@theslice2 That 6 wheeler is actually another car made by the same engineer, the late Paul Jameson so the cars are 'related'! There is also a 3rd Merlin which was actually put in a 1920's Rolls Royce Phantom, now owned by the famous American TV presenter Jay Leno. If you are interested you can look The Beast up on Facebook I have posted photos of all 3 cars there ;)
@soosiedodd Paul Jameson always maintaind that the 6 wheeler was the only one of his cars to have a merlin fitted, and that the 'beast' was built with with a fresh from crate meteor tank engine, was the original engine also destroyed in the fire? although the wet sump and dipstick also point to this engine being a meteor as tanks have no need for a dry sump system and it would just complicate things, however in an A/C they are a very good idea adn thus Merlins are dry sumped
Apologies, my mistake. I never knew that some Merlins were non-supercharged. Also, I'd assumed it was a Meteor as that engine was water-cooled so less complicated to build into a car.
@themollusc .......It IS a Merlin actually, that was confirmed by the BBC when they checked the engine number, however they established that it was originally used in a Balliol aircraft & not a Spitfire, see here: wikipedia.orgwikiBoultonPaulBalliol ;)
I know where that car is MUHAHAHAHA, give me say £50,000 or so and I will go buy it and bring it back to the homeland that which it came from and drive it on the road in britian once again to roar past the police doing 200mph+
I remember reading about that car some time ago, and how RR demanded the logo and grill be removed.I'm really glad it still exists and is kept up,it's a piece of late 60's wildness that's not seen any more. And 850 HP, that's not such a mad number any more as right now I can go to my ford dealer and get a mustang off the lot with almost half that!
Still, that's a piece of English history of sorts, care for it well!
Um, according to Arturian legend, it would not be Merlin would would come back to save Britain, it would be King Arthur himself.
Guy obviously never read Le Morte d'Arthur. Being British and not knowing the Arthurian Legend is like being an American and not knowing who George Washington was. I bet Dodd's idea of heavy reading includes the Sun.
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.
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.
@Bassndrumboy20 I just checked out photos of the wagon from Lampoon's vacation & there is a very 'slight' resemblance around the headlights, lol!! But I think the Beast is not quite that ugly! Thanks for your comment ;)
@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!
Thanks I'll check it out. I travel to spain often from the UK covering the champions league footie. You want to try and bring it over to The Ace Cafe in Wembley, I'm sure you know their history. I regularly go there for the hotrod night and American Customs cruise nights some awesome muscle cars turn up.
@v8guvnor p.s. I have also made a 'fan' page on Facebook called 'The Beast' - 27 litre Merlin aeroengined Car including all kinds of newspaper & magazine articles old & new, videos recent photos etc. Check it out if you like, I update it more regularly than on here ;)
Thanks, I am still wracking my brains to remember who said it was a Meteor engine. Have you seen the guy in Australia who stuck a Merlin in a Chevy Bel Air? This is more like a dragster but street legal. He quotes some silly horsepower figures tho.
@SvenTviking guys name is rod hadfield he build the car as a tribute to the ww2 airforce and to be the worlds most powerfull street legal car (twin supercharged 3000hp merlin) tho it took alot to get it registered and its restricted to what it can do on the road... not sure what he did to it i read somewhere jay leno was interested in it...
@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.
@SvenTviking it whats written in the guiness world records...it would be interesting to know cuz i dont know alot about merlin engines if they were twin supercharged from factory or what hp they had...tho with the capacity of that engine and the superchargers it wouldnt be hard to tweak another 1000hp outa it
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.
@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
@SvenTviking (cont'd) I ran out of message! If you would be interested in knowing more you may contact my Father directly via email: johndodd2001@hotmail.com he is always very happy to answer questions about his Beast & obviously will explain technical bits better than me! There are also phone numbers etc. in the information part of this video ;)
It eas not actually a Merlin. It was a Meteor which was the tank engine version of the Merlin, from Cromwell and Centurian tanks. And Meteors were built by Ford, so technically it wasn't a Rolls Royce engine.
