Hi everyone.

I'm currently trying to replicate the magnificent Royale Coupé de Ville Napoléon but thare'se some things I can't grasp:

- did the model have his licence plate changed from 3293-J4 to 1347 W 68 only when Fritz Schlumpf bought it?

- when didi it receive it's dual-tone lively? Older pics seem to suggest it was totally black when property of Ettore.

- is the current upholstery (driver and passengers bay) still the original?

- the rear licence plate was at first mounted on the spare wheel fixation, correct?

Thanks in advance.

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The Schlumpfs painted it blue
No, the Schlumpfs liked this better than the original, which seemed to be black

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Vive la Marque !!

the question has often been asked about the colour change on the Coupe Napoleon, but the car was never entirely black. instead it was black and a much darker blue than we see today. A friend of mine has the original central armrest covering, that was taken off and replaced with the ludicrous fabric that the Schlumpfs presumably considered more tasteful when they had Bugatti restore the car. It is a very dark blue woven wool material, a bit like a camel hair coat. This dark colour would have matched the recessed panel on the car.

Thanks both of you! Then the black-and-blue colour combo is original although the brighter hue is more recent. And about the licence plate, was it changed too when the Schlumpfs bought it?

The restoration was made by Bugatti? When?

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Nothing is too beautiful... nor too expensive!

I do not know about the licence plate, but would say: plausible.

On the restoration: end 50's, beginning 60's I believe. Try and get some books on Schlumpf, quite interesting read. I hope Ard will also issue a book about the Schlumpfs.

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Re original colour of 41100.I participated in the 1958 Grand Rallye Iternatioale at le Mans when we visited Lydia B. at Ermenonville where the Royale was stocked. I clearly remember the car had only ONE colour and that was BLACK .Herewith some pictures I took on this occasion, unfortunatly I did not have a colur film in my camera.

Also see the T-shaped door handles. Amazing pictures. Very nice to see.

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Vive la Marque !!

Brilliant pictures Jacobug, but even in your pics (especially the last 2) you can see that there is a different tone between the panels. It is subtle but it is there. I have lots of pre Schlumpf shots and it is evident on all of them. The Schlumpfs bought the car from Bugatti in 1963 the restoration was done soon after.

Excelent pictures, Jacobug! I really have never noticed those t-shaped door handles, very neet!

On this one picture at Bugatti Trust regarding that same location (but apparently 3 years later), one can also notice a slight difference in colour between the lower part of the bonnet and the rest of the bodywork:

http://www.bugatti-trust.co.uk/photographs/v/album-11/049A+D1228_33.jpg.html

This one too:

http://www.bugatti-trust.co.uk/photographs/v/album-11/051+D1177_3.jpg.html

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Nothing is too beautiful... nor too expensive!

I think that we must forgive the young Jacobug for not really paying too much attention to the really unimportant subtle colours of the Royale.He must have been in sensory overload being with the Bugatti family at their chateau [ I would have been ] Sitting in such an iconic car would have been enough of a distraction.The photos tell the story well enough.The Royale was indeed two tone.After all that is why the body has the scaloped sides.I envy him his visit.Given a time machine,I would however have been at the factory trying to get to play with the T251.

hello x-filer.
speak to french?
Can you join(contact) by e-mail ( bugaclaude@yahoo.fr ) if we can discuss to make a replica of the royal 41 100?
I am on this project also for some time.

My french is rather terrible, last time I had classes was like 15 years ago...

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Nothing is too beautiful... nor too expensive!

ok.

Its ok he's belgian lol

Funny to see a language barrier prevents cooperation.

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Vive la Marque !!