Apr 30

The Chandler Royale Eight

This was touched on in the Hupp thread but I think it deserves its own conversation. I had never heard of this car before and given that @Chandler-Six estimates only a few cars may survive that helps explain it.

Chris can probably explain better but prior to acquisition by Hupp in Chandler had begun development of an inline eight cylinder engine. This resulted in the production of the Royale Eight in 1928. @Hupp31 theorizes that this is the basis for the later Model H and U Hupmobile engines.

Apr 30, 2026

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Replies (30)

· Apr 30

Some period mentions of the Royal Eight in the newspapers. All newspaper mentions of automobiles were glowing, even when companies were teetering on bankruptcy.

(edited)

· Apr 30

Four standard body styles were introduced. Two 5 passengers sedans (that look identical), a seven passenger sedan and a cabriolet.

· Apr 30

Some specifications are given here including 303 cubic inches for the engine.

· Apr 30

Here is a link to the AACA forum where Chris posted about a car that was discovered:

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/353283-found-a-1928-chandler-royal-8/

· Apr 30

Period advertisement.

· Apr 30

Were the Woodlites aftermarket or did the factory install them?

· May 1

@ShawnG I have no record that the Chandler factory ever offered them. Maybe a Dealer or owner added them to this car.

· Apr 30

I would assume that the seven passenger models would have been on a longer chassis, correct?

· Apr 30

A closer look at the five and seven passenger sedans.

· Apr 30

@Hupp31 Looking at the doors I'm thinking they extended the body back over the rear axle further for 7 passengers? Wheelbase looks the same.

· May 1

@alsancle Assuming that the illustrations are accurate, which is a lot to assume, the rear door of the seven passenger is further forward of the axle. So I’m wondering if it’s a bit of both. But yes, the tonneau definitely extends further behind the axle.

· May 1

@alsancle unfortunately Chandler stopped advertising wheellbase measurements for their cars in 1926.

· May 2

@Chandler-Six Really? That’s very strange.

· Apr 30

Record breaking run by a 1927 Chandler. It looks long enough to be an eight but I’m not sure.

· Apr 30

1928 Advertisement.

· Apr 30

Visor on a roadster windshield is interesting. A bit more information attached to this one. https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/31142

· Apr 30

Would be great to find some photos of actual cars instead of the period drawings.

· Apr 30

Fantastic shot of a 1927 showroom. Would the touring car on the left be a Royal 8?

· Apr 30

@Hupp31 I'm not sure what the distinguishing features are between the lower end models and the top of the line Royale 8 models. They all have the same radiator shell and louvers.

· Apr 30

@alsancle Looks like 3 rows of horizontal hood louvers vs 2.

· Apr 30

@alsancle

· Apr 30

@Hupp31 All the cars in the show picture look like they have vertical louvers.

· May 1

@alsancle I see some 1927 cars with vertical and some with horizontal. I think all the eights were horizontal. But I wasn’t sure about that touring car, it’s blurry on my phone. May be clearer on a bigger screen.

· May 1

@alsancle Yup, I’m just blind. Went back and zoomed in, they’re vertical. Well anyway, it’s a cool picture.

· Apr 30

1928 Royal 8 and 1929 Royal 85 from same owner on AACA forums.

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· May 1

@Hupp31 as I understand it the Chandler eight was built in response to the Jordan Eight in 1925, but it was not release until 1927. With Hupmobile acquisition on Nov. 22, 1928 I am sure they were trying to get every dollar rung out of Chandler and used whatever that could to incorporate into their cars.

· May 1

@Chandler-Six
Love this thread. I'm learning a lot. I know nothing about Huppmobile or Chandler other than knowing the names.

· May 2

@Chandler-Six There was definitely a rush on the eight cylinder market among the mid-priced manufacturers from 1925-1927. I’m sure there was some cross-town rivalry with Jordan that further motivated them. They came out swinging though, a counter-balanced crankshaft in 1927 was ahead of its time in that price range.

· May 12

1929 Chandler Royal 75-8 Engine