Rare Bugatti Royale drives into the Classic Motor Show

The Classic Motor Show’s already impressive list of display cars received a boost with the announcement that the Donington Collection’s Bugatti Royale will be a star attraction at the show, at the NEC from this Friday (9th November). This car is a faithful recreation of one of only six original cars and took over 11,000 hours to build, at a cost of £1.6m. The original cars have been sold for prices ranging from £5.5 million to a rumoured $17 million dollars.

The Bugatti Royale not only commands a big price but also a big space as it has an overall length on 21 feet and is seven feet wide with a wheelbase of 169.3 inches. Weighing over 7,000 pounds, it is powered by a 12.7 litre eight cylinder engine.

“The car is so big that it requires a specialist moving company even to bring it into the hall” said Classic & Sports Car’s publishing director Stuart Forrest. “We’ve driven the car in our latest issue, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Donington Collection, where the car can normally be seen, to display it on our stand at the Classic Motor Show. It is an incredible car to see, and there are so few of these vehicles in the world that the chance to do so at the NEC this weekend is not to be missed.”

All six production Royales still exist (the prototype was sadly destroyed in an accident in 1931), and each wears a different body, some having been rebodied several times. The Royale was built between 1929 and 1933, with just three sold to external customers. The remaining three were kept inside the company, including one which would become the personal car of Ettore Bugatti for the remainder of his days.

The Classic Motor Show is the UK’s biggest and best classic motoring extravaganza, boasting over 1,000 spectacular cars from all eras as well as a restoration theatre, live stage, around 200 car clubs and 300 traders. The show runs from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th November with tickets available on the door. For information on the Classic Motor Show, visit necclassicmotorshow.com.