Royale RP16 specs?

[scorp997]

A friend and I recently picked up a project '72 Royale RP16 that we are planning on vintage racing.

The car came with quite a few spares and I'm sure portions of it have been 'upgraded' over the years. The previous owner had no history on the car and only recent photos prior to stripping the frame. I do have the logbook so finding previous owners shouldn't be a problem.

My question is what items specifically changed between the '72 and '73 models? I am guessing that the earlier one had rubber axle joints where the later one had CVs? All photos I've seen of RP16s have CVs.... Did they all have them from the factory (if so I can challenge the rule for no CVs). The rulebook is pretty specific that the '72 (not '73) is legal. As I reassemble the car I would like to use any newer specification parts that I can while only installing earlier parts where required.

I have also seen both inboard and outboard rear brakes. I assume (again) that the rubber joints require the use of outboard brakes, but I have seen both types used on CV cars. Any comment on the differences?

The car came with the rear bodywork as well. What's the concensus on whether to run with or without it?

Does anyone have original specifications on this model? Any decent websites or vendors that specialize in these? What about ballpark suspension settings?

Do the SCCA technical inspectors have access to model specific technical data that I can use in my research? What are the areas they focus on to determine if a car has been modified beyond approved changes? Obviously the engine, carb, transaxle and weight will be scrutinized, but what else?

Lastly, I live in the Seattle area.... Are there any local owners who would be interested in meeting and discussing these cars??

Thanks in advance
-John Allen
Tacoma, WA

[Mark_Silverberg]

There were some long and difficult discussions regarding the configuration of the RP16 to make it "legal" for vintage racing per Monoposto rules. As I recall the cars have to be outboard rear brakes with drive donut axles.

To be sure you should contact monoposto racing www.monoposto.com

Parts can be purchase through Andy Greene in the US http://www.agsvrc.com/index.htm

or Alan Cornock in the UK http://www.racingcarsforsale.co.uk/frameset-royale.htm

Your local organization may be willing to accept a slightly non compliant car. I would check with them before I made any major part purchases.

[Rick Kirchner]

I'm always amazed at vintage organizations that get hung up on 1972, especially when a car comes out in 72 and is continued without significant modifications for a couple more years, but those cars aren't allowed. For heavens sake, how much "modification" could be done, short of moving the suspension inboard or using the Challenger bodywork, to make these cars significantly faster?

I have a 72 RP-14 SV. It has CVs and outboard disk brakes, but the rules required VW parts. I'd run the rear bodywork, there seem to be several configurations, and some help get air into the oil cooler. Look in the archives of www.race-cars.com, there have been several for sale in the past couple of years.

One of my best friends owned a RP-16 on the west coast and is trying to locate it. He has some set-up data from a test day where he hired a pro to drive it and set it up (1977 time frame). Do you have the serial number or frame number?

[scorp997]

I too am amazed at the '72 limitation.... The local organization - Sovren - isn't likely to allow any modifications, they seem to be one of the strictest vintage groups out there...

I plan on running the center 'engine cover' but I'm not sure about the 'whale tail' surround. The center cover has the air duct for the oil cooler so It will be used.

I will check the serial number for you. The frame was stripped down to bare metal and repainted before I got it. The 'dash plate' is not mounted and may be in one of the boxes of spares. I do have the logbooks withthe previous drivers listed. What was your friend's name? Please forward his contact information if possible.

Race-cars.com is a great resource for car building. I have looked there a lot recently!

Thanks again. Keep any info coming in!
-John Allen
Tacoma, WA

[Rick Kirchner]

Look for the name "Rogerson" in the logbook from the 1974-1979 time frame. He mostly raced at Willow Springs and Riverside.

[Christopher Shoemaker]

A friend and I recently picked up a project '72 Royale RP16 that we are planning on vintage racing.
****CONGRATS! I own chassis #15 and run my car with the Vintage Racer Group (VRG). I have also guided 3 other members in thier purchase of thier respective Royale RP16 and will be glad to help you as well. Please register your car with the Royale Registry - THANKS!


The car came with quite a few spares and I'm sure portions of it have been 'upgraded' over the years. The previous owner had no history on the car and only recent photos prior to stripping the frame. I do have the logbook so finding previous owners shouldn't be a problem.
****I can get you original frame pics, etc... Contact me offline in order to discuss your requirements. cshoem286@yahoo.com (610.420.9746)


My question is what items specifically changed between the '72 and '73 models? I am guessing that the earlier one had rubber axle joints where the later one had CVs? All photos I've seen of RP16s have CVs.... Did they all have them from the factory (if so I can challenge the rule for no CVs). The rulebook is pretty specific that the '72 (not '73) is legal. As I reassemble the car I would like to use any newer specification parts that I can while only installing earlier parts where required.

