Saw John Dodd last month in fuengirola Spain, he was on his own shopping and he’s still going strong. He still has the beast but he’s not sure what to do with it as it will be very difficult to put it on Spanish plates. Anyway, John looked like there’s still some years in him, l know many will want to send him best wishes for the time he still has.
Met John yesterday on a flight from Malaga to Gatwick .. sat next to him on the flight.. What a guy he is "I'm Famous don't you know" was his opening line. from there on in I didn't get a word in edge ways ... eccentric and wonderful man. not many like him still around. What a pleasure. But if you get sat next to him on a flight , you can forget trying to get 40 winks in! boy can he talk! Best wishes John , your still going strong.
This car deserves a full scale documentary made on it. People would love to hear John talking about it over an hour. There must be someone out there professionally, who could film it 'opening its wings at full throttle', with John behind the wheel at nearly 90.
Fantastic. I have very fond memories of John, he helped me fix my Mustang back in about 1987 down on the coast. Fond memories of Soosie too, I hope you're all well, your dad was a genius Soosie.
Saturday 23/05/09: we drove along the Coast from Dad's Automatic Transmission repair business in Churriana to Marbella, the The Beast is about 35 years old now, my Dad John Dodd is nearly 77, I still cannot believe how scarily FAST it is, over 100 mph in seconds!!!!
Hey, you folks should speak with Richard Hammond. I think he could be your man, for finding a loving home for the Beast. He will want to tell your dad's story as well. I'm sure of it.
Yeah! I saw that somewhere too, but can assure you John Dodd is still firing on all cylinders repairing automatic transmissions here in Spain!! My brother Paul Dodd runs the Surrey Muscle car club in England & is fine too!!
This made me smile as did the comments! BRAVO Mr Dodd from a fellow English eccentric in a French forest! (Cue national anthem, raises visor and winks). Best wishes and long may you reign Sir. 🏆⚒️🇬🇧
I read about this in a book in the late 80s and kind of forgot about it for a while, I searched online some years ago to little success and began to think I had imagined it and that it was an urban legend until I saw this. A great example of good old British eccentricity.
I remmeber this odd car in an old PS1 racing game back in the day. I never selected it because I thought it was a "grandma car" and looked weird, but I was finally forced to use it in a race and I said out loud "DAMN! This thing is freking fast!" hahaha Now 25 years later, I understand why It was such a beast
I love the creativity and uniqueness of this car. I also love how times change and new toys come into being. today many eccentric automotive fans go the opposite direction, putting electric motors into classic old car designs. It is important that governments should not forbid this kind of artistic expression and creativity.
@SvenTviking - Thanks again for your interest - The transmission is an automatic car transmission with a 'torque converter' specially designed by my Father which is connected to a 'step up' box designed by the late Paul Jameson who designed the rolling chassis originally. The step up box is to convert the low ratio of the aircraft engine. I have created a 'Fan' page on Facebook with pictures including recent ones of the step up box being overhauled see:'The Beast' 27 litre Merlin aeroengined car
Dad says that it is actually around 1,000bhp now as he has changed the pistons to increase the compression ratio. It is SO powerful it is frightening, Dad has become a 'spot' on the horizon many times in front of me when I have been trying to film him! I have never even dared to drive it yet, although I am very tempted..................that bonnet is so long. I have fired the Beast up & rev'ved, amazing feeling that power under the pedal! ;)
Thanks for the comment. Upon researching the engine number we actually discovered that the 'Beast's' merlin engine was originally from a Balliol aircraft used in the war.
With all the emphasis on Britishness, Battle of Britain spirit, Merlin engines - they opted for Ride of the Valkyries by German composer Wagner, Hitler’s favourite. Great choice guys.
“Cavalier Attitude”, good for him. A distinctly English take on a Muscle Car or Hot Rod. As they say in the American drag racing circuit, “there’s no replacement for displacement”.
