Royale Chassis Query

[RobbieL]

Last year I bought a Royale Sports 2000 car and I'm trying to establish a bit of history and it's identity.

I bought it from a chap called Richard Harris, and on the chassis plate it states

Chassis No. - 06
Type - S2000

It is now in RP42 guise although I'm unsure what it's original state was.

Is anyone able to offer any help?

This is what it currently looks like:

[Dan Rear]

Given the plate doesn't say 'RP37' or 'RP38' etc, it may be one of the 'S2000Ms', a Royale with no RP 'type no'. These came out in 1981, 1 or 2 at a guess, then more commonly in '82. I suspect you may have one of the '82 cars, Robbie. Richard Dutton ran a few that year.

[RobbieL]

Thanks for your reply - I'll try and post a picture of the chassis plate later to see if you (or anyone else) can identify it further.

[Peter Dunne]

You should try contacting Alan Cornock (one of the men behind Royale) via his website www.racingcarsforsale.co.uk

If anyone will know anything about your car, it's Alan.

[Unit 2 Racing]

According to the chassis number list in Nowhere to hide (The story of Royale Racing Cars) S2000M was built from 81 to 83, 25 built in total.

Chassis S2000M/6 Original customer was
Richard Dutton.
Richard had 6 S2000M's in total.

[RobbieL]

Here's a pic of the chassis plate:


And its location in the tub:


Any idea how to contact Richard Dutton at all? I've sent an email to Alan.

Thanks for all your help.

[Unit 2 Racing]

Richard Dutton now runs Fortec Motorsport, www.fortecmotorsport.com

In the late70's & 80's Richard Dutton Racing was a race hire team running FF2000 Reynards & then Royale cars.

S2000M/06 would have been his first sports 2000 car, other chassis numbers being numbers 12, 19, 21, 23, 24, As well as the race hire team I think Richard was also an agent for Royale cars, so some chassis may have been ordered for customers.

[RobbieL]

Not been able to get hold of Ricahrd Dutton. Alan Cornock offered some information but was unable to help further:

S2000M /- 6 was sold new to Richard Dutton
RP 37 / 6 sold new to Volenberg in Holland
RP 38 / 6 sold new to Klienpeter USA
RP 42 / 6 we have full history of and is not the car you have.
Probably not much help but all I can offer.

Can anyone else offer any suggestions?

Many thanks

[Unit 2 Racing]

Not much help I know but reading the Royale Story,

I can tell you you the protoype S2000M/1 ran for the first time in early August 81 at Snetterton in the hands of David Sears

The M (missing from your chassis plate) stood for Marston,(Bob Marston was the designer).

This was the first and only Royale not give an RP designation based on the year of manufacture because they didn't think the design would change for many years.

[RobbieL]

I'm confused - do you think the prototype Royale you refer to could be my car?

Also, do you know anywhere I might be able to get a copy of the Royale story?

Many thanks again for your help.

[ts89]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

Given the plate doesn't say 'RP37' or 'RP38' etc, it may be one of the 'S2000Ms', a Royale with no RP 'type no'. These came out in 1981, 1 or 2 at a guess, then more commonly in '82. I suspect you may have one of the '82 cars, Robbie. Richard Dutton ran a few that year.

I imagine that its one of these original cars that has been upgraded to the RP42 spec as Dan says above.

Regarding the book I found this link earlier http://www.sports2000-srcc.com/news_...nt_page_id=263 but the publishers website doesn't seem to be working.

[Unit 2 Racing]

Originally Posted by RobbieL

I'm confused - do you think the prototype Royale you refer to could be my car?

Also, do you know anywhere I might be able to get a copy of the Royale story?

Many thanks again for your help.

No the prototype was chassis number S2000M/01 which went to Nick Ward, yours being number S2000/06 went to Dutton Racing late 81 or early 82.

The book is available from www.amazon.co.uk listed under The Royale Story, for about £10.00 plus P & P. Very cheap I think.

[RobbieL]

So from what you can tell - you believe that mine is one of the earlier Historic class cars?

Is there any way to confirm this or get any paperwork for it?

Very grateful as always!

[RobbieL]

Update - after very helpful email conversations with the chap who owns S2000M/06 (whose history, origins and ownership is fully documented - so I can discount that one), I believe the car that I have is one of the Kleinpeter cars and most likely RP38/06.

I think along the way it has been butchered by previous owners, and this is something I want to sort out before I race her again or sell her to fund a Duratec car. This seems to be the most likely scenario for my car, and has given me a more definite avenue to follow in terms of establishing its true identity.