Bugatti Type 41 Classic Cars for Sale

The Bugatti Type 41, also known as the Bugatti Royale, is one of the largest cars in the world, with a total length of just over 21 feet. It was produced from 1927 to 1933 during the height of the Great Depression.

The History of the Bugatti Type 41

The Bugatti Type 41 was created by Ettore Bugatti who wanted to create the most luxurious car the world had ever seen, but it was not a canny move. During the 1920s, Bugatti had sought to build 16 cylinder engines for the French military. The lucrative contract never materialised but Bugatti thought that using half the engine to build an elite luxury car. Unfortunately for Bugatti, of the six Royales that were built, two failed to sell. The timing was wrong; this was the height of the great economic depression and the world's leaders were reluctant to purchase the imposing vehicles. King Alfonso of Spain planned to buy one of the cars but was deposed in 1928. The car was designed to be owned by royalty but this was not to be their fate. King Zog of Albania was interested in purchasing a Bugatti Type 41, but the fastidious Ettore refused to sell one of his beloved cars to the king, pronouncing that 'the man's table manners are beyond belief!'

Key Features of the Bugatti Type 41

The Bugatti Type 41 is an elegant and beautiful car fit for a world leader. The engine was generous by any standard; with a displacement of 12.7 litres or more than 700 cubic inches - it remains the largest engine to be sold in private hands to this day. The wheelbase was 15 feet and the height of the hood was 5 feet. Inside, the steering wheel was enveloped in walnut and the controls consisted of various whalebone knobs. All Bugatti Type 41 cars were individually styled. The radiator caps, however, all featured a rather charming rampant elephant with trunk outstretched.

Production of the Bugatti Type 41

There were six Bugatti Type 41s made, each with their own title. The first to be built was the Coupe Napoleon, which was bricked up at the Bugatti home during the Second World War, to prevent it from falling into Nazi hands. The second was the Coupe de Ville Binder which was bought by Armand Esders in 1932 and was the first of the cars to be sold. Third was the Cabriolet Weinberger, which can be seen today in the Henry Ford Museum. The fourth Bugatti Type 41 was the Limousine Park-Ward; the fifth, the Kellner Car; and the sixth, the Berline de Voyage.