In 1910,
Bugatti had the idea of building a
car that was to be larger than a
Rolls-Royce or a
Hispano Suiza.
Ettore had planned a series limited to only 25 cars, exclusively for the real "
royals" of this world.
Only six Royales were built (the first made in 1927) – all of which have been preserved until today.
These are the largest cars ever produced for private use.
The Royale is over six metres long with a wheelbase of 4.3 metres (the hood is 2,13 metres). The 12.7-litre, eight-cylinder engine produces 300 hp at only 2,000 rpm. It is equipped with a three-speed gearbox, reaching 145 kph(!) in second gear.
It had taken Ettore Bugatti almost two decades to reach this milestone – and it brought his company to the brink of ruin.