all six still exist.

Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Category:Bugatti Type 41 Napoleon coupe (M.N.A.0911) 1930 (chassis 41-100b))
Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Category:Bugatti Type 41 Napoleon coupe (M.N.A.0911) 1930 (chassis 41-100b))
Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0
6Built · BugattiFactory reported
7Including the original prototypeIndependently researched
6Chassis documentedin this archive
6SurvivingFactory reported
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
6 Built · Bugatti
Years
1927–1933
Engine
Inline eight-cylinder, three valves per cylinder · 12,800 cc / 12.8 LFactory: 12.8 L
Power
221 kW / 300 PSFactory: 300 PS
Top speed
200 km/hFactory: 200 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Ettore Bugatti
Surviving
6 (factory reported)

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

Bugatti planned around 25 Royales but built only six, selling four. Its 12.8-litre straight-eight was the basis of the engines that powered French railcars for more than two decades.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityUltra Rare 6 · Built · Bugatti1,2,3
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityHistorically Unique Built for royalty; engines later powered French railcars.
Survival rarityUltra Rare 6 · Surviving1

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

  • Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Category:Bugatti Type 41 Napoleon coupe (M.N.A.0911) 1930 (chassis 41-100b))Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Category:Bugatti Type 41 Napoleon coupe (M.N.A.0911) 1930 (chassis 41-100b))
    Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Bugatti Type 41 Royale engine)Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Bugatti Type 41 Royale engine)
    Photo: Arnaud 25 · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Bugatti Type 41 Royale engine)Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Bugatti Type 41 Royale engine)
    Photo: Arnaud 25 · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Bugatti Type 41 Royale engine)Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Bugatti Type 41 Royale engine)
    Photo: Arnaud 25 · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Bugatti Type 41 Royale engine)Bugatti Type 41 Royale (Wikimedia Commons: Bugatti Type 41 Royale engine)
    Photo: Arnaud 25 · CC BY-SA 4.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionAll Type 41 Royales built up to 1933 61,2,3Strongest evidence Manufacturer reported Factory reported
Total model productionIncluding the original prototype 74,5 Factory production Independently researched
Total model productionRoyales sold to customers 41,6 Manufacturer reported Factory reported
Total model productionAll six cars survive 61 Surviving examples Factory reported
Why more than one figure?

Seven counts the original prototype (destroyed in an accident and replaced); Bugatti counts six cars.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Selected customers received the Royale as a rolling chassis with engine and radiator; prices started at 100,000 Reichsmarks. Bodies were built by Kellner, Weymann, Binder, Weinberger, Park Ward and Bugatti itself. The prototype had an engine of almost 15 litres. Of the 25 engines built, the unused ones were adapted for Bugatti railcars, used on French railways from 1935 to 1958 – 79 ordered according to one Bugatti text, 88 produced according to another.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Type 41 Royale.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutInline eight-cylinder, three valves per cylinder2,6
Displacement 12,800 cc / 12.8 LFactory: 12.8 L1,6Also reported: 12.7 L2Wikipedia gives 12,763 cc. The prototype engine had almost 15 litres.
Bore 125 mmFactory: 125 mm7 Independently researched
Stroke 130 mmFactory: 130 mm7 Independently researchedProduction engine; the prototype engine was almost 15 litres (Bugatti).
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemSingle carburettor7 Independently researched
Power 221 kW / 300 PSFactory: 300 PS2Also reported: 300 hp6 Discrepancy
Power at 1,800 rpm6,1
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxThree-speed gearbox, multi-plate dry clutch1
Gears31
Driven wheelsRear1

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesFour-wheel cable-operated drum brakes, 455 mm drums7,8 Independently researched
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 4.3 mFactory: 4.3 m1,2Length over six metres; weight up to 3.5 tonnes depending on the body (Bugatti).
Length 5,920 mmFactory: 233 in · converted9 Independently researchedBody-dependent. Chassis 41121 (Weinberger cabriolet). Bugatti gives “over six metres” generally and “almost 6.5m” for 41111.
Width 2,100 mmFactory: 82.5 in · converted9 Independently researchedBody-dependent; chassis 41121 only.
Height 1,590 mmFactory: 62.5 in · converted9 Independently researchedBody-dependent; chassis 41121 only.
Front track 1,600 mmFactory: 63 in · converted7 Independently researchedSingle track figure given; not split front/rear.
Rear track 1,600 mmFactory: 63 in · converted7 Independently researchedSingle track figure given; not split front/rear.
Kerb weight 3,180 kgFactory: 7,000 lb · converted7,9 Independently researchedApproximate; weight basis (dry/kerb) not stated. Bugatti: up to 3.5 tons depending on body; Goodwood 2013 release: around 3 tonnes for 41111.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 200 km/hFactory: 200 km/h1Approximate.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tank 200 LFactory: 200 L1Also reported: 190 L2 Discrepancy

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

ChassisBuiltOriginal colourWhere nowStatus
41100——Cité de l’Automobile – Musée National (Schlumpf Collection), MulhouseHistorically documented

Bugatti Royale 41100 “Coupé Napoléon”

Ettore Bugatti’s own Royale, the Weymann-bodied “Coupé Napoléon”.

