The Beast from 1972 with 27.0-liter Merlin engine up for public sale

The phrase “distinctive” will get thrown round loads, however it undoubtedly applies to The Beast, which packs a 27.0-liter Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 plane engine right into a customized chassis and physique. Constructed by British mechanic John Dodd, it is being auctioned off on-line by Car and Classic. Bidding opens March 9.

Plane engine swaps had been executed earlier than, particularly through the prewar interval, however the The Beast took issues to a different stage by harnessing the legendary Merlin. Developed by Rolls-Royce, but in addition manufactured beneath license within the U.S. by Packard, it powered among the most profitable World Battle II fighter planes, together with the Superman Spitfire and North American P-51 Mustang.

The Beast (photograph through Automobile and Traditional)

The naturally aspirated engine is assumed to supply 750 hp, which the itemizing notes is cheap contemplating that manufacturing variations of the Meteor engine had been rated at 1,500 hp with a supercharger. Dodd additionally as soon as claimed 950 hp and 760 lb-ft of torque. A transmission specialist by commerce, he additionally modified a Normal Motors Turbo 400 3-speed automated to work with the large V-12. It initially despatched energy to a Jaguar rear axle, however a sturdier Currie unit now handles the facility.

The Beast is not the one Merlin-powered automotive round. Jay Leno has a 1934 Rolls-Royce powered the historic engine, estimated to make about 1,000 hp and 1,750 lb-ft. However whereas Leno’s automotive has by no means been top-speed examined, The Beast reached 183 mph in a 1973 Royal Vehicle Membership (RAC) check.

The Beast’s story begins in 1966 when Paul Jameson constructed the body and sourced a variant of the Merlin engine known as the Meteor that was designed to be used in tanks. He by no means completed the venture, ultimately promoting the engine and chassis to Dodd, who accomplished it with a fiberglass physique in 1972.

The Beast (photograph through Automobile and Traditional)

The automotive was broken in a hearth at one level, after which the unique engine was changed with a brand new certainly one of an identical spec, and the unique physique was changed with the present shooting-brake model.

The Beast as soon as had a Rolls-Royce grille in homage to the engine, one thing that did not amuse the corporate, in line with the public sale itemizing. Rolls sued and received, though Dodd reportedly did not change the grille till a couple of years after the lawsuit concluded. The automotive is listed as a Rolls-Royce on its U.Ok. registration, nevertheless.

The automotive has had 4 homeowners through the years, all considered members of Dodd’s household. The itemizing claims it is nonetheless in operating situation, though the place anybody would drive this aptly named creation is unclear.