Anyone noticed this Car was a Ford Capri Mk1 (Doors, he used the Capris Rear Fenders as Front Fenders. Roof and Windshield from the Capri. Cockpit from the Capri, taillights from the Capri. And the First Version even had the side Windows of the Capri
A great opportunity to present an awesome piece of engineering and motoring history and the presenter carries on like a tool, slamming doors and jumping on the hood. Your brother should have slapped him for that. Great piece of work by your father and thanks for sharing. Watching from Oz 👍
It depends on the mark of engine, they went from 1 to 2000 hp. They had on the later marks a two stage supercharger, geared giving two speeds. There were low medium and high altitude engines with the supercharger geared for those heights.
At the Reno Air Races though increased boost (and different pistons do doubt - crankshaft?) - they are getting about 3500 hp out of these. I saw one up there with the cam covers out and thought if not for metallurgy improvements and electronics this engine would be a state of the art design today. I used to know an old Englishman - top mechanic - who said through the 60s these were so plentiful from WW2 that if you broke one another crated one - in cosmolene - was easily obtainable.
Amazing car! A guy who works for a magazine called Practical Performance Car has put a similar engine in a Rover SD1 (i think his came from a tank, but it's still the same basically). Havent read PPC for ages but last i heard it was MOT'd and on the road!
Wow, and people say the new presenters are bad... Awesome car though and it did look cool wth the RR grill, shame the Rolls toffs had no sense of humour.
Yes, how dare they use one of our quality radiators with one of our quality engines? This has caused a kerfuffle down at the club, what what. Lord Fumbletwit nearly dropped his cigar when he heard! I say, Jeeves! Get our solicitors to do something lawyery to that man.
@@trapezius77 They can't enforce what you do with the product after you purchase it. If I buy an iPod and glue it to the hood of my car as an ornament, Apple can't sue me for trademark violation. Likewise, if you buy a Rolls Royce and take the radiator off and put it on your Honda Civic, BMW (owners of Rolls Royce) can't sue you. You're allowed to cobble together whatever you want.
@@cosmic-fortytwo if you took the grille and logo from one car and prominently put it on another, especially a famous car, and passed off your car with the name of the one that the grille came from, expect that company to call you, again, especially if your car has been in the press and popular media. That's just common sense. Your analogy of iPod on a car is completely useless.
@@jrodsumpthin7516 lol.... lame. What are you, 15? My point was when making a comment about a classic movie, please at least spell the family's name correctly. Griswold. And 13 years late? Not sure about that one. Peace man, no offence
@@guytansbariva2295 What are you 12... Let's bomb someone's co..ent for thier spelling. Look at my name dumbass. Does it look like igaf. Griz Wald mf. 🖕
@v8guvnor Thanks! Dad keeps the Beast at his business here in Spain, close to Malaga airport (if you click on the 'info' tab you wil see tel. numbers, map etc.) if you are ever down this way! He takes it out regularly with a local car club, to the odd event, only 2 weeks ago a rear wheel bearing broke so he is currently repairing it! I tried to get The Beast invited to Goodwood this year but was unsucessful as the theme was 'Viva Veloce'. Hoping maybe next year as a UK blast is long overdue!
A Merlin without a supercharger is a Meteor. So, not the engine that powered the Spitfire, but the one that powered the Cromwell, Comet and the early Centurion tanks. Not that glamourous, but equally mighty.
When crude oil prices reached $0 dollars in April 2020 I think the Saudi's gave Mr. Dodd a phone call, lol! I just learned about this car for the first time ever, that sure made my day, well year, actually.
what is the screeching noise apparent when driving the car? is it the reduction gearing? or just old age of the gearbox? you never really hear the beautiful merlin sound, only the screech, but id still love to drive it!
850hp naturally aspired, bit low for the size of the engine though. But not many ppl can say "Yeah, I just fitted my carengine with a supercharger and gained an additional 550hp" XD Hats off to John for daring to be diffrent.
add on the engine was suppose to be supercharged but they couldn't fit it under the hood. and the torque is huge for that car just due to the fact the pistons are massive low horse power but could plob pull a dump truck
Thanks for the message! The car is featured in 'EVO' car magazine in October. John Dodd has a My Space account where I will be uploading more photos etc. Regards Soosie.
I saw a special on tv about the ore used to make the crankshafts and Bering for the Merlin wich it turns out to be the Soul reason for the Success of that motor.