@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 ;)
It's ridiculous that the Rolls Royce lawsuit wasn't thrown out immediately. This was a one off custom not meant for production. You can modify your own car in any way you like within the limit of the law and there is no law that I am aware of that says you can't use a Rolls Royce grille or hood ornament when building a custom car or modifying an existing one.
@gamewizard there is actually. Copyright infringement. Several kitcar owners who have built ferrari replicas have been hounded by Ferrari lawyers . I remember in the 70s there was a guy with an Austin Vanden Plas who swapped his grill for one off a roller. They wentto court and made him remove it.
How would you feel if you were Rolls Royce and someone put your company trademark on a piece of crap that anyone could mistake for something that you had designed and built?
@gamewizard - It was awful I can assure you after loosing our home, business etc., it was very unpleasant....... however that was the law & the law won ;)
@Axbent ....Funny you should say that.......as well as his 'one off' Beast, John Dodd actually holds a full commercial pilot's license and used to own a PA23 Piper Apache aircraft! ;)
@USAon3 the Mustang was a fine plane, but it was a Johnny-come-lately entering service until 1942 whilst the Spitfire was there from the beginning (which was 1939, not 1941). Without the Spitfire then Hitler would have overrun Europe. I think it fairly reasonable that 3 years after the Spitfire was developed that things might have moved on a bit.
Of course the P-51 didn't really become the aircraft it was until the it had the a Merlin installed, albeit a Packard made variant.
@USAon3 the Mustang was a fine plane, but it was a Johnny-come-lately entering service until 1942 whilst the Spitfire was there from the beginning (which was 1939, not 1941). Without the Spitfire then Hitler would have overrun Europe. I think it fairly reasonable that 3 years after the Spitfire was developed that things might have moved on a bit.
Of course the P-51 didn't really become the aircraft it was until the it had the a Merlin installed, albeit a Packard made variant.
@USAon3 the Mustang was a fine plane, but it was a Johnny-come-lately entering service until 1942 whilst the Spitfire was there from the beginning (which was 1939, not 1941). Without the Spitfire then Hitler would have overrun Europe. I think it fairly reasonable that 3 years after the Spitfire was developed that things might have moved on a bit.
Of course the P-51 didn't really become the aircraft it was until the it had the a Merlin installed, albeit a Packard made variant.
Yeah, sure. Especially considering the P-51 didn't really arrive in numbers until 1942. In 1943 Germany already was getting short on fuel and what they had they used to power their immense tank forces on the Eastern Front, which as far as Hitler and the nazis were concerned where were the war would be won or lost.
Considering Germany didn't have enough planes or pilots to make an effective resistance, I don't understand how the P51 ruled anything.
The most produced fighter aircraft of WW2 was the Messerschmitt Bf109. It also happens that all the top 20 aces in the war happened to be German. Erich Hartmann with his 352 victories makes America's top ace Richard Bong with his 40 look like he is a minor league. The top allied ace was the Russian Ivan Kozhedub, with 62 victories.
The engine in the Mustang was the Rolls Royce Merlin.
The Sherman tank won the war too, but that doesn't make it better than a Tiger or Panther.
I couldn't stand the twisted mouth contortions of this host. Plus, his dialect makes him sound like a hick. Clarkson is about a thousand times better.
@crispiegee1 The accent grates me as well, he's reviewed some great cars during his time on old Top Gear but I cant watch them, his accent is just TOO annoying
Hi, I think I've done a school boy error - I found my Top Trumps, but there's no sign of the Beast! Either I've lost a card or got confused... sorry for being a muppet!!
I'd heard rumours about this car for years, but always thought it to be urban legend. I stand corrected. The engineeering is amazing, but the bodywork is way too "American Pimpmobile" for me
This car is a legend, I love it! I've known about it since the '80s, it was featured in my pack of Top Trumps and always seemed to be surrounded in mystery. John Dodd's attitude is spot on too, thanks for the vid!
@Chamba1977 Wow thanks for your comment! You don't happen to still have the Top Trumps cards by any chance? Dad & I would love to see a scanned copy if you could send us one, let me know ok? ;) I have made a 'fan' page on Facebook with lots of snippets & bits & bobs, check it out: facebook pages The-Beast-27-litre-Merlin-aeroengined car
@soosiedodd Yes no probs... I'm pretty sure they're still in my old bedroom at my parent's house! Give me a couple of weeks and I'll see what I can do for you ;o) Great to see this car again.
