Ah, the weekend has finally arrived. What better way to spend a lazy afternoon than going for a Sunday drive? In the early 20th century, at a time when there was no television or shopping malls, leisure time was spent quietly driving around the countryside in a horse-less sleigh. Being a novelty at the time, driving an automobile was a status symbol. Only a member of the elite class was able to afford one and it served as evidence that the owner was moving into the modern era.
And now that we're in the modern era, we have a knack for desiring things from the past. Call it nostalgia or a bizarre obsession, priceless objects from yesteryear are auctioned off all the time. Well, now you too can own a piece of history. The most expensive car in the world, also one of the rarest, is up for grabs to the highest bidder. The Bugatti Type 41 Royale is going for $10 million, and some estimate that it might even sell for up to $17 million. But it's worth every penny.
Originally built by Ettore Bugatti for European monarchs, the Type 41 is truly one of the most elegant cars of all time. The body is 15 feet long, creating an imposing silhouette when on the road. And you'll be the envy of every hip hop artist when you roll by on your 24" wheels. No doubt the Bugatti Type 41 Royale was ahead if its time.
It is also perhaps the heaviest car of all time. Due to the size of the frame and engine, not to mention the sumptuous interior, the car weighs in at 3 ½ tons. Perhaps that's why the mascot for the car is an elephant. An elephant standing upright on its hind legs with its trunk in the air is positioned at the front of the car, a la the Mercedes Benz symbol. Created by Ettore Bugatti's younger brother, Rembrandt, the elephant, like the Type 41, is powerful and massive, as well as regal and commanding of respect. The mascot itself is as rare as the car, as only 10 were originally cast, and has become the most desirable mascot in the world.
But the real story behind, or should I say inside, the fame of the Type 41 is the engine. Ettore Bugatti built 16-cylinder aircraft engines for the French military. But when the contract fell through, he converted half the engine for use in an automobile. Thus the Type 41 was born. A 200 horsepower engine might sound miniscule when compared to the modern day 345 horsepower Hemi or the Ferrari 360 Spider's 400 horsepower engine. But for a car made in the 1920's, 200 horsepower isn't bad at all. In fact, the 13 liter engine is twice the size of the largest V-8's built 4 decades later. Due to the economic crisis at the time, more chassis were built than cars. In fact, only 6 Type 41's were ever made, each one of them entirely different, but all with the same Bugatti characteristics. The leftover engines were used in French trains. And even these did not survive the war.
Yes, the Bugatti Type 41 Royale is truly a rare gem. The Bugatti family saved the Royale from the destruction of the war by hiding it inside a false wall. Coined "the car of kings," anyone is sure to feel like royalty when riding this leather and wood. Bentley shmentley. With this ride in your garage, LawCrossing members are sure to feel a cut above the rest.
LawCrossing is worth every penny. It's a boon for persons seeking a change. I would like to say thanks to it!! Lindsay
Facts
LawCrossing Fact #167: LawCrossing is part of Juriscape, already one of the largest employment companies in the U.S.
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