I have also seen both inboard and outboard rear brakes. I assume (again) that the rubber joints require the use of outboard brakes, but I have seen both types used on CV cars. Any comment on the differences?
****This is a very curious area for many. I have seen build sheets from both 72 and 73. Basically Royale let the original owner choose the setup (inboard/outboard brakes), but it is my understanding that all Royale RP16 were CV joints. Any conversions were a retro-fit. Monoposto has approved this car with no specific requirements...as such CV and inboard brakes should be accepted. I do have original paperwork on the Monoposto approval for Royale that may help you with your club.


The car came with the rear bodywork as well. What's the concensus on whether to run with or without it?
****I have run with and without. IMHO, I find the 'whale tail' to be helpful with tight courses and tooo restrictive on long tracks.


Does anyone have original specifications on this model?
****Alan Cornock should have the original build sheet for the car still available. His information is in an earlier post. If you have any issue just reach out....


Any decent websites or vendors that specialize in these? What about ballpark suspension settings?
****I do have some setting that should get you started, but much has changed and depending on the organization these would only be a starting point.


Do the SCCA technical inspectors have access to model specific technical data that I can use in my research? What are the areas they focus on to determine if a car has been modified beyond approved changes? Obviously the engine, carb, transaxle and weight will be scrutinized, but what else?
****I do have many pics that should help. I am not aware of any specific Royale information being available through the SCCA. I do, however, have an original technical guide used by SCCA tech inspectors for Formula Ford (1976 I believe) that should cover your Royale


Lastly, I live in the Seattle area.... Are there any local owners who would be interested in meeting and discussing these cars??
****I am sorry that you are soooo far. Would love to meet and help on a more personal level (I helped Cal Trumbo fully restore his car back to vintage specs). We are trying to get all 4 Royale RP16 at our upcoming Shenandoah event. Not sure if you know but Bill Scott (Summit Point - Track Owner), was critical to the success of these cars and we are trying to put a reunion together for him and others associated with Royale cars.

NOTE - check out the book 'Nowhere to Hide' great book on Royale history.


Christopher Shoemaker
VRG #286
cshoem286@yahoo.com
610.420.9746 Cell#

[scorp997]

Thanks Christopher, I will be contacting you offline for some (any) info you can supply! you've confirmed what I had thought (all cars having CVs). The paperwork form Monoposto should prove to be invaluable in my case!

I will also register the car and check out the book you mentioned.

[Rick Kirchner]

Good luck will Bill Scott Chis! I've called, written, and E-mailed, and never recieved a reply. Even drove out to Summit Point once and sat in his reception area, but he wouldn't talk to me. My SV was his old car, serno 001. He's got a lot of medical problems, and a little eccentric I guess. I had a lot more luck with his teammate, Tom Milner, who runs PTG, and Ray Heppenstall.

Bob Brown runs a RP-16 in VARA events, and Jim Oswald had one listed for sale on this site in November.

[scorp997]

I looked through the logbooks that came with the car and found a number of names:

Richard Turner owned it in '74
Jeff Sheppard owned it in '75 (Louisville, CO)
John Brumder owned it in '75 (Colorado)
Steve Bailey owned the car from '76~85
Carl Said owned the car from '85~?

I have found several references to both John Brumder and Richard Turner on the web. I'll take it that they are still active in the racing community? Anyone know the people listed?

The car has been stored and moved around a lot in the last 10 years or so.

The SCCA ID number is 19-974 and appears to have been raced in Buttonwillow (per tech records)

The logbooks (2) that I have start in '74 and have handwritten on the bottom "duplicate". I assume that this is to represent additional logbooks added after the first was started and since lost? The logbooks do not indicate year or chassis number, again presumably because it was in the 'first' book?

Again, any help on this is appreciated!
-John Allen
Tacoma, WA

[Christopher Shoemaker]

the book 'Nowhere to Hide - The story of Royale Racing Cars' and was unable to reference the names you outlined above for a serial# on the car.

As far as the 1972/1973 reference the book outlines that any # after 7 is from 1973 period of time. I referenced my information on Monoposto and thier acceptance of these cars. Once again ALL RP16 are acceptable cars under the Monoposto Rules & Regulation. Since there is no specific configuration on the acceptance of the Royale RP16, effectively that means that CV and Inboard Brake are allowed on these cars. All other rules outlined in the Monoposto Rules & Regulations do apply.

Hope that helps...Good Luck!

[scorp997]

'Nowhere to Hide - The story of Royale Racing Cars' ..... Amazon.com is great!

-John