1972 Royale RP3 Formula Ford
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Serial Number: RP3-47 Logbooks: SVRA, HSR Condition: excellent Price: $35,000 USD ONO Location: Connecticut USA |
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DescriptionThis car was restored in 1995, no expense was spared in the process, it also recieved all new suspension parts. This car has since been maintained by GMT racing. |
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The origins of Royale were in the car trade, and in the enthusiasm that led Bob King to Coventry Climax engine tuning and then to an engine company, racing preparations, while he also found a personal outlet in racing. The business was centered on Climax engines and naturally declined in the second half of the sixties, so racing preparations turned to cars. The first Royale Formula Ford RP1 was completed in 1968 (RP being retained for designations, while 'Royale' derived from the Park Royale District of London where the factory was situated as well as being a pun on the founder's name).
By this time, King realized he needed something new to do so he started casting around for things to do: the new Formula Ford class suggested an answer and, in 1968, he contracted with Surtees man Bob Marston to design an FF chassis for him. The one off RP1 was produced which led to the RP2 production version which was instantly successful in the new class.
In the three seasons '69-71', Royale built an amazing 61 RP2's, 3's (identifiable by the twin ducts on top of the nose), and 3A's, most going to the U.S. where ex Formula Vee champion Bill Scott and others were usually dominant.
Flush with his FF success King pushed on into faster formulae including Formula B and Super Vee and moved the company to a new factory in Huntington near Lola. But the rapid diversification took a toll on King's health: after an exhausting '73 season King chose to retire in November.
This particular car's history is not known prior to 1977, but drivers since include: Hoenig, Erickson, Beal, Boyd, Tillock and Langerman.
