- Seller: Tom M (Contact)
- Location: Chatsworth, New Jersey
- Mileage: 10 Shown
- Chassis #: 1234567890
- Title Status: Missing
UPDATE – The seller has discovered an issue that would impact the auction, so they’ve asked us to pause it while they work to resolve the problem. We have stopped the auction and will hopefully restart it shortly. Sorry for the inconvenience, but please stay tuned for additional updates.
There is unfinished, and then there is choose-your-own-drivetrain unfinished. Submitted as a 1995 Royale Sabre, this rolling British-style roadster project has never been completed. This is a BYOD (bring-your-own-drivetrain) project, which leaves you with plenty of options. The seller says the body, chassis, suspension, steering components, trim, and numerous loose parts are included. It is offered here on Barn Finds Auctions from Chatsworth, New Jersey, without a title.
The Royale Owners Club’s company history says the Sabre was launched in April 1994 as a sleek, 1930s-inspired two-door roadster designed around Ford Sierra, Granada, and Scorpio donor components. The car used a substantial ladder-frame chassis with aluminum and glass-reinforced-plastic body panels, and a left-hand-drive version was developed in 1995. The club records show that two kits were sent to New York. Nothing in this submission proves that this is one of those two cars, but its stated year and current New Jersey location make the possibility intriguing.
The photos show the project in weathered gray primer, sitting on its wheels but still far from being roadworthy. The cockpit is empty, no dashboard or interior is fitted, and the front bodywork carries storage wear and several visible gouges. Other images show boxes labeled for windows, convertible-top pieces, rubber parts, trim and molding, plus lamps and additional hardware. It appears there’s a useful parts cache here, but it doesn’t include every component needed to finish the car. The seller appropriately invites prospective buyers to inspect everything and determine completeness for themselves.
Although the submission’s specification fields mention a V6 and automatic transmission, the seller is clear that neither unit accompanies the project. A Ford-based drivetrain would be in keeping with the Sabre’s original design, but the next owner is free to choose whatever engine they want. The larger challenge may be paperwork: there is no title, and an unfinished kit car can require considerably more identification and registration work than a conventional restoration. Bidders should research the applicable requirements in their state.
One supplied photograph shows a finished dark-green Sabre. That image is for reference only and does not depict the car being auctioned. This project will require fabrication, bodywork, mechanical assembly, wiring, weather equipment, an interior, paint, and plenty of problem-solving, but it’s a cool-looking design, and you’d be guaranteed to have the only one around. Would you finish it with one of the Ford options, or install a drivetrain Royale never offered?
I like this ! And I’m sure the basic kit was fairly expensive. Just the transportation alone for me would cost $2,000 or more. A shame the the original purchaser was not able to complete their dream. A lot of different vehicles mixed up in this car. But it still has style and grace. As to what to use for the engine and transmission? Measurements would need to be taken. It could be as mundane as a SBC and power glide or as nuts as a twin turbo V12 BMW. BUT I would choose something most people wouldn’t think of. Maybe a slant 6 Mopar, a Chevy Blue flame 6 or a Studebaker V8. But because of what looks to be a low hood profile. I think a 225 slant 6 with dual carbs and a T5 speed transmission. I know, I’m weird, but a different car (even though all the parts look familiar.) Deserves a non-normal kit car engine.
3.0 BMW straight 6 and manual trans from a BMW Z3.
The finished car looks pretty nice, much better than a Clenet or a Zimmer or something like that. How about a 13B rotary with a 6 speed?
A rotary slipped my mind. But I would be very hesitant to install a rotary in a fiberglass car. I can see several hundred dollars in exhaust shielding and floor insulation. Their exhaust just runs so hot it would make me nervous in a plastic car. It would be a great combo though!
I agree with the above comments. I like this and have done a few kits cars that turned out to be lots of fun and no money lost. This thing finished simulates the real deal. I would need to have a stick transmission though. I can’t tolerate automatics in sporty cars. There a lots of good motor combos to choose from. Too bad I have too many projects right now or I would go look. My family lives in NJ. Sighhhhhhh………………..
I read the story about the company. Sounds like a bad luck/bankruptcy non-stop, regardless of who owned the company. vehicle company, over and over again. I keep drooling over this car. But I’m not going to do it. I think, no, maybe, but, no but, I could, no, not going to do it.
Boy, Wayne….. I feel the same way…… there is something special here…..
