Charles Chayne with 1931 Bugatti Royale, 1947-1949

Charles Chayne acquired Bugatti Royale chassis number 41121 from a New York-area salvage yard, where it had been taken after winter ice cracked the engine block. Chayne, chief engineer at Buick, repaired the engine, replaced the interior, and updated items like the car's carburation and brakes. He and his wife Esther donated the Royale to The Henry Ford in 1958.