I'm doing a model of a 1931 Bugatti Royale Victoria, and when ever I start a model I always delve into the history and detail as to make the best model for my clients. Listen to the craftmanships that this vehicle was designed with, it'll blow yer socks off.
The Royale was designed by Ettore Bugatti to be the greatest motor car the world had ever seen, and it may well have been. With an over all body length of some twenty feet and a wheel base of 170 inches, the Royale was immense and had an overall weight of 3 tons (6,000 lbs.) Size and weight alone are not what made the Royale unique it was the engineering!
From a standing start in HIGH gear, the Royale could move out steadly and easily to over 100 MPH, and on narrow winding roads the car would manuever easily and it's ride was glass smooth. Only 7 were built and only 6 survive today.
The cost started at $25,000 and this was for the chassis ALONE! Coachwork for the chassis could easily add another $15,000 to the price of the Royale.
The engine which powered it was a 778 cubic inch, 300hp. straight 8, having a 4-1/2 ft. cast iron cylinder block with three valves per each cylinder. Bore was 4.92 inches, stroke was 5.12 inches. The 220 pound crankshaft was MACHINED from a solid NINE HUNDRED POUND billit of steel and ran in 9 water cooled bearings. The clutch is housed in it own aluminum casing under the drivers seat with the starter and generator both mounted on the CLUTCH HOUSING as there is NO FLYWHEEL on the engine.
The transmission is part of the rear axle and is driven by a short short shaft from the clutch. The trans has two forward speed, and overdrive and reverse. Low speed is used SOLELY for starting the car amd second is direct drive. Overdrive could be engaged at any speed OVER 75 mph, and and with 90mph available in second gear overdrive was rarely, if ever needed!
Man I may never brag about my 305 V-6 ever again .
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