Coachbuilder
Weymann
Where now
Cité de l’Automobile – Musée National (Schlumpf Collection), Mulhouse
  1. Date unknown
    Ownership Kept by the Bugatti family, later acquired by the Schlumpf brothers from the Bugatti estate.10
  2. Date unknown
    Exhibition Displayed in the Schlumpf Collection, Mulhouse.5,11
5,10
41111——Volkswagen Group / Bugatti collectionHistorically documented

Bugatti Royale 41111 – Esders / Coupé de Ville Binder

Built for Armand Esders as a two-seat roadster and later rebodied by Henri Binder as a Coupé de Ville. Best of Show at Pebble Beach in 1966.

Coachbuilder
Henri Binder
Where now
Volkswagen Group / Bugatti collection
  1. 1932
    Delivery Bought by Armand Esders for 700,000 francs, as a two-seat roadster designed by Jean Bugatti.2
  2. Date unknown
    Modification Rebodied by Henri Binder as a Coupé de Ville after Esders sold it in 1938.12,2
  3. 1966
    Exhibition Best of Show, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.12
  4. 1999
    Sale Acquired by Volkswagen AG.12
2,12
41121——The Henry Ford (Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation), Dearborn, MichiganHistorically documented

Bugatti Royale 41121 – Cabriolet Weinberger

Cabriolet bodied by Ludwig Weinberger of Munich for Dr Joseph Fuchs; later rescued from a New York scrapyard and given to The Henry Ford.

Coachbuilder
Ludwig Weinberger
Where now
The Henry Ford (Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation), Dearborn, Michigan
  1. 1931
    Delivery Bodied by Ludwig Weinberger, Munich, for its first owner Dr Joseph Fuchs.13,10
  2. Date unknown
    Ownership Bought from a New York scrapyard by Charles Chayne, who later donated it with his wife Esther to The Henry Ford.13,3
3
41131——Cité de l’Automobile – Musée National (Schlumpf Collection), MulhouseHistorically documented

Bugatti Royale 41131 – Limousine Park Ward

Limousine bodied by Park Ward in London for Captain Cuthbert Foster.

Coachbuilder
Park Ward
Where now
Cité de l’Automobile – Musée National (Schlumpf Collection), Mulhouse
  1. Date unknown
    Delivery Delivered to Captain Cuthbert Foster.10
  2. Date unknown
    Ownership Later owned by Jack Lemon Burton before joining the Schlumpf Collection.10
5,10
41141——Private collectionHistorically documented

Bugatti Royale 41141 – Kellner coupé

Kellner-bodied car kept unsold by the Bugatti family. Its 1987 auction made it the most expensive car sold at auction for some two decades.

Coachbuilder
Kellner
Where now
Private collection
  1. 1950
    Ownership Acquired from the Bugatti family by Briggs Cunningham around 1950.10
  2. 1987
    Auction Sold at Christie’s, Royal Albert Hall, London, for £5.5 million (reported in US dollars as about $9.7–9.9 million). 5,500,000 GBP10,14
10
41150——Private collection (Europe)Historically documented

Bugatti Royale 41150 – Berline de Voyage

Kept unsold by the Bugatti family and hidden during the Second World War. Sold in 2021 to a European collector.

Where now
Private collection (Europe)
  1. 1940
    Historical event Hidden at Ermenonville during the Second World War.4
  2. 2021-03
    Sale Sold by the Blackhawk Collection to a European collector; price undisclosed.4
4

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

DateChassisEvent
198741141Sold at Christie’s, Royal Albert Hall, London, for £5.5 million (reported in US dollars as about $9.7–9.9 million). 5,500,000 GBP10,14
199941111Acquired by Volkswagen AG.12
2021-0341150Sold by the Blackhawk Collection to a European collector; price undisclosed.4

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

  • Cité de l’Automobile – Musée National (Schlumpf Collection) · Mulhouse, France – 41100Google Maps
  • The Henry Ford (Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation) · Dearborn, Michigan, United States – 41121Museum websiteGoogle Maps
  • Cité de l’Automobile – Musée National (Schlumpf Collection) · Mulhouse, France – 41131Google Maps

