1970 Royale RP4

The RP4 is one of a series of lightweight, purpose-built sports-racing cars produced by Royale in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Known for their agile handling and sophisticated chassis, Royales were designed primarily for club and national circuit racing, competing alongside Chevron, Mallock, Lotus and other small British constructors. The RP4 exemplified this approach, combining a semi-monocoque chassis with double wishbone suspension, telescopic dampers and rose-jointed control arms, resulting in a car that was exceptionally responsive on track. With a ludicrously low dry weight of just 463 kilograms, coupled with disc brakes on all four corners and a dry sump lubrication system, the Royale was highly competitive in period and a favourite among privateer racers seeking performance without excessive complexity.

This example is offered as an unfinished project following the unfortunate passing of the vendor’s late husband, who had dismantled the car and was in the process of putting it all back together and preparing it but sadly did not complete it. Despite this, the car remains in good overall condition, structurally sound and mechanically ‘all there’, presenting a great opportunity for any prospective historic racers.

It's currently a rolling chassis with the engine being offered with it. The engine appears to be a 1,600cc Ford Kent Crossflow engine, rebuilt by Mass Racing Developments but unknown when, fitted with Weber carburettors, and a Hewland Mk8 gearbox. The car rides on 13" wheels and wears a GRP body that remains intact and in good order. Suspension is fully adjustable and compliant with its original design, incorporating double wishbones, rose-jointed control arms and telescopic dampers with disc brakes all round.

The car’s history is very good, with stacks of documentation including expired FIA papers, racing results, period photographs and magazine articles detailing its early life and use. It formerly carried the registration MAD 91 and retains a UK V5C with the number BRF 224J, currently listing a 1,600cc engine, with suggestions that a Lotus Twin Cam may have been fitted at some stage. Also included with the car are the fuel tank, seats and boxes of miscellaneous spare parts.

Despite being unfinished, the Royale RP4 presents a rare opportunity to acquire a lightweight, well-documented British competition car from the early-1970s. With its semi-monocoque chassis, historic specification and extensive archive of period records, it will appeal to enthusiasts and collectors seeking a project with genuine historic character or those wishing to complete a Royale in line with its original engineering intent. Offered without reserve, this RP4 represents a chance to own a classic club and national-level race car with significant provenance and plenty of potential.