I’ve noticed that people who believe in reincarnation and claim to have knowledge of past lives invariably identify themselves as having been Cleopatra or William the Conqueror. Nobody ever insists they were Oarman #12 on a Phoenician warship or an underage Whitechapel prostitute who died of syphilis. Despite the fact that the impoverished and ordinary population of the world has always greatly outnumbered the privileged ruling elite, we all see ourselves as somehow deserving of a royal title and the privileged lifestyle that accompanies it. This is perhaps why so many car names allude to hereditary nobility.
This is your commenting task for this Monday: name all the vehicles named for royalty, the trappings of royalty such as crowns and thrones, or other aristocratic titles.
Special thanks to for suggesting this topic.
The Caveats (there are always caveats):
- References to simply being a ruler, leader or politician are not the same as nobility or royalty. A Dictator, for example, would not fit in this category because there’s no implication of inherited status or social class.
- Manufacturers’ marques, model names and trim lines are all fair game. Slang and nicknames are not.
- The names of concept cars, race cars, one-offs and stillborn prototypes are only allowable if it was an officially-bestowed name by an automotive manufacturer, recognized coachwork or styling house, or George Barris.
- Cars, light and heavy trucks, motorcycles are all fair game. No boats, ships or airplanes, please. Well, okay, I’ll throw in hovercraft and autogyros just to be generous.
Difficulty: Easy peasy George & Weezy.
How This Works: Read the comments first and don’t post duplicates! Bonus points for adding photos.
Image Source: Wikipedia. Twice.
http://www.plan59.com/images/JPGs/imperial_1961_red_01.jpg
Is a dictator considered royalty?
http://momentcar.com/images/studebaker-dictator-5.jpg
Not according to the first caveat.
Reading is for suckers. Besides, see North Korea or Cuba.
Royale
http://www.sportscardigest.com/wp-content/uploads/3Schlumpf2Fritz-Schlumpf-with-Buggati-Type-41-Coupe-Napolean-Royale.jpg
12.8L in just 8 cylinders, block and head as one casting. Removing valves required a full tear-down, and valve removal was a common maintenance step.
It can’t be THAT difficult if it only weighs a quarter pound.
http://cdn.miramax.com/media/assets/royale_feat.png
I just shot Marvin in de face …
Hindustan Contessa
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Hindustan_Contessa_Diesel_%28Goa%2C_1994%29.jpg
http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/images/g/tlsAAOSwuTxV-Ei5/s-l225.jpg
Again – Lane Motor has the answer: NSU Prinz
http://www.lanemotormuseum.org/images/cars/nsu_prinz_1000_1967_web/nsu_prinz_1000_1967_web02.jpg
Lane Motor Museum IS the answer to everything. It’ll cure what ails ya.
The Prince marque, predecessor of Nissan.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/PrinceGloria-super6.jpg
Came here to post this, but beaten to it.
Another car on the small list of cars fitted with a De Dion rear suspension.
These first Glorias were raced successfully before racing efforts centred on the Prince Skyline
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Prince_Gloria_Super_6_%28S41D%29_front-right_2012_Suzuka_Circuit_Time_Machine_Exhibition.jpg/800px-Prince_Gloria_Super_6_%28S41D%29_front-right_2012_Suzuka_Circuit_Time_Machine_Exhibition.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Prince_Motor_Company_Marque.jpg/130px-Prince_Motor_Company_Marque.jpg
Also available as a wagon
http://m.cdn.blog.hu/au/autohistory/image/Prince/1962%20Prince%20Gloria%20Wagon_01.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Prince_Gloria_W40-series_wagon,_Meiji_Jingu.jpg
Prince Skyline and descendents.
Golden Gloria wagon – almost too good to be true.
Isdera Imperator, naturally.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Isdera_imperator_1.jpg/280px-Isdera_imperator_1.jpg
I can see it now… Remove all glass. Add an external cage. Strip the paint away to bare metal. Shove a massive military tractor axle out back, with another driven axle up front. Boggers all around. Power it with the world’s largest supercharged gas V8. Zoomies pointing off in all directions, which double as flame throwers. A sneaky 360-degree powered turret hiding underneath.