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The six cars are 41100, 41111, 41121, 41131, 41141 and 41150. Some sources count seven by including the original prototype. The Esders roadster on display in Mulhouse is a reproduction; the original chassis 41111 now carries Binder Coupé de Ville bodywork.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Bugatti Legends: Type 41 “La Royale” – a royal vehicle Level A Bugatti (newsroom)
    • “six models of the super-car were built”
    • “All vehicles still exist today.”
    • “only four of them were sold”
    • 12.8-litre
    • maximum output at only 1800 revolutions
    • Multi-plate dry clutch and three-speed gearbox
    • three-speed gearbox
    • rear-wheel drive
    • “With a wheelbase of 4.3 meters”
    • “to around 200 km/h”
    • 200-litre tank
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  2. 2
    Bugatti presents the Type 41 Royale at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013 Level A Bugatti (newsroom) · 2013
    • “he only managed to build six vehicles in total”
    • “a 12.7-litre engine with the 3 valves per cylinder”
    • 12.7-litre
    • “approximately 300 PS at less than 2,000 revolutions per minute”
    • 4.3m across the wheelbase
    • “a 190-litre tank”
    • “bought the Royale back in 1932 for 700,000 Francs”
    • Esders sold the car in 1938
    • Esders Royale
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale Convertible (object 58.86.1) Level A The Henry Ford (via Google Arts & Culture)
    • “Bugatti built only six Royales”
    • Gift of Charles and Esther Chayne
    • 1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale Convertible, object 58.86.1
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  4. 4
    Blackhawk Collection confirms sale of Bugatti Royale Level C ClassicCars.com Journal · 2021-03-23
    • “only seven cars were constructed”
    • Hidden at Ermenonville in WWII
    • Blackhawk Collection confirms sale
    • Royale Berline de Voyage 41150
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  5. 5
    Bugatti at Concours d’Elegance International Schlumpf Level C JustCars
    • “only one prototype and six production cars”
    • Weymann-bodied car known as the Coupé Napoléon, Schlumpf Collection
    • Coupé Napoléon
    • Park Ward limousine, Schlumpf Collection
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  6. 6
    Bugatti train: the story of the French railway revolution Level A Bugatti (newsroom)
    • “only four of the Bugatti Type 41 Royale were sold”
    • 12.8-litre inline eight-cylinder engine
    • 12.8-litre inline eight-cylinder
    • “up to 300 HP at 1,800 rpm”
    • at 1,800 rpm
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  7. 7
    Bugatti Type 41 Level B The Bugatti Trust
    • “Bore x stroke: 125 x 130mm”
    • “Bore x stroke: 125 x 130mm”; capacity 12763cc
    • “Carburettor: 1”
    • 4 wheel, cable operated; brake drum diameter 455mm
    • “Track: 63in (1.6m)”
    • “Weight: 7000lb (3200kg) (approx)”
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  8. 8
    Bugatti Legends: Type 41 “La Royale” – a royal vehicle Level A Bugatti Automobiles (newsroom)
    • slotted alloy wheels kept the large brake drums from overheating
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  9. 9
    1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale Convertible (object 58.86.1, chassis 41121) Level C The Henry Ford
    • Overall Length: 233 inches (chassis 41121)
    • Width: 82.5 in (chassis 41121)
    • Height: 62.5 inches (chassis 41121)
    • Weight: 7035 pounds (chassis 41121)
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  10. 10
    Royale Level C Jaap Horst (ed.) · Bugatti Revue
    • From the Bugatti estate to Schlumpf
    • Chassis 41100
    • First owner Dr Joseph Fuchs
    • Captain Cuthbert Foster
    • via Jack Lemon Burton then Schlumpf
    • Chassis 41131
    • Briggs Cunningham c.1950
    • £5.5 million
    • Chassis 41141, Kellner coupé
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  11. 11
    The inaugural Concours d’Elegance International Schlumpf Level A Bugatti (newsroom)
    • Concours d’Elegance International Schlumpf
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  12. 12
    1966 Best of Show winner Level B Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
    • Coupé de Ville by Binder
    • 1966 Best of Show
    • purchased by Volkswagen AG
    • Royale Coupé de Ville by Binder
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  13. 13
    Bugatti Type 41 Royale Weinberger Cabriolet 41121 Level C Ultimatecarpage.com
    • Weinberger cabriolet, Dr Joseph Fuchs
    • Bought from a New York scrapyard
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  14. 14
    For 20 years the Type 41 Royale was the most expensive car sold at auction Level C Jalopnik
    • Most expensive car sold at auction for 20 years
    Accessed 2026-11-11

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