Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "Bugatti Royal Type 41" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Bugatti Royale Type 41. One of the Italian designer Ettore Bugatti's most impressive cars, the Royal Type 41 was also known as "La Royale" or "Golden Bug." He first envisioned this grand car in 1913, when he described it to a good friend as "a piece of machinery above criticism." But it would be another thirteen years before he actually started building the automobile. Initially, he planned to construct twenty-five cars, but he actually built only six or seven. The engine itself was later produced en masse for the Bugatti railcar. The Royal Type 41 started as a two-seated roadster by the direction of M. Armand Esders, a wealthy French clothier. It was considered one of the most elegant auto bodies ever designed. But because Esders never drove at night, the car had no lamps. Later, the car was customized as a coupe de ville, possibly for King Carol of Romania. It included toughened bullet-proof glass windows, and plush dove-grey worsted seats that could hold two or three passengers. During the German occupation of Paris, the car was well hidden in the sewers, but the original roadster body was destroyed during a bombing raid. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B10813)