Article: Holiday Snaps - Part 3

[Steve Holmes]

Steve, my memory must be at fault, as I was sure that the Schlumpf Obsession mentioned 4 Royales? I do know that when I was at the museum they were recreating one, unfinished with one of the railcar engines, as I have a photo of it. It had been taken from the workshops in it's incomplete state. I was there not overlong after the sacking by the workers, so much was as the brothers had the place

That'd be the Esders Roadster recreation Rhys. The original Esders Roadster is chassis 41111, which was re-bodied early in its life to become the Coupe de ville Binder when owned by a French politician. This is how it has looked ever since. I believe this car is currently owned by Volkswagon who use it as a show-case, as they also own Bugatti.



Because they'd attained so many Bugatti parts, the Schlumpf's started having a recreation of the Esders Roadster built in 1965, and using original drawings from Molsheim. Apparently it took five years just to complete the engine and chassis. When the Mulhouse factory was raided by the workers in 1977, it still hadn't been completed. It was quite close to completion in 1977, but obviously this was then delayed many years after the take-over.

This is what the recreation looks like now. Its displayed at the entrance to the main hall.

[rf84]

Very likely Steve. And what's more at one stage that weekend there was a near-new Veyron parked beside the marquee.
One of these days I will learn how to post photos on here and post some pics.

[rf84]

The Coupe de Ville Binder was owned in 2007 by a man by the name of Lukas Huni. He paid US $16.5 million for it in 1987. At that time it was a world record high price for an automobile.

[ERC]

Tom Wheatcroft also had a replica built. Needless to say, sold off.


I have the following novel -

The VW owned example was on show at the Petersen Museum in LA last year as part of the Bugatti exhibition.

[Steve Holmes]

Neat photos thanks Ray.

[Steve Holmes]

The Coupe de Ville Binder was owned in 2007 by a man by the name of Lukas Huni. He paid US $16.5 million for it in 1987. At that time it was a world record high price for an automobile.

For a long time they were the worlds most valuable cars. Not sure if thats still the case? I believe a couple of Ferrari 250GTOs have changed hands in recent years for around US$60 million. I don't think a Bugatti Royale has been sold for such a long time its probably impossible to know. But $16.5 million was incredible money in 1987, and a lot more that 250GTOs were selling for at the time.

[Steve Holmes]

Having left the 'Royale' hall, I entered back into the main hall to grab a photo of the mysterious 'Roland Garros' which I hadn't been able to get earlier due to other people standing in the way. This car was found in England along with a collection of spares. It was apparently never used, and never fully completed. Only a handful of these cars were built by Bugatti, starting in around 1908. His close friend Rolland Garros owned one, from which the model gained its name.

[Steve Holmes]

Exiting back out of the main hall we pass the Esders Roadster recreation once more, where I snapped a few more photos.

[Steve Holmes]

The museum was near closing time by this stage so I didn't get a chance to read the description relating to these bucks, but I assume they were made in the 1960s/70s to produce the Esders Roadster.

[Steve Holmes]

This was in the same room.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, as I head towards the exit, I pass along another long corridor which, surprise surprise, features more Bugattis. This impressive displays has five Type 57s, including one thats been restored but not completely reassembled, offering a sort of exploded view of the car and its mechanicals.

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

I hadn't quite finished this chapter when I had to switch focus to get a couple of books finished. Now, finally, I can post the last few photos and bring it to a close.

[Steve Holmes]

One last look back as I left. But I'll return for sure.

[ERC]

Thanks so much Steve. If my wife is able to return to long distance travel, I have that pencilled in as a side trip from a future European River cruise.

[Michael Clark]

My wife and I spent about four hours there two weeks ago today and it was well worth the effort - Steve, I thought we took some reasonable photos but overall, you win!

We spent a bit of time in the gift shop because the display of books was incredible - especially the comic type books on subjects such as 'Chapman', Jo Siffert and various stages of Grand Prix cars - all in French but beautifully done.

I would absolutely recommend it - passenger cars well outnumber racing cars but there was still plenty to keep us interested.