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!
:P I bet it is terrifying, it would probably introduce all kinds of new issues too xD!! ;) Id love to see it on top gear... I bet it weights a bit tho !
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! ;)
Very funny ending! What a marvellous piece of machinery, just built for the hell of it and for the fun! That's what motoring should be all about. Good on you John Dodd! Great to see his son Paul carrying on in his father's footsteps too!
if id get that car, id put 4 turbos, HUGE TURBOS, bigger exhaust, new headers, new piston, maybe make it 30 liter xD that would scare shit out of you, wouldnt it?
saw this go down the runway at elvington in about 1970 it nearly caught fire there? filmed it on super 8 with my girlfriends camera, wonder if the film still exists?
The story with the german baron is not true. John Dodd admitted that he called rolls royce and faked a german accent and they believed him XD i read that in an article of classic cars issue March 2009
too right dodgy stuff bit more like a wheeler dealer than Top Gear - however im sure Clarkson gets paid way more than this dude so i guess you pay nuts you get Monkeys old formula still works
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!
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!!!!
This car is still around i have actually seen it today if you watch john dodds royls royce start up it is still in the same garage that fix automatic gearboxes. its amazing the garage is in marbella spain ill put up a vid soon .Amazing
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Thanks for sharing. Please see my epic 1st videos and donate to my cause if you feel bold and brave enough.
blesses
Arek
8wealthyone8 2 months ago
"First thing, Seat Belts?" , "Oh don't worry about seat belts." made me laugh
42867Goat 4 months ago
one word torque
hissy08 4 months ago
This is awesome because my name is John Dodd, and I'm a huge Top Gear fan!
jorudo89 4 months ago
What an idiotic presenter
AsteroSSB 5 months ago
Comment removed
AJW12251 6 months ago
Jeremy Clarkson would love to drive that thing.
PPPOOOWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!
NEEDbacon 6 months ago
when i saw it in the 80's it was open topped, blue and had 6 wheels.... 2 of maybe
theslice2 7 months ago
@theslice2 That 6 wheeler is actually another car made by the same engineer, the late Paul Jameson so the cars are 'related'! There is also a 3rd Merlin which was actually put in a 1920's Rolls Royce Phantom, now owned by the famous American TV presenter Jay Leno. If you are interested you can look The Beast up on Facebook I have posted photos of all 3 cars there ;)
soosiedodd 6 months ago
@soosiedodd .... I know this ta....it was in Pauls barn when I saw it...... shame Pauls no longer with us....bloody nice bloke
theslice2 6 months ago
@soosiedodd Paul Jameson always maintaind that the 6 wheeler was the only one of his cars to have a merlin fitted, and that the 'beast' was built with with a fresh from crate meteor tank engine, was the original engine also destroyed in the fire? although the wet sump and dipstick also point to this engine being a meteor as tanks have no need for a dry sump system and it would just complicate things, however in an A/C they are a very good idea adn thus Merlins are dry sumped
beeblebroxthe2nd 5 months ago
hi m8 do you no what it does 0-60 in and 1/4 mile thanks
tractorboyandy 7 months ago
@tractorboyandy 0-60 in 4 or 5 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 12 seconds - Thanks for the question ;)
soosiedodd 6 months ago
Awesome car, but from the front it looks a little like the Family Truckster
AirmanCylon401 9 months ago
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The Americans will love it.
benitofinito 9 months ago
@48packards8 Yes the show was changed in the the early 00's.
benitofinito 9 months ago
the german song "Ride of the Valkyries" on a video about a british car and british engine... thats weird, haha
hippieinmississippi 10 months ago
this guy is cooked
thomaspats3 10 months ago
5outa5!!
this ride is gansta,.
nofgood4live 10 months ago
in 1:07 You can see, that the host is missing some teeth in his lower jaw :D oh and btw I find Bf109G6 more beatiful, than any Spitfire ;)
TransAmDrifter 11 months ago
Apologies, my mistake. I never knew that some Merlins were non-supercharged. Also, I'd assumed it was a Meteor as that engine was water-cooled so less complicated to build into a car.
