Bugatti Type 41 Royale
The ultimate expression of automotive hubris and pre-war opulence.
- Power
- 300 bhp
- Top speed
- 124 mph
- Est. value
- $15m–$25m
About the Bugatti Type 41 Royale
The Bugatti Type 41, better known as the Royale, was Ettore Bugatti's attempt to build the most luxurious car in history, intended for European royalty. Its massive 12.8-litre straight-eight engine was derived from an aircraft design and was so large that unused units were later repurposed to power French high-speed railcars. Despite its grandeur, the Great Depression meant only three of the seven produced were ever sold to customers. Today, all six surviving examples are considered among the most valuable and culturally significant automobiles in existence, representing the absolute peak of bespoke coachbuilding.
Bugatti Type 41 Royale specs
The Bugatti Type 41 Royale produces 300 bhp (224 kW) and 1,186 Nm (875 lb-ft) of torque. It has a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).
| Make | Bugatti |
|---|---|
| Model | Type 41 Royale |
| Trim | 12.7 |
| Years | 1927–1933 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Coupé |
| Country | France |
| Production | About 7 built |
| Original price | About $30,000 when new |
| Engine | 12.8-litre straight-8 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 12,763 cc (12.8 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 300 bhp (224 kW) at 1,800 rpm |
| Torque | 1,186 Nm (875 lb-ft) |
| Redline | 2,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 3,175 kg (7,000 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 94 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Bugatti Type 41 Royale worth?
A typical Bugatti Type 41 Royale is estimated to be worth $15,000,000 – $25,000,000 (about £11,190,000 – £18,640,000).
Its original price when new was about $30,000.
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Bugatti Type 41 Royale rarity in CarSpot
The Bugatti Type 41 Royale is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Bugatti Type 41 Royale fun facts
- Ettore Bugatti famously refused to sell a Royale to King Zog of Albania, claiming the monarch's table manners were 'beyond belief'.
- The radiator is topped by a 'dancing elephant' mascot, sculpted by Ettore's brother Rembrandt Bugatti.
- During WWII, three Royales were bricked up behind a false wall at the Bugatti family home in Ermenonville to hide them from the Nazis.