Watched the after 10years video...you're dad is one of the last of the great "real blokes"...my uncle Tom is the same and i take my hat off to these guys.! They could still lift a bloddy tank in this day...kids take a note out of their books..i know i am.."subscribed"..💖👌👍🤘🤘
Thanks for the comment!! Dad & I have just been watching your amazing video of the Ekranoplan Caspian Sea Monster, AWESOME!!, shame this documentary has not been dubbed in english as it is really interesting!! Regards, Soosie ;)
Thanks everyone for all the interest!!! The car will be appearing in 'EVO' car magazine in October for those who are interested. I will also be posting interesting photos & snippets of the car on John Dodd's 'My Space' shortly & look forward to maybe receiving photos or comments that people may have!! My Dad really enjoys being remembered, thanks! Soosie Dodd :)
+FutureAlloy65 this isnt supercharged, its N.A. and doesn't even reach 1000HP. the engine in the spitfire is supercharged and produces 1400HP, this isn't a spitfire engine. did you watch the video, they tell its power.
nope, the most built merlin's put around 1300hp..I think this engine is a Merlin Meteor version, special development for tanks, without supercharger, power 600HP...
@soosiedodd Robert Jameson, Paul's son, is a family friend .. I remember The Beast being stored in his barn for many years in the mid 90's. I guess it's made it's way back to John now.
@somerandomaussie Iwould love to know if 3000hp is the true figure. Thats getting on for the state of tune used on Merlins flying in racing Mustangs at Reno, flying round the poles. Highest wartime rating was just over 2000hp on P51H and DeHavilland Hornets. And they were two of the fastest piston engine aircraft ever.
Subscribed👍 love big engine's and cars and this has it all. I like the exhausts but I would of had them either out of the side of the wings or straight up through the bonnet.👍💛
@SvenTviking Hi Sven, thanks for your comment. However this car belongs to my Father & it's Merlin engine was confirmed by serial number to be originally from a Boulton Balliol Training aircraft, not a Spitfire as originally thought, but it definately is a Merlin ;)
Thank you Suzanne & family. I found out recently that Merlins that became unfit for aircraft use were reworked to become Meteor. supplemented by new production by Rover for tank use, i.e. no supercharger & detuned for pool petrol. My Grandad "batted for the opposition" built transmissions for Churchill tanks.
Interesting, as a TV programme many years ago said it was a Meteor. Perhaps the transmission is meteor as the aircraft transmission is for a propellor which is at the top front of the engine and would be difficult to link to a car type propshaft.
The original "Beast" was in Custom Car Magazine the artical as mind blowing in it's day including the fact the original had to slip it's then manual clutch upto I think it was 30mph or it'd just stand still and wheel spin.
He should make his own grill or even use a Continental Mark IV grill, the 72 version was split for a bumper... Would look great 👍 As for the Flying Lady... 🤔
Rest in Peace Mr Dodd; an engineer, a dreamer, a magician…just like Merlin. 🫡
It's still on the road! And Mr Dodd still alive and kicking. Spoke to him last week in Fuengirola, still as mad as ever. Great bloke.
Seriously, for real? Lucky you.
86 yrs old now and still going strong.
88 years old now and still going strong 💪🎉
@@mikewa2 ....Dad is healthy thanks! 😊👍
Saw John Dodd last month in fuengirola Spain, he was on his own shopping and he’s still going strong. He still has the beast but he’s not sure what to do with it as it will be very difficult to put it on Spanish plates. Anyway, John looked like there’s still some years in him, l know many will want to send him best wishes for the time he still has.
Good job the presenter screamed a lot and they dubbed lots of music otherwise there's a risk we might have heard the Merlin engine.
Old Top Gear was horrid. Every segment cringier than the last. This was unusually egregious.
Now I know why my parents refer to the television as “the idiot box.”
@@cosmic-fortytwo kill your TV
Above the sound of the gearbox?
@@richsackett3423 shit gear
Thanks for the comment!! Dad was really flattered. He is always saying that nothing is Great about Britain anymore, not even Rolls Royce!
I still agree with him!
Sadly, I have to agree with him.
What's Paul up to these days? I haven't seen him since the Bellway job in Borough High Street.
He was right so early!
