Hi Herman

Instead of breaking a promise to you with a private e-mail, I thought the contributors might enjoy the spectacle more if it was done in public. I promised you I will write an article on the Royales but I have decided to wait until the beginning of June. Stop pouting and give me a chance to explain why :

When I wrote the Atlantic article, I discovered many facts afterwards which should have been included, I avoided this problem for the Corsica article by upping the entertainment value, while using only well proven research done by others. Mostly Pierre-Yves Laugier. I think these exercises in stealth plagiarism has now run its course. I am now keen to see whether I can grow as researcher as well as writer, and before I can attempt my own research, I need access to all available literature.

After carefully reading Conway's works, and the other bits of info I have on the Type 41, I realised that I know very little indeed. After discussion with Jeroen, and a careful examination of my limited finances, I should be in possession of all the established literature on the Royale by mid May, at the earliest. Then I need to do some studying and this time I want to consult all the proven historians willing to communicate with me. In a word Herman, I wish to bring something new and original to the table. I want to write nothing less than the definitive histories of all 6 Royales, and the replicas. This will not be easy, after all, the esteemed author Paul Kestler has already written a book devoted entirely to the Royale. And, lest we forget, Paul Kestler got LJK Setright to get as close to admitting he made a mistake as Setright ever got. In public at least.

Yet, it is a challenge I relish, I truly believe that given exposure to the right people that there are still secrets to be discovered about these fabulous cars. Strangely enough, I get the impression that Hugh Conway was not overly impressed by Ettore's vainglorious self-indulgence. Have you noticed that nobody ever stands indifferent to the Royale? You either hate it, or , like myself, believe it to be Ettore's finest hour. So much more of an achievement than the T35, don't you think?

Now that I've made Stuart cry, I am happy to announce that I wish to become a member of The Bugatti Trust. Many reasons for this change of mind, but, truthfully, I am just too damn curious to resist the lure any longer. Stuart, when you've wiped your tears, do us a favour and e-mail me the application form(s). And please tell Mr. Richard Day he is more than welcome to add a snotty comment or two; something along the lines of : What, now we're suddenly good enough for you? Or, even better : I've told the B.O.C. and they say : "Up yours peasant!!" That will really appeal to my rather warped sense of humour. Let's face it, I won't know if I can make a worthwhile contribution to the Bugatti community without, at least, trying to familiarise myself with those who have already given so much. And Hugh Conway's son is involved with the Trust. I yield to no-one in my worship of the Grand Old Man; how much of a disappointment can His son possibly be? No really, I'm asking.

So Herman, I humbly apologise for reneging on a promise, but I have discovered something rather strange about myself. Doing the same thing again is simply not good enough. I need to grow as both author and historian. Should I fail, I fail in public. I like taking risks, especially with my own ego.

Tuesday is payday. Tuesday is send-money-to-Europe-day. Wednesday I'll be broke. Isn't life glorious?

Regards
Johan

Hi Johan,

Any idea about what these secrets are that are still to be discovered about the T41's?

Apart from the current whereabouts of the original Esders Roadster body, of course.

_________________
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Why do you think I've asked for a postponement?

What can I say more then "apologies accepted".

I have seen the rise of Jimi Hendrix. When he asked me what to do with his life, I said: Why don't you take a guitar and learn to play on it.

Later in life I was able to say: When he was starting, I was there.

I have seen the rise of Naomi Campbell. She asked me if she was pretty or ugly. I told her: Why don't you shake your tush on the catwalk, and find out?

Later in life I was able to say: When she was starting, I was there.

I am now seeing the rise of Johan Buchner. He asked me if he could write an article. I said to him: Why not doing something on the Bugatti Royales?

Well, I am joking about the first 2, but I hope this time I can say: When he was starting, I was there!

_________________
Vive la Marque !!

Hi,

I think this is a superb idea.

Thoughts:
1) When restoring cars, you often hear people saying whatever time you think of double it......so I don't thing a time overrun should be a hanging offence.
2) Hugh Conway Jnr is a superb person in my view.
3) I think a trip to Europe is in order as you (in my view) will need to scour old Bugantics, Trust newsletters, Trust info and other sources. I have heard that the UK National Motor Museum has a great archive, but it is disorganised. A visit and selective trawl through certain dates may be in order?
4) Asking Autocar to look through their archives? Having owned a few prewar Autocar mags, it is surprising what uncatalogued info they possess.

Hope this helps.

SB

Thanks for all the positive words. Just so you know, Jeroen has come through for me in the most spectacular way ; I will say more once I have paid the man. On Tuesday!

I tell you, the next 2 months are going to be very good for my growing book collection. That's the best thing about never making debt, by the time the book arrives, the pain of the money spent is long forgotten.

And, best of all, I get to keep both my kidneys! Which is nice.

Regards
Johan

Some pictures that may help your research - at least as to the current state of the cars.

http://flickr.com/search/?q=bugatti%20royale&w=all&s=int

I have a couple of pics. of the Napoleon taken when I visted Emenonville as a youth. I will attempt to make some copies ready for Johan when he visits Europe this summer. How about VSCC Prescott ? If he behaves in the meantime I might let him sleep in the same tent as a REAL Bugatti if he wants ! I've also got some never-seen-before pics. of the Lidia type 40 taken at the same location.

Hi Williamswinner

I thank you for your kind offer; for a night with a Bugatti I will sleep on a street corner, never mind a tent. Unfortunately South Africa's currency, the Rand, is currently sitting at R16.00 to the Pound and R12.00 to the Euro.

It will be 2009 at the earliest before I can even begin to consider undertaking my first trip to the Northern Hemisphere. For the amount of money this will cost, I can probably buy a complete set of Bugantics, but, and this is very important, I am now in a position to consider saving up for such an extravagence. I may not have a lot of money, but I have regained my dignity and my self respect. And a growing Bugatti library. Overseas holidays will, for the foreseeable future, play second fiddle to books.

Still, an English summers day at Prescott is a dream I am determined to fullfill. If its worth having, it is worth waiting for.

I wrote to the Bugatti Trust and asked for their bank details so that I may make the transfer, and I received a rather stiffly worded reply stating that they need to know just a little bit more about me before they will release their bank details. Oops.

I'm not waisting my Easter in front of a keyboard, so I shall do that during working hours on Tuesday. Using work time for personal business is a proud South African tradition, and I try and live up to the demands of the land of my birth.

Oh, one last thing ; Herman please tell Martijn to hurry up and get me the exact amount of money I need to send him. My bonus has been paid and whatever Martijn is not owed, is going directly to Jeroen. I am determined to be completely broke come Wednesday.

Its all a matter of priorities you see. Books first, food, rent and other such irrelevances, a distant second. Like I said, priorities.

Happy Easter to All.
Johan