Road trip, Wayne? 😆👍🏻
Would love it! But too much on my plate right now. And the end result would most likely end with me living in your camper!
Once again, Wayne….same situation… too much on my plate….. I did build small camper last year, though…………….no one living in it right now! : > )
I love it, blank canvas. Aren’t those T-bird Turbo coupe front wheels?
Engine bay seems set-up for a straight 6, for sure.
“I didn’t buy a car, I bought an idea” to coin a phrase.
Mustang “phone dial” wheels. If from a “T bird” the center cap would have a “T bird” emblem. Yes, they are the same wheel. And yes, I agree a cool looking blank canvas
would like to know the wheelbase numbers
Hello Al,
the wheelbase is 108″ or 9 feet center to center and 66′ or % feet 6 inches wide if that helps.
I’ve built a couple of hot rods/rat rods in Oregon and also once bought a stock ’29 Chevy farm truck and the DMV(s) here can be very tough. Even though the state laws are pretty clear and favorable to a constructor, it all comes down to whatever DMV office you go to and the person who runs it. I know a case where that person said NO to a typical “Barn Find” restorer and an appeal to the State DMV in Salem resulted in a response of “We do not overturn local DMV decisions”. Furthermore you usually can’t take the car to the DMV until it is completed or nearly so. Even with experience with 2 other vehicles in the past, during the entire 6 or 7 years I worked on my current Rat there was a dark cloud hanging over the project the entire time. With the listed kit car it would be very helpful if the chassis had a title or clear DMV history and then every major part had documentation. I’m sure some states are easier and other states are harder. :-) Terry J
Yes Oregon is trying it’s best to emulate California. My state, Nevada, is not only trying to be California, but it seens that the employees are taking classes in negative attitude from California trainers.
Most kit car companies provide an MSO (Manfacturers Statement of Origin) With that and presenting the vehicle for inspection (and it passes inspection) are usually all you need. But not having that info requires a book of receipts showing where all the parts came from. And sometimes that’s not enough. The same goes for home built trailers. So much fun!
I have a spare Rover V-8 that would fit nicely in this.
That particular drive train crossed my mind when reading about this car! Getting a power plant, whatever it is, will be, by far, the easiest part of the project. Obtaining missing one-off parts and pieces will be a challenge, and as the article states, fabrication required. Fire up the 3-D printer!
SBC & TH700R4 ~ this could make a nice ride.
Keeping it in the ford family , a turboed 4 and the paddle shift auto from a mustang would turn this lightweight into an absolute screamer
And drive the cost far beyond the SBC & TH700R4 route, which would also make it a screamer. It isn’t a Ford, it’s anything someone wants to make it. Why does everyone want to do something exotic when the same results can be had for far less money?
hey Joe ,you wrote this! it’s anything someone wants to make it,so my take is as good as yours
It will be a long, long time-consuming journey before this car will be ready for the road. First thing I would do, is take inventory of everything that’s there, and what is needed. Then try to obtain what’s missing. An abundance of patience and a good supply of moolah will be necessary. The rewards could be great for the right buyer, however, provided the car doesn’t require a second and third mortgage to finance its assembly.
Okay, y’all will think I’m nuts, but:
Ford 300 six-cylinder engine from a ’96 truck
Three Rochester 97s on custom intake
5- speed Borg -Warner from a Mustang (probably the biggest pain to put in but just feels right)
Paint the car green like the NY Jets helmets!
Now all I need is money and skills….
The mighty Ford 300 / 4.9 would be a great choice. Cars of this vintage didn’t have V8s so that engine would appear period vs. a typical sbc or sbf. :-) Terry J
I like the 300 6 cylinder. (Have one) But that engine is TALL! And if using the factory SFI it’s even taller. I don’t think it would clear the hood on this car. Which is why I suggested the slant six. Makes for a low hood profile. And they can be made pretty peppy!
buick v6 with inglese porsche webers with 6 spd or auto. have the parts now. lol
It looks like the unfinished body was made with a giant “Vac-U-Form”. Those things got incredibly hot.
Talk about a blank canvas, doesn’t get much blanker(?) than this. I’m not sure of the appeal here, “regular” British roadsters are falling on deaf ears, does someone actually have the ambition for this? I’d certainly keep it powered by an inline 6 (300 a great choice) for as close to a Brit as could be. Not for a novice, that’s for sure.