275 Napier Railton (1933)
The magnificent Napier-Railton is an aero-engined racing car built in 1933, designed by Reid Railton as a commission from John Cobb and built by Taylor and Thompson. Driven mostly by John Cobb and a regular on the outer circuit at Brooklands race circuit, Surrey England. Between 1933-37 it broke 47 World Speed records at Brooklands, Montlhery, France and the Utah Salt Flats, USA. In 1935 it broke the the track record at Brooklands at an average lap speed of 143.44 mph (230.84km) which now stands in perpetuity, since the track was forever destroyed in the construction of the airfield. Since then the car has been used for parachute testing and starred in the film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.
The car is powered by a naturally aspirated Napier Lion W12 engine of 23,944cc producing 500bhp. The twelve cylinders are in three banks of four hence the triple exhaust system. The gear box is a crash box with three ratios. There is a 65 gallon fuel tank and the car consumes approximately one gallon for five miles. Capable of 168 mph but with only rear wheel braking..
Previous owners include Patrick Lindsay and Victor Gauntlet but was purchased in 1997 with the aid of Heritage Lottery funding by Brooklands Museum were it now very appropriately resides. It is maintained in fully working order and is a regularly run at the annual Goodwood Revival meeting
Shot at The Enfield Pagaent 30.05.2010 were it was fired up. Ref 55-275
275 Napier Railton (1933)
The magnificent Napier-Railton is an aero-engined racing car built in 1933, designed by Reid Railton as a commission from John Cobb and built by Taylor and Thompson. Driven mostly by John Cobb and a regular on the outer circuit at Brooklands race circuit, Surrey England. Between 1933-37 it broke 47 World Speed records at Brooklands, Montlhery, France and the Utah Salt Flats, USA. In 1935 it broke the the track record at Brooklands at an average lap speed of 143.44 mph (230.84km) which now stands in perpetuity, since the track was forever destroyed in the construction of the airfield. Since then the car has been used for parachute testing and starred in the film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.
The car is powered by a naturally aspirated Napier Lion W12 engine of 23,944cc producing 500bhp. The twelve cylinders are in three banks of four hence the triple exhaust system. The gear box is a crash box with three ratios. There is a 65 gallon fuel tank and the car consumes approximately one gallon for five miles. Capable of 168 mph but with only rear wheel braking..
Previous owners include Patrick Lindsay and Victor Gauntlet but was purchased in 1997 with the aid of Heritage Lottery funding by Brooklands Museum were it now very appropriately resides. It is maintained in fully working order and is a regularly run at the annual Goodwood Revival meeting
Shot at The Enfield Pagaent 30.05.2010 were it was fired up. Ref 55-275