Also, Horex Imperator. With bonus crown in the logo.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/ZweiRadMuseumNSU_Horex_Imperator.JPG/640px-ZweiRadMuseumNSU_Horex_Imperator.JPG
Horex will forever remind me of the Red Porsche Killer:
Horex will forever remind me of the Red Porsche Killer:
One of my W126’s nicknames is “Mufasa”. Does that count?
Another one is “Buttercup”, since you asked.
Powered by royalty
I dig what you’re going for, but the ’88 Formula in your picture had the 2.8L V6.
Yeah, I realized as I posted but was too lazy to fix.
I don’t care. The ’88 Formula is the only Fiero I want to look at.
Not just any Cobra.
http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2013/09/1978-Ford-Mustang-II-King-Cobra.jpg
All of your Kings are belong to Ford.
http://media.caranddriver.com/images/09q1/254140/2009-ford-f-150-king-ranch-4×4-supercrew-photo-254142-s-429×262.jpg
Shelby King of the Road.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/1968_black_Shelby_Mustang_GT500KR_side_2.JPG/280px-1968_black_Shelby_Mustang_GT500KR_side_2.JPG
Oh, at least I found a King Cobra! Never seen a real one in my life (I’m from Italy) but drove it so much in Forza Motorsport 2, many many races… I don’t know why but I felt in love with it 🙂
Mercury Marquis. Surely the height of peerage.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/69_mercury_marquis_in_australia.JPG/280px-69_mercury_marquis_in_australia.JPG
Because, like, the whole House of Lords drove these things.
At least the entire House of Lords could fit in the back seat.
Or around Oahu, just Jack Lord’s character on Hawaii Five-0 up front.
Case has a long history of “_____ King” models. Construction King tractor-loader-backhoes, Traction King 4WD tractors, Commodity King wheel loaders (special package for a dusty environment, that one)…
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uCaZ2My2xYE/maxresdefault.jpg
Don’t forget the Comfort King cabs!
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTM2WDUwMA==/$(KGrHqJHJCQE+NypIYz)BQD+Qt8esQ~~60_35.JPG
King Midget
Lebaron is sort of a made up name that sounded royal. Long before it was a K car, the name was applied to exquisite motorcars.
http://www.thelastdetail.com/galleria_images/214/214_main_f.jpg
That’s a tough one to call, because “Lebaron” actually means “of the baron,” and referred to a knight or domestic who served in a baron’s house. Kind of the opposite of sovereignty.
Assistant Regional Manager. Same thing.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/Rainn_Wilson.jpg/220px-Rainn_Wilson.jpg
Yeah, but it was a name picked out of the air by two guys in Brooklyn.
Wouldn’t it mean The Baron? Delabaron, sure.
http://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=lebaron
Excalibur (though some would argue that strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Excalibur_Series_III_Roadster_SS_in_Paris.jpg/220px-Excalibur_Series_III_Roadster_SS_in_Paris.jpg
But ‘e ‘asn’t got $hit all over ‘im.
I don’t want to go on the cart
T Rex
http://elitechoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/t-rex1.jpg
Well played. I would never have thought of that one.
I can’t see a photo of the Campagna T-Rex without immediately hearing Binärpilot’s “Cyborg T-Rex” as a soundtrack in my head.
[audio src="https://binaerpilot.no/releases/b-sides/7_binaerpilot_-_cyborg_t-rex.mp3" /]
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Mercury/1980_Mercury/1980_Mercury_Monarch_Brochure/1980%20Mercury%20Monarch-01.jpg
Wrong picture. Clearly that’s a Mercedes.
You know where some monarchs lived?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Lincoln_Versailles%2C_1980.png
With so much chrome you could call it the Haul of Mirrors.
yap, and they had that nine inch rear with 5 lug discs, the only one that bolts directly in your mustang/fairlane/torino fastback.