Met John yesterday on a flight from Malaga to Gatwick .. sat next to him on the flight.. What a guy he is "I'm Famous don't you know" was his opening line. from there on in I didn't get a word in edge ways ... eccentric and wonderful man. not many like him still around. What a pleasure. But if you get sat next to him on a flight , you can forget trying to get 40 winks in! boy can he talk!
Best wishes John , your still going strong.
This car deserves a full scale documentary made on it. People would love to hear John talking about it over an hour. There must be someone out there professionally, who could film it 'opening its wings at full throttle', with John behind the wheel at nearly 90.
He's gone now
Fantastic. I have very fond memories of John, he helped me fix my Mustang back in about 1987 down on the coast. Fond memories of Soosie too, I hope you're all well, your dad was a genius Soosie.
Incredible if true
Sufi NONCE
Saturday 23/05/09: we drove along the Coast from Dad's Automatic Transmission repair business in Churriana to Marbella, the The Beast is about 35 years old now, my Dad John Dodd is nearly 77, I still cannot believe how scarily FAST it is, over 100 mph in seconds!!!!
Incredible if true
Hey, you folks should speak with Richard Hammond. I think he could be your man, for finding a loving home for the Beast. He will want to tell your dad's story as well. I'm sure of it.
How's Soopsr Suzie !! ❤️
Yeah! I saw that somewhere too, but can assure you John Dodd is still firing on all cylinders repairing automatic transmissions here in Spain!! My brother Paul Dodd runs the Surrey Muscle car club in England & is fine too!!
This made me smile as did the comments! BRAVO Mr Dodd from a fellow English eccentric in a French forest! (Cue national anthem, raises visor and winks).
Best wishes and long may you reign Sir. 🏆⚒️🇬🇧
An interesting car, a crap presenter.
Amazing piece of british engineering, and this car has recently been through the MOT in 2020!!
Well done the Dodds. Is it still in the family?
It went up for sale for the first time ever a few weeks ago
@@badcampa2641that's because he has passed....sad really. Hope they keep it, but its doubtful
I read about this in a book in the late 80s and kind of forgot about it for a while, I searched online some years ago to little success and began to think I had imagined it and that it was an urban legend until I saw this. A great example of good old British eccentricity.
6:27 top gear invented dank edits
I remmeber this odd car in an old PS1 racing game back in the day. I never selected it because I thought it was a "grandma car" and looked weird, but I was finally forced to use it in a race and I said out loud "DAMN! This thing is freking fast!" hahaha
Now 25 years later, I understand why It was such a beast
Can you remember what the game was called?
what was the game?
I love the creativity and uniqueness of this car. I also love how times change and new toys come into being. today many eccentric automotive fans go the opposite direction, putting electric motors into classic old car designs. It is important that governments should not forbid this kind of artistic expression and creativity.
@SvenTviking - Thanks again for your interest - The transmission is an automatic car transmission with a 'torque converter' specially designed by my Father which is connected to a 'step up' box designed by the late Paul Jameson who designed the rolling chassis originally. The step up box is to convert the low ratio of the aircraft engine. I have created a 'Fan' page on Facebook with pictures including recent ones of the step up box being overhauled see:'The Beast' 27 litre Merlin aeroengined car
I remember well when John first started the merlin engine and plenty of smoke came out poping out the garage fire alarm, nice memories...
It sold for £72,500 in an auction on 18 March 2023, the Dodd family had it all this time.
Brilliant true British eccentric what a legend John
Dad says that it is actually around 1,000bhp now as he has changed the pistons to increase the compression ratio. It is SO powerful it is frightening, Dad has become a 'spot' on the horizon many times in front of me when I have been trying to film him! I have never even dared to drive it yet, although I am very tempted..................that bonnet is so long. I have fired the Beast up & rev'ved, amazing feeling that power under the pedal! ;)
Thanks for the comment. Upon researching the engine number we actually discovered that the 'Beast's' merlin engine was originally from a Balliol aircraft used in the war.
How are you doing in 2022?
Is it a Meteor, the tank engine version of the Merlin
@@markfisher5628 there was a car with the meteor (the red car), that car burned down and was rebuilt to this.
With all the emphasis on Britishness, Battle of Britain spirit, Merlin engines - they opted for Ride of the Valkyries by German composer Wagner, Hitler’s favourite. Great choice guys.
