Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience will be closed Monday, March 16 for a day of staff learning and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience will be closed Monday, March 16 for a day of staff learning and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale Convertible

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Artifact Overview

Longer than a Duesenberg. Twice the horsepower of a Rolls-Royce. More costly than both put together. The Bugatti Royale was the ultimate automobile, making its owners feel like kings. Not only did it do everything on a grander scale than the world's other great luxury cars, it was also rare. Bugatti built only six Royales, whereas there were 481 Model J Duesenbergs and 1,767 Phantom II Rolls-Royces.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Automobile

Date Made

1931

Creators

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Chassis built by Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. in Molsheim, France; body built by Ludwig Weinberger in Munich, Germany.

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

58.86.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Charles and Esther Chayne.

Material

Metal
Chromium
Glass (Material)
Leather
Rubber (Material)
Wood (Plant material)

Color

White (Color)
Green
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 62.5 in
Width: 82.5 in
Length: 233 in
Wheelbase: 169 in
Weight: 7035 lbs

Inscriptions

Plates on sides of body: KAROSSERIE / LUDWIG WEINBERGER / MUNCHEN Below hood ornament; on engine block bottom 4 times: EB / BUGATTI Diamond shaped decal on front headlight: AGREE / AB-TP NO 247 / SCINTILLA / TYPE / 260/290 Plate on proper left top, back of engine block: ETTORE BUGATTI / MOLSHEIN BAS RHIN / CHASSIS NO 41121 / MOTEUR 73 C.V. / POIDS [BLANK] List of patents - plate on proper left middle, back of engine block: BREVETS ETTORE BUGATTI Side of passenger side door: EAC Side of driver side door: CAC On door mechanism inside door: BOMORO License plate: 54 * 842 / MICHIGAN 1931 On tires: MICHELIN 7.00 / 24 / 1.36X6.75 / COMFORT CORD S.S. / MADE IN FRANCE Metal tag inside engine area, below radiator: GARANTIE NO. 944007

Specifications

Make & Model: 1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale convertible
Model year: 1931
Maker: Ettore Bugatti, Molsheim, France
Body maker: Weinberger, Munich, Germany
Engine: inline-8, overhead cam, 779 cubic inches
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Height: 62.5 inches
Width: 82.5 inches
Overall Length: 233 inches
Wheelbase: 169 inches
Weight: 7035 pounds
Horsepower: 300
Pounds per horsepower: 23.5
Price: $43,000
Average 1931 wage: $1,388/year
Time you'd work to buy this car: about 31 years
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