Schlumpf Royale replica (Esders) chassis

Herman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:13 am

It is said that Schlumpf ordered a new chassis, to create the Esders replica.

But I also understood that, in the Malmerspach collection, there was a Royale chassis.

If so, why did Fritz (and Hans) Schlumpf not take this chassis as a base for their replica?

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:28 am

As far as I know, the Esders Roadster was built on an original chassis. Well, chassis rails, I do not know if all cross members were original.

I recall that a few more parts were original as well, maybe the wheels?

Greg Morgan · **Joined:** Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:10 am **Posts:** 334

The Schlumpfs Had two replica chassis produced at the same time (around 1965 I believe) by the same company that built the original chassis for Bugatt- Alsthom.For some reason ,all the cross member are not to the original spec though.
All of the major mechanical components of the car- clutch, axles, radiator gearbox brakes wheels and many smaller parts were the real deal from the spares at the factory.
Shame they made such a mess of the bodywork!

Udolahr · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:24 am

What about the original chassis from the USA , and one original is in Lithuania ? Any pictures exist from this 2 chassis , ore chassis numbers ? What is wrong with the Esders bodywork ? Are there any pictures from the new Esders chassis ?

Greg Morgan · **Joined:** Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:10 am **Posts:** 334

I would say the story of a chassis in Lithuania is just a load of nonsense. The only chassis that was made and unaccounted for was the crashed prototype which I have heard is somewhere in the US.
As for the Esders bodywork, just compare it with the original and see how much too heavy the recreation is over the rear wings.

Udolahr · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:18 pm

the " original " chassis from the USA went to the Netherlands .You think this original can be a real original . Is it possible , that there is a Bugatti chassis in Lithuania what looks very much like a Royale chassis ? I think this chassis have no number to identify them .

Herman · **Posted:** Sun Apr 25, 2010 6:57 am

So what I understand now:

Schlumpfs wanted a Royale replica.
No chassis was available.
Schlumpf ordered 2 chassis.
1 chassis is the Esders replica
1 chassis ended up in the reserve collection.

Greg Morgan · **Joined:** Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:10 am **Posts:** 334

Thats right. For some reason though, these two chassis are connected together by a completely incorrect set of cross members that bear no similarity to the originals.

Herman · **Posted:** Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:08 am

Strange. Why would they do that? Did the old chassis report difficulties?

The chassis on top is a type 57, I believe?

Are there other (naked) Royale chassis around? I heard of one hanging on the wall in a museum?

Uwe · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:12 pm **Posts:** 2285

Which T41 frame are that ?

Greg Morgan · **Joined:** Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:10 am **Posts:** 334

That is 41111, originally the Esders but now the Binder Royale. Photo taken in 1964 when John Griffin did a ground up restoration on it for Mills B. Lane from Atlanta Georgia.

Uwe · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:12 pm **Posts:** 2285

Thanks, great information :wink:

Udolahr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:46 pm

The original chassis from USA went to the Netherlands and some people are building based on this chassis a Royale . Any info about this original chassis ? I know the back axel is missing . There is still a chassis in England , orderd from Tom Wheatcroft .This info is from Ashton Keynes .Funni thing , I was many times in the Ashton Keynes company, for me in this time Sout Cerne Ingeneering . Looking how the Royale was build . I did talk with many people in the Molsheim area , people who did work in the Bugatti company .And all say , there is no way to say how many Royale chassis are realy made . One worker did say ( to bad , he is dead now) Bugatti made chassis in his company , he did see it and explaned how he did it . The chassis in Lithuania is comming from more east , and it looks to me original .I have a feeling from what location it is comming . Some people in Germany try to get this chassis to build a Royale . Already located a Royale engine , but a real car engine and some other parts .

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:21 pm

I always thought that there were no extra engines, this comes as a surprise.

Or maybe, and I asked this question before, acoording to some books, Bugatti had 25 engines for the Royale made. These of course had the double ignition, the later AutoRail engines had single ignition, and various other changes.

My question was, if the first AutoRails were fitted with Royale engines with double ignition? And, if the engine you mention is a car engine, is it one of those that have been fitted in an AutoRail??

Udolahr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:36 pm

All I can say , the last 25 years I was in the business restoring and building ( building from scratch) WW1 fighter aircraft engines . And all the books about it are full of nonsense . One guy starts a story and print it , and all the others coppy it and print it again and again .And if it is printed one time in a book , the story is alive for ever . And people come and say ,I did read it in a book .And nobody is asking how the author got the info and how mutch truth is in this info .
I do not know if it is maybe from an Autorail , but it has double ignitiation .

why did Fritz (and Hans) Schlumpf not take this chassis as a base for their replica?
Good question , because there is still a original chassis with no axels in the Alsace .
I do not have up to now any confirmation for this info .

Schlumpf Royale replica (Esders) chassis

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