Do they explain why he wanted the front end to look like the Griswold Family Truckster.
Superb, we need more of these sort of people....my kind of nutter..... !
What a car and what a feat of engineering. Sheer genius,
Wow that intro music takes me back to being a very young petrol head watching TopGear with my Dad :')
only in England would a bloke do that. love it. That presenter is a proper plonker.
Cheeky bloke jumping on the car
I saw this Car at a Car Show in Milton Keynes (UK. Great to see its still around!
RIP John Dodd.
“Cavalier Attitude”, good for him.
A distinctly English take on a Muscle Car or Hot Rod.
As they say in the American drag racing circuit, “there’s no replacement for displacement”.
"First thing, Seat Belts?" , "Oh don't worry about seat belts." made me laugh
Ahhhhhh, the days of car tv shows devoid of car people
So it really exists! I remember hearing about this motor when I was a teen. It's legendary. Thank you for posting this. :o)
Anyone noticed this Car was a Ford Capri Mk1 (Doors, he used the Capris Rear Fenders as Front Fenders. Roof and Windshield from the Capri. Cockpit from the Capri, taillights from the Capri. And the First Version even had the side Windows of the Capri
A great opportunity to present an awesome piece of engineering and motoring history and the presenter carries on like a tool, slamming doors and jumping on the hood. Your brother should have slapped him for that. Great piece of work by your father and thanks for sharing. Watching from Oz 👍
That presenter needed shutting up!
Disrespectful tool.
Awesome :D :D The Beast is alive and well in Spain.
6:32 Car makes show host go brrrrrrrrrrttt...
Hi there!
Yes, I saw the Rover & was amazed how much it sounded like my Dad's car!!
It depends on the mark of engine, they went from 1 to 2000 hp. They had on the later marks a two stage supercharger, geared giving two speeds. There were low medium and high altitude engines with the supercharger geared for those heights.
Jay Leno's Merlin powered roadster is 1600 horsepower de-tuned. It sits on an old Royce frame. Beast!
God Bless the Dodd Family!🙏🏼
Fantastic.
What car did he use as the base of it and is the body custom or based off a real car?
Hi Bruce - The chassis was actually custom built around & specifically for the engine and is unique - number 001
Thanks for letting me know! Was just curious.
looks like a cross between Ron Jeremy's couch and that hilarious wagon on national lampoon's vacation
At the Reno Air Races though increased boost (and different pistons do doubt - crankshaft?) - they are getting about 3500 hp out of these. I saw one up there with the cam covers out and thought if not for metallurgy improvements and electronics this engine would be a state of the art design today.
I used to know an old Englishman - top mechanic - who said through the 60s these were so plentiful from WW2 that if you broke one another crated one - in cosmolene - was easily obtainable.
Amazing car! A guy who works for a magazine called Practical Performance Car has put a similar engine in a Rover SD1 (i think his came from a tank, but it's still the same basically). Havent read PPC for ages but last i heard it was MOT'd and on the road!
Wow, and people say the new presenters are bad...
Awesome car though and it did look cool wth the RR grill, shame the Rolls toffs had no sense of humour.
Yes, how dare they use one of our quality radiators with one of our quality engines? This has caused a kerfuffle down at the club, what what. Lord Fumbletwit nearly dropped his cigar when he heard! I say, Jeeves! Get our solicitors to do something lawyery to that man.
Trademarks are not jokes.
@@trapezius77
Why can’t the Infiniti car company trademark ∞ ?
Because the legal battle would be endless.
@@trapezius77 They can't enforce what you do with the product after you purchase it. If I buy an iPod and glue it to the hood of my car as an ornament, Apple can't sue me for trademark violation. Likewise, if you buy a Rolls Royce and take the radiator off and put it on your Honda Civic, BMW (owners of Rolls Royce) can't sue you. You're allowed to cobble together whatever you want.
@@cosmic-fortytwo if you took the grille and logo from one car and prominently put it on another, especially a famous car, and passed off your car with the name of the one that the grille came from, expect that company to call you, again, especially if your car has been in the press and popular media. That's just common sense. Your analogy of iPod on a car is completely useless.
I just want a diecast model of this.
