Royale
One of the most successful of the many independent manufacturers that sprang up to cater for the increasingly popular Formula Ford, Royale was an offshoot of the firm Racing Preparations. Founded by Bob King in 1963, RP were Coventry Climax engine specialists.
When this business began to wind down towards the late 1960s, the company turned to manufacturing cars for the newly introduced Formula Ford, adopting the name ‘Royale’. The RP1 Formula Ford prototype led to the first production Royale - the RP2 - more than 30 of which were sold, mostly to the USA, and designs catering for other formulae followed.
The first Royale Super Vee was the RP9, a highly successful design that won the first ever European Super Vee Championship round at Hockenheim with Cyd Williams driving. Manfred Schurti won that championship driving an RP9 while Bill Scott took the North American pro series in another.
In early 1974 Bob King sold the Royale business to long-time collaborator Alan Cornock, who ran the company successfully until 1985 when it was acquired by American investors. However, Cornock retained the design and manufacturing rights to all Royale models from the RP1 to the RP31, and today his Huntingdon-based company FCS supplies spares for these cars through a busy mail order business.
When this business began to wind down towards the late 1960s, the company turned to manufacturing cars for the newly introduced Formula Ford, adopting the name ‘Royale’. The RP1 Formula Ford prototype led to the first production Royale - the RP2 - more than 30 of which were sold, mostly to the USA, and designs catering for other formulae followed.
The first Royale Super Vee was the RP9, a highly successful design that won the first ever European Super Vee Championship round at Hockenheim with Cyd Williams driving. Manfred Schurti won that championship driving an RP9 while Bill Scott took the North American pro series in another.
In early 1974 Bob King sold the Royale business to long-time collaborator Alan Cornock, who ran the company successfully until 1985 when it was acquired by American investors. However, Cornock retained the design and manufacturing rights to all Royale models from the RP1 to the RP31, and today his Huntingdon-based company FCS supplies spares for these cars through a busy mail order business.
RP 9 - 1971 Bill Scott
RP 14 - 1972
RP9-18 - 1973 (one off special)
RP 18A - 1974
RP 18 - 1975 (approximately 10 or 12 built)
RP 19 - 1975
RP 14 - 1972
RP9-18 - 1973 (one off special)
RP 18A - 1974
RP 18 - 1975 (approximately 10 or 12 built)
RP 19 - 1975
Royale built many Super Vees. The first was the RP9, designed in 1971 by Mike Smith and Peter Bohanna. Successful Vee/FSV competitor and USA Royale agent Bill Scott persuaded Bob King of Royale to build it, VW USA provided some finance. 27 where built.
1971 Royale RP9 Formula Super VEE
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FIA registered historic 1971 Supervee Race Ready. Fully restored in 2013 by current owners to very high standard. Chassis: full aluminium monocoque (ex. Ray Heppenstall). Bodywork: RP18, Hence RP9/18, as raced in the late 1970's with wings and slicks. Complete spare set (unpainted) included. Engine: Heidegger Type 4 VW 1600cc with rolling road results chart. Recently refreshed. Gearbox: Metso (Hewland style) quick change with several sets of spare ratios. History: Ex Bill Scott, Ray Heppenstall, Dave Allen and Nigel Rees in the 1970's. Also owned and races by John Robinson in the Walter Hayes series. The car is located in the United Kingdom.
December 14, 21014 |
The RP14 was the next FSV. Built in 1972 and again designed by Smith and Bohanna, based on the RP11 F3 car. 21 built. 10 went to the USA. Amazingly it did not have a cooling fan, despite an air cooled engine. Fibreglass shoulder cooling ducts were used which were a feature of later Royales, passing air was the only cooling.
1972 Royale RP14 Formula Super Vee Chassis no. RP14/14
1972 Royale RP14 Formula Super Vee
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This Royale RP14 Formula Super Vee has only logged five races, the last in 1975, and comes with its original paperwork including bill of sale, invoice and US logbook. Built in the UK by recognised specialists Broadspeed, the four-cylinder VW engine features downdraught Weber carburettors and dry-sump lubrication, while other noteworthy features include Minilite magnesium wheels and rear disc brakes (modified in 1973). The car is offered with spare gears and a quantity of suspension components.
19 Aug 2005 |
RP18 from 1973, 11 built, 4 went to the USA, the rest to Europe.
RP18A from '74, 11 built, 8 to the USA, rest in the UK.
The last Royale FSV was the RP19 from '75.
10 built. 6 went to the states, 2 to Germany and 2 UK.
10 built. 6 went to the states, 2 to Germany and 2 UK.
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Details from 'Nowhere to Hide' The story of Royale Racing Cars.
With many photos of all Royale types. Available from www.tfmpublishing.co.uk ISBN 0 9530052 9 1 |