themollusc 11 months ago
@themollusc .....no problem!! Thanks for your interest ;)
soosiedodd 11 months ago
It's not a Merlin, it's a Meteor.
themollusc 11 months ago
@themollusc .......It IS a Merlin actually, that was confirmed by the BBC when they checked the engine number, however they established that it was originally used in a Balliol aircraft & not a Spitfire, see here: wikipedia.orgwikiBoultonPaulBalliol ;)
soosiedodd 11 months ago
@themollusc
the guy that built it has never said it was a merlin, in fact he always maintained it was a Meteor. so I guess its been changed!
beeblebroxthe2nd 9 months ago
I know where that car is MUHAHAHAHA, give me say £50,000 or so and I will go buy it and bring it back to the homeland that which it came from and drive it on the road in britian once again to roar past the police doing 200mph+
JBL9996666 11 months ago 9
Was this the inspiration for the monster station wagon in National Lampoon's Vacation ?
rustyATV 11 months ago 2
This car is like the one off Rovet SD1 estate and the couple of Jaguar xjs Eventers
Worth it's weight in gold
Would bag it in the morning if it came up for sale
A unique piece never to be repeated
cetieel 1 year ago
ugliest car ever built
MrMrPaparazzi 1 year ago
SHIT CAR
DieOPELCOLLECTION 1 year ago
I totally love whatever it is your smoking,keep on rocking...screw 'em' all if they can't take reality !!!!
sexysizesix 1 year ago
I remember reading about that car some time ago, and how RR demanded the logo and grill be removed.I'm really glad it still exists and is kept up,it's a piece of late 60's wildness that's not seen any more. And 850 HP, that's not such a mad number any more as right now I can go to my ford dealer and get a mustang off the lot with almost half that!
Still, that's a piece of English history of sorts, care for it well!
Oldbmwr100rs 1 year ago
So it really exists! I remember hearing about this motor when I was a teen. It's legendary. Thank you for posting this. :o)
andyingreece 1 year ago
I wasn't talking smakc about Mr. Dodd, but the presenter that didn't know the Arthurian legend, my apologies.
Love the Rolls.
SpeedingStudent 1 year ago
@SpeedingStudent .....glad you like the car ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
Um, according to Arturian legend, it would not be Merlin would would come back to save Britain, it would be King Arthur himself.
Guy obviously never read Le Morte d'Arthur. Being British and not knowing the Arthurian Legend is like being an American and not knowing who George Washington was. I bet Dodd's idea of heavy reading includes the Sun.
Awesome car, though.
SpeedingStudent 1 year ago
Wonder if it will fit in my garage?
rlmotionpictures 1 year ago
@rlmotionpictures ......Length: 5,59 metres...Width: 1,82 metres...Height: 1,37 metres.....you tell me!! ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
@soosiedodd ooooh it'd just half 30cm sticking out the door :P
thealed29 1 year ago
The guy is missing a tooth.
Mathijsweb 1 year ago
this is not car this is monster
MrStefanovvv 1 year ago
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.
wlb50 1 year ago
HAHAHAHHAHAHA put on google audio tranlater the airplane shits like a dog hahaha
12uniflew 1 year ago
Whilst I appreciate comments about my father & his car but I am not interested in opinions about the programme or how it is presented, ok? Thanks ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
I got a 22.5 ft long truck 7600lbs that things tiny.
NASCARINCANADA24 1 year ago
high ho silver
smokethepancakes 1 year ago
This looks like a heavy duty upgrade to delboys robin reliant from (Only Fool's and Horses)
This 27 Litre BEAST is WOW, i could be seen in this all day long.
STFUMofo3 1 year ago
If a guy ever jumped up onto the fender of my pride and joy like the presenter did at the end, I'd hit him...
Great video though!!!
Vortech398 1 year ago
@Vortech398 lol!! the Beast is a tough as old boots so it was no problem!!
soosiedodd 1 year ago
@Vortech398 agreed.
The guy's a (noisy) git.
Otherwise a great video.
