Editor's note: They say that what goes around comes around, and that has certainly been true of late in the automotive world. One magazine, when commenting on Ford's latest offerings, stated, "Ford has officially run out of ideas!" That's a bit on the harsh side, because we actually like what they've recently done to their old GT-40 design. Neo-classic cars were certainly the rage in the kit and replicar market a few decades ago, and many of them are still being driven today (the recent NCKCC kit meet in Nor-Cal had several MBZ 500Ks and Auburn-type cars in attendance).
So why not re-examine the genre in the biggest way possible? The original Bugatti Royale was one of the largest, and possibly one the most expensive cars ever built (the tab was $42,000 in 1931-during the Depression!). Assembled on a wheelbase of 180 inches (later versions brought it down to only 170 inches), everything about the car said "big." By the numbers: The hood was 7 feet long, and the engine was a 14.7L eight-cylinder (complete with a 300lb crankshaft) that totaled 5 feet in length. The overall length of the car was more than 21 feet, and the tires were 38 inches in diameter. Though only six were made between 1927 and 1931, they do come up for sale occasionally. In the early '90s, one reportedly sold for $15 million, making it one of the highest prices ever paid for a vehicle (but far from the record of $24 million for a vintage MBZ factory race car).
The idea behind this monthly column is to stimulate both readers and manufacturers, giving each a little more food for thought. Feeling hungry? -Eric Geisert
Illustrated concepts and kit car reproductions have one cool thing in common: It's a great way to modify, cut up, hot rod, reshape, customize, and/or otherwise fool around with a certified genuine exotic or priceless classic and be able to get away with it! The original car remains unviolated, so purists can sleep soundly. Yet us fun-lovin' hot rodders can go off on wild flights of fancy and wow the crowds with our individual creations.
Case in point: When was the last time that you had seen a customized Bugatti Royale? In fact, when was the last time you've actually seen a Royale at all? Why not make your own? If you build your own, you can build it to any size you want, even though the original Royale is a pretty imposing automobile.
I think big-block power is a must, or go nuts with a Viper V-10 or a Falconer V-12 motor. As long as we're lookin' at the engine compartment, I modified the hood louvers on this Royale, slanting them back to match the windshield angle, much like on a Duesenberg, and stretched the hood a few inches, too.
The wheels are custom-built aluminum rollers in a 20-/22-inch combo for an imposing look. Plus, I added the "pilot Ray" driving lights with those yellow bulbs up front, custom side-view mirrors, hidden door hinges, a rear spare tire, and the signature Bugatti side body sculpturing with two-tone paint. Wanna shake up the troops at Pebble Beach, or maybe just at the local grocery store? Show up with this beast!