3:30 im amazed how well that handles being 5000 lbs with no power steering and most of that weight up front.
@tractorboyandy 0-60 in 4 or 5 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 12 seconds - Thanks for the question ;)
What about top speed ?
@@healthgods The Vidoe mentioned something about 200mph
Yes, I'm 13 years late but, that's what the Grizwalds needed on thier vacation to Wally World.
We don't trust comments from people with new TH-cam accounts, sorry. Are you a Russian or Chinese Troll maybe? Lol 😂
@@guytansbariva2295
Gfym.
I did
@@jrodsumpthin7516 lol.... lame. What are you, 15?
My point was when making a comment about a classic movie, please at least spell the family's name correctly. Griswold. And 13 years late? Not sure about that one. Peace man, no offence
@@guytansbariva2295
Hey, while your busy fuckin off, why don't you try to find a life.
@@guytansbariva2295
What are you 12... Let's bomb someone's co..ent for thier spelling. Look at my name dumbass. Does it look like igaf. Griz Wald mf. 🖕
You're a gentleman and a scholar with moderate overachievment tendencies, bless you sir.
@v8guvnor Thanks! Dad keeps the Beast at his business here in Spain, close to Malaga airport (if you click on the 'info' tab you wil see tel. numbers, map etc.) if you are ever down this way! He takes it out regularly with a local car club, to the odd event, only 2 weeks ago a rear wheel bearing broke so he is currently repairing it! I tried to get The Beast invited to Goodwood this year but was unsucessful as the theme was 'Viva Veloce'. Hoping maybe next year as a UK blast is long overdue!
Saw this at Santapod raceway used to have a rolls Royce grill but had to take it off..
I like the ole boys attitude towards authority,,,my kind of guy,
Great story and video
A Merlin without a supercharger is a Meteor. So, not the engine that powered the Spitfire, but the one that powered the Cromwell, Comet and the early Centurion tanks. Not that glamourous, but equally mighty.
This thing going 100 mph getting squirrelly would be like riding inside of a rolling pin with out seat belts !
When crude oil prices reached $0 dollars in April 2020 I think the Saudi's gave Mr. Dodd a phone call, lol! I just learned about this car for the first time ever, that sure made my day, well year, actually.
Thank you! 🙏 Back in the 1970’s BP used to sponsor my Dad in the car but not now! 1 mile per gallon / 1 liter per kilometer 😅😂
We need more John Todd's, lots more
@Chamba1977 Sorry to hear that!! Thanks so much for checking anyway....... ;) If you find anything else let me know ;)
what is the screeching noise apparent when driving the car? is it the reduction gearing? or just old age of the gearbox? you never really hear the beautiful merlin sound, only the screech, but id still love to drive it!
I was on the same ferry from Gothenburg to the Uk that J Dodd missed because of his car catching fire it was in 1974 as I remember
true, boy have we come along way
850hp naturally aspired, bit low for the size of the engine though.
But not many ppl can say "Yeah, I just fitted my carengine with a supercharger and gained an additional 550hp" XD
Hats off to John for daring to be diffrent.
add on the engine was suppose to be supercharged but they couldn't fit it under the hood. and the torque is huge for that car just due to the fact the pistons are massive low horse power but could plob pull a dump truck
6:57 oh that door closing says exactly what i think of this eye sore
Thanks for the message! The car is featured in 'EVO' car magazine in October. John Dodd has a My Space account where I will be uploading more photos etc. Regards Soosie.
The first motoring article I ever read was about this car.
I saw a special on tv about the ore used to make the crankshafts and Bering for the Merlin wich it turns out to be the Soul reason for the Success of that motor.
Third video on this car and I still haven’t heard the Merlin!! I’m off to the Hurricane channel
Watched the after 10years video...you're dad is one of the last of the great "real blokes"...my uncle Tom is the same and i take my hat off to these guys.! They could still lift a bloddy tank in this day...kids take a note out of their books..i know i am.."subscribed"..💖👌👍🤘🤘
the engine was from a boulton paul trainer aircraft.
amazing bit of kit but nothin beats a old supercharged spit
Thanks for the comment!! Dad & I have just been watching your amazing video of the Ekranoplan Caspian Sea Monster, AWESOME!!, shame this documentary has not been dubbed in english as it is really interesting!!
