Napier Railton
Encyclopedia
Aero-engined
Aero-engined is a term used to describe a car fitted with an engine designed for aircraft use. This practice was popular in the inter-war period of the early 20th century in the quest for improved car performance...
race car built in 1933, designed by Reid Railton to a commission by John Cobb
John Cobb (motorist)
John Rhodes Cobb was a British racing motorist. He made money as a director of fur brokers Anning, Chadwick and Kiver and could afford to specialise in large capacity motor-racing...
, and built by Thomson & Taylor
Thomson & Taylor
Thomson & Taylor were a motor-racing engineering and car-building firm, based within the Brooklands race track. They were active between the wars and built several of the famous land speed record breaking cars of the day....
. It was driven by Cobb, mainly at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
race track where it holds the all-time lap record (143.44 mi/h) which was set in 1935 and now stands in perpetuity since the track fell into disuse during the Second World War.
Between 1933 and 1937 the Napier-Railton broke 47 World speed records at Brooklands, Montlhéry and Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
The car is powered by a naturally aspirated Napier Lion
Napier Lion
The Napier Lion was a 12-cylinder broad arrow configuration aircraft engine built by Napier & Son starting in 1917, and ending in the 1930s. A number of advanced features made it the most powerful engine of its day, and kept it in production long after contemporary designs had stopped production...
, a W12
W12 engine
A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12...
of 23.944 litres (1,460 cu in) capacity, producing just over 500 brake horse power at 2200 revolutions per minute. The 12 cylinders are in three banks of four, hence the triple exhaust system. The crash gearbox has 3 ratios. The fuel tank has a capacity of 65 gallons and fuel consumption was approximately 5 mpg. Although capable of 168 mph (270 km/h) the car has rear wheel braking only.
Postwar owners include Patrick Lindsay
Patrick Lindsay
Patrick J. Lindsay was an Irish politician and lawyer. He was born in Dublin but before his second birthday, his family returned to their native County Mayo, settling in the village of Doolough, Kiltane Parish, Erris. He received his primary education at Gweesalia National School, and attended...
and Victor Gauntlett
Victor Gauntlett
Malcolm Victor Gauntlett was an English petrochemical entrepreneur and car enthusiast, best known for forming the largest independent petrol retail business in the United Kingdom, and for reviving Aston Martin.-Biography:...
but it was purchased by Brooklands Museum
Brooklands Museum
Brooklands Museum is an independent charitable trust, established in 1987, whose aim is to conserve, protect and interpret the unique heritage of the Brooklands site. It is located south of Weybridge, Surrey and was first opened regularly in 1991 on of the original 1907 motor-racing circuit...
circa 1997 with the support of the UK's Heritage Lottery Fund and other donors. It is maintained in fully working order and normally on display in one of the museum's 1930s motoring sheds. The car is run regularly and is usually present at the Goodwood Revival
Goodwood Revival
The Goodwood Revival is a three-day festival held each September since 1998 for the types of road racing cars and motorcycle that would have competed during the circuit's original period—1948-1966. It is one of the world’s most popular motor race meetings and the only UK event which recreates the...
motor race meeting every September.