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Topic starter
29/03/2026 9:59 am
A major styling cue that dominated the '60s and '70s body designs was not exactly an innovation. Perhaps the most striking examples are the six Bugatti Royale Type 41 chassis built starting in 1932 with chassis #4111 that was bought by Armand Esders who had the body designed as a 2 seat, dual cowl (for the "dicky seat") open top roadster. The most notable about the design is the lack of headlamps as Esders refused to drive at night. This beast had plenty of power with the Royale's 778 cid straight 8. Derived from an aircraft engine with the block measuring 4.5 feet long, it produced 300 HP at a mere 1500 rpm. Although that chassis still exists, as do the other 5 Royales, it was sold in 1938 and rebodied to a closed Coupe de Ville and it exists with that body today. Bugatti collectors, the Schlumpf brothers recreated the Esders and it now resides in their Cité de l'Automobile museum. Here's chassis #4111 as it exists today:
Here's the well executed Franklin Mint model of the Esders:
Armand Esders in 1932:
29/03/2026 10:20 am
Interesting information Rich. I have the Esders in both 1/24 and 1/43 scales.
29/03/2026 10:09 pm
Another great read, model AND pics Rich.💯😎
Rich Sufficool and michaeldetorrice reacted
30/03/2026 3:05 am
I think the first thing to note is the improvement FM made over the Coupe Napoleon, notably the engine and dash. I've been a Royale 'tragic' ever since adding the Napoleon in the late 80s. I was always hoping one day FM would make 1/24 replicas of all 6 (7)) cars but no luck. So I've added a couple of kits including painting the Cabriolet Weinberger in its original colors. As a long term project I'm attempting to make a Coupé de ville Binder out of a Napoleon 1/24 kit. Slow going and I am getting help, primarily with the drivers windscreen which is being scratch built. Thanks for the pics and write up Rich.
Rich Sufficool and John Bono reacted
30/03/2026 8:34 am
Geoff, looks like it's coming along nicely.I think the first thing to note is the improvement FM made over the Coupe Napoleon, notably the engine and dash. I've been a Royale 'tragic' ever since adding the Napoleon in the late 80s. I was always hoping one day FM would make 1/24 replicas of all 6 (7)) cars but no luck. So I've added a couple of kits including painting the Cabriolet Weinberger in its original colors. As a long term project I'm attempting to make a Coupé de ville Binder out of a Napoleon 1/24 kit. Slow going and I am getting help, primarily with the drivers windscreen which is being scratch built. Thanks for the pics and write up Rich.
John Bono
North Jersey
Geoff Jowett reacted
30/03/2026 9:04 am
Look forward to seeing the end results Goeff. I too would like to have seen all of the models being done by FM.