Moon Windsor White Prince. The Moon company got into a little trouble with the English royal family over the name, but the car didn’t last long anyway.
The beigest nobility: “Kanmuri” is “crown” in Japanese, with a little adaptation it makes…
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1941710!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/gallery_1200/1983-toyota-camry.jpg
Can I get a ruling? On one hand, it is supreme. On the other hand, it is explicitly not obtained by descendance
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Oldsmobile-Cutlass-Supreme.jpg
Obviously named after the Queen of the Netherlands.
Had to look up the reference. Good one.
“The names of concept cars, race cars, one-offs and stillborn prototypes are only allowable if it was an officially-bestowed name by an automotive manufacturer, recognized coachwork or styling house, or George Barris.”
Certainly Ed Roth’s Druid Princess should count.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/W2V1NVc_jMs/hqdefault.jpg
But he was only a “big daddy,” not “King of the Customizers.”
I believe his sovereign title is styled as King of the Kustomizers.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F%2B59xLJtL._SY373_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
I stand corrected. Etiquette is everything with royal titles.
Spaceballs taught us that the proper term is “Druish Princess”.
Acoma Mini Comtesse.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01915/Mini-Comtesse-Bent_1915131i.jpg
You understand that isn’t a real car, right?
http://heartofdeborah.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Little-Tikes-Princess.png
Clearly I understand no such thing.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1662/24271951193_fd2afe7a7b_z.jpg
Is that a caster on the right front?
Yes, the factory added those at each front corner after issues arose with the first few production models in situations of strenuous cornering. Or moderate cornering. Or just plain cornering.
Thanks for sharing this, loved it. Those little wheels in the front are simply brilliant.
A little Tuesday action:
http://img.motorkari.cz/upload/images/cache/modely/20110219091847-_19_02_2011_09_18_47suzuki_bking_2008_3_jpg_resize_1000x830_.jpg
Moved to a separate reply — lost due to the indefatigable “see more” stupidity.
http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/HarleyDavidson/14RoadKingClassic?$full$
Does Brough Superior count? I mean, it tells commoners that one is of elevated status. http://thekneeslider.com/images/2010/04/1939-brough-superior-ss100.jpg
Although I guess Abingdon King Dick is a bit more pointed.
http://www.conam.info/images/stories/Motorfietsen/Abingdon-king-dick-1913-06-witmondt.jpg
http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/Photo_gallery/enfield5_052815112340.jpg
Daimler Sovereign, of various years and body styles. http://classiccars.brightwells.com/images/lots/d1_4.jpg
Daewoo Prince – preferably with non-functional digital dash.
https://h-a.d-cd.net/5068838s-960.jpg
Excellent! And its predecessor, the Daewoo Royale:
Holden Commodores through a distorting lens.
“Americanized Opel Rekord” was my association, already a big saggy looking from the factory.
Kaiser Darrin
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/1954_Kaiser_Darrin_convertible.jpg/1024px-1954_Kaiser_Darrin_convertible.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiser
The carbrand in honour of Franz Beckenbauer
My local museum has one of these, and while I only saw it once, it was still enough to fall in love…
From a more manly perspective, those doors are awesome!
Huh, I would have thought the Toyota Crown Royal Series would have been low hanging fruit.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/2012_Toyota_Crown-Royal_01.jpg
Same – but A Ford Fairlane Victoria, with Crown.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Ford_victoria_1955.jpg
I thought this one would go a lot earlier, too.
http://newcarmodels2016.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2016-Buick-Regal-front-view.jpg
Vanden Plas Princess
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Princess_Limousine_Mk_IV_1966_Billericay.JPG/1280px-Princess_Limousine_Mk_IV_1966_Billericay.JPG
It stayed regal right until the end:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Vanden-Plas_Princess_1100_01.jpg
Black Prince
Beat me to it
Great minds .. thinking and such – of all that crap listed above ( except for the Batmobile)
kinda – give me the Black Prince Vincent Joe Crow
Vauxhall Viscount
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Vauxhall_Viscount_first_registered_May_1972_3300cc.JPG
How about a company named Imperial that makes modern fake wedding cars named Viscount, Imperial, Regent, Windsor and Royale?