Regards, Soosie ;)
I hate it when big companies think they can ruin peoples custom made cars.... Like that incident with The Mustang in the US
@themollusc .....no problem!! Thanks for your interest ;)
What year was this?
Was it built by Dodd himself? or did Rolls Build it?
As Clarkson would say ... it's Steve Ducati Berry. I used to always change channel to avoid his obnoxious tone!
I'm here because Jay mentioned that he knows John in one of his videos, and those Merlin car guys like to stick together. 👍☺️🇬🇧
The car is in GTO magazine, yes, but what do you mean?
Thanks everyone for all the interest!!! The car will be appearing in 'EVO' car magazine in October for those who are interested. I will also be posting interesting photos & snippets of the car on John Dodd's 'My Space' shortly & look forward to maybe receiving photos or comments that people may have!! My Dad really enjoys being remembered, thanks!
Soosie Dodd :)
It makes 600hp and weighs 4961 pounds (2.25 metric tons) that means it has a power to weight ratio better than a BMW M4 (426hp, 3540 pounds).
+Blue Merle actualy it has over 1000hp
+FutureAlloy65 this isnt supercharged, its N.A. and doesn't even reach 1000HP. the engine in the spitfire is supercharged and produces 1400HP, this isn't a spitfire engine.
did you watch the video, they tell its power.
+FutureAlloy65 the engine in the beast does 850hp.
oh, jea, true. and the spitfire engine mate sometimes even 2000hp
nope, the most built merlin's put around 1300hp..I think this engine is a Merlin Meteor version, special development for tanks, without supercharger, power 600HP...
@soosiedodd Robert Jameson, Paul's son, is a family friend .. I remember The Beast being stored in his barn for many years in the mid 90's. I guess it's made it's way back to John now.
Did he say it takes 25 gallons of oil? Thats twice the size of my fuel tank!
@somerandomaussie Iwould love to know if 3000hp is the true figure. Thats getting on for the state of tune used on Merlins flying in racing Mustangs at Reno, flying round the poles. Highest wartime rating was just over 2000hp on P51H and DeHavilland Hornets. And they were two of the fastest piston engine aircraft ever.
WHY? WHY? BECAUSE HE COULD. The best of us. The best.
Nice Job Guys, great story.
No need for turbos or an overbore, that is beautiful engine. love one for my boat
You're gonna need a bigger boat !
Subscribed👍 love big engine's and cars and this has it all. I like the exhausts but I would of had them either out of the side of the wings or straight up through the bonnet.👍💛
Thanks for all your comments ;)
Dad says thanks! ;) Yes Paul Dodd has an Oldsmobile Cutlass that runs on Nitrus and is very fast on the strip at SantaPod raceway too!
Brilliant
@SvenTviking Hi Sven, thanks for your comment. However this car belongs to my Father & it's Merlin engine was confirmed by serial number to be originally from a Boulton Balliol Training aircraft, not a Spitfire as originally thought, but it definately is a Merlin ;)
Thank you Suzanne & family. I found out recently that Merlins that became unfit for aircraft use were reworked to become Meteor. supplemented by new production by Rover for tank use, i.e. no supercharger & detuned for pool petrol. My Grandad "batted for the opposition" built transmissions for Churchill tanks.
Interesting, as a TV programme many years ago said it was a Meteor. Perhaps the transmission is meteor as the aircraft transmission is for a propellor which is at the top front of the engine and would be difficult to link to a car type propshaft.
What a car... :o I like the man that built it. :D
The original "Beast" was in Custom Car Magazine the artical as mind blowing in it's day including the fact the original had to slip it's then manual clutch upto I think it was 30mph or it'd just stand still and wheel spin.
He should make his own grill or even use a Continental Mark IV
grill, the 72 version was split for a bumper... Would look great 👍 As for the Flying Lady... 🤔
Oh, and the irony of using Wagner, Hitler's favourite composer to review a car with a Spitfire engine!
@soosiedodd .... I know this ta....it was in Pauls barn when I saw it...... shame Pauls no longer with us....bloody nice bloke
Legend of a man ans this car is just insane😂