1931 Bugatti Royale outside Henry Ford Museum, 1968

THF136893 / 1931 Bugatti Royale outside Henry Ford Museum, 1968
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Artifact Overview

The Henry Ford acquired its 1931 Bugatti Royale in 1958. The French-built luxury car remains one of the most popular vehicles in the museum's collection. This photo shows the Bugatti's elegant instrument panel. Donors Charles and Esther Chayne redid the car's interior to suit their tastes, including replacing the original wood steering wheel with the green Tenite model seen here.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

1968

Subject Date

1968

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2018.0.4.P.B.50043

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 8.125 in
Width: 10 in

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    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.
1931 Bugatti Royale outside Henry Ford Museum, 1968