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/62/bd/90/62bd905e0e6dfab45be3d9a215954331.jpg
http://www.imperialmotorco.co.uk/
That’s more convincing than I would’ve expected.
Indeed – I”d chompin ona cigar in the back of this thru town. Great find Number 6.
It’s a miniature Chevelle. Cute!
Chieftain ( royalty in some cultures )
A car named for the man who owns it, Nissan Prince Royal.
http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/profileroyal.jpg
So what if it is a family name. Earl was automotive royalty.
http://theoldmotor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/earl1-760×460.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/2007_Ford_Crown_Victoria_LX.jpg
http://www.family-ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/globel/images/site/victorians-queen-victoria.jpg
Modern passengers get to wear the royal bracelets.
Crown Vic
Coronet:
http://carswithmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/coron4401.jpg
http://www.americanluxurycar.com/Olds98/images/RegencyBroughamCover.jpg
http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/wp-content/uploads/satevepost/photo_20090613_willysknight_1927.jpg
The Innocenti Regent.
http://only-carz.com/data_images/gallery/01/innocenti-regent/innocenti-regent-01.jpg
http://www.usscootermuseum.com/homelite_025.jpg
The Jeep Cherokee Chief
http://image.fourwheeler.com/f/35032448+q80+re0+cr1+ar0/154_1204_01%2bfull_size_spring_surprise%2bjeep_cherokee_chief_with_lift_installed
Olds 88 Royale.
Hmmm…88 Royal Brougham or 98 Regency Brougham? Let’s face it; there’s just too much aristocratic class in their line-up to choose just one!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/1966_Ford_Mustang_289_Windsor.JPG/800px-1966_Ford_Mustang_289_Windsor.JPG
Anything with a Windsor V8.
Canadian Monarch http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QuzLfj7cK0I/Uvf7tHRD4CI/AAAAAAAAPNY/xTqinyfLMkk/s1600/monarch+1950+sport+sedan.jpg
Audi Imperator
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Audi_Typ_R.jpg/1280px-Audi_Typ_R.jpg
Bow (or curtsy) before France’s little princess.
http://www.retroemotion.com/userfiles/photos/Voitures/Dauphine/Dauphine%20Saumur.jpg
I present the Kingswood Estate. As a youth, I_Borgward was hauled around in one just like this, except in dark blue metallic.
There is also, of course, the lesser Kingswood model which, to confuse the motoring public, had no woodgrain trim on the sides.
Like a tiara, you don’t wear the Estate package when you want to mingle with the common folk.
I would think a Tiara is exactly what one should use to mingle with the common folk.
http://www.citroenet.org.uk/foreign/malaysia/images/tiara6.jpg
Humber Imperial
http://www.simoncars.co.uk/humber/slides/s_Humber%20Imperial%20side.jpg
Humber Sceptre
http://bestcarmag.com/sites/default/files/5141203Humber-Sceptre.jpg
Austin Princess
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Austin_Princess_2200HL.jpg
Ford Tudor?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/1928_Model_A_Ford.jpg/560px-1928_Model_A_Ford.jpg
Hino Contessa. The future Toyota Truck company started off making Renault Dauphines under licence before commissioning Michelotti to do a restyle or two or three. As raced by Peter Brock of Cobra fame
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Hino-Contessa-1300_21.jpg
http://www.autominded.net/brochure/div2/HinoContessa1300%2002.jpg
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Hino-Contessa-1300-Coup%C3%A9.jpg
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Hino-Contessa-1300-Coup%C3%A9.jpg
She is such a Queen. (1906. From the home of the King – the Tupelo Auto Museum.)
its near Onepulo, you wounnut know nuttin about dat
Maserati Quattroporte Royale
http://quattroporte.online.fr/images/Image12royale.jpg
That was a particularly ungainly press shot.