a Royal Ride

Bugatti's Type 41 Royale were built for royalty. The chassis itself was $30,000. Of the 6 production vehicles built, only 3 were sold and none to royalty. Ettore Bugatti actually refused to sell one to King Zog of Albania because "the man's table manners were beyond belief.".  The Royale that was to be sold to royalty (King Alfonso of Spain) was cancelled when the king was deposed.The first chassis, #41100, was one of Bugatti's personal rides. After a few body changes, this final form is known as the "Coupé Napoleon" with the coachwork by Weymann of Paris after Ettore fell asleep at the wheel and wrecked the prior body in 1930. The car now resides in the French Automotive Museum in Mulhouse.

This early Franklin Mint model shows its age a bit, but is still an impressive piece... especially with that snazzy upholstery and those 'door knocker' handles!