Dav123xyz 1 year ago
What year was this episode?
rxza 1 year ago
@rxza ....It was 1998 ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
I prefered it original Capri like body, but i stil luv it "A Reliant Scimitar on steroids"
JohnnyBoi93xD 1 year ago
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.
SvenTviking 1 year ago
It looks like the wagon from national lampoon's vacation
Bassndrumboy20 1 year ago
@Bassndrumboy20 I just checked out photos of the wagon from Lampoon's vacation & there is a very 'slight' resemblance around the headlights, lol!! But I think the Beast is not quite that ugly! Thanks for your comment ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
great piece of work, love the beast.
v8guvnor 1 year ago 3
@v8guvnor Thank you so much! ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
@soosiedodd
Your dad did a great job on that beast. It is just awesome and the sound too. Is it displayed anywhere these days, like Brooklands etc...?
v8guvnor 1 year ago
@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!
soosiedodd 1 year ago
@soosiedodd
Thanks I'll check it out. I travel to spain often from the UK covering the champions league footie. You want to try and bring it over to The Ace Cafe in Wembley, I'm sure you know their history. I regularly go there for the hotrod night and American Customs cruise nights some awesome muscle cars turn up.
v8guvnor 1 year ago
@v8guvnor That would be fun! Will keep it in mind ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
@v8guvnor p.s. I have also made a 'fan' page on Facebook called 'The Beast' - 27 litre Merlin aeroengined Car including all kinds of newspaper & magazine articles old & new, videos recent photos etc. Check it out if you like, I update it more regularly than on here ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
Wow the original Griswald Family Truckster!
PonyPower71 1 year ago
Thanks, I am still wracking my brains to remember who said it was a Meteor engine. Have you seen the guy in Australia who stuck a Merlin in a Chevy Bel Air? This is more like a dragster but street legal. He quotes some silly horsepower figures tho.
SvenTviking 1 year ago
@SvenTviking guys name is rod hadfield he build the car as a tribute to the ww2 airforce and to be the worlds most powerfull street legal car (twin supercharged 3000hp merlin) tho it took alot to get it registered and its restricted to what it can do on the road... not sure what he did to it i read somewhere jay leno was interested in it...
somerandomaussie 1 year ago
@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.
SvenTviking 1 year ago
@SvenTviking it whats written in the guiness world records...it would be interesting to know cuz i dont know alot about merlin engines if they were twin supercharged from factory or what hp they had...tho with the capacity of that engine and the superchargers it wouldnt be hard to tweak another 1000hp outa it
somerandomaussie 1 year ago
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.
SvenTviking 1 year ago
@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
soosiedodd 1 year ago
@SvenTviking (cont'd) I ran out of message! If you would be interested in knowing more you may contact my Father directly via email: johndodd2001@hotmail.com he is always very happy to answer questions about his Beast & obviously will explain technical bits better than me! There are also phone numbers etc. in the information part of this video ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
It eas not actually a Merlin. It was a Meteor which was the tank engine version of the Merlin, from Cromwell and Centurian tanks. And Meteors were built by Ford, so technically it wasn't a Rolls Royce engine.
SvenTviking 1 year ago
@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 ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
This guy is an idiot... I'm glad the old Top Gear died
Tarmst1 1 year ago
It's ridiculous that the Rolls Royce lawsuit wasn't thrown out immediately. This was a one off custom not meant for production. You can modify your own car in any way you like within the limit of the law and there is no law that I am aware of that says you can't use a Rolls Royce grille or hood ornament when building a custom car or modifying an existing one.
gamewizard 1 year ago
@gamewizard there is actually. Copyright infringement. Several kitcar owners who have built ferrari replicas have been hounded by Ferrari lawyers . I remember in the 70s there was a guy with an Austin Vanden Plas who swapped his grill for one off a roller. They wentto court and made him remove it.
How would you feel if you were Rolls Royce and someone put your company trademark on a piece of crap that anyone could mistake for something that you had designed and built?
koitorob 1 year ago
@gamewizard - It was awful I can assure you after loosing our home, business etc., it was very unpleasant....... however that was the law & the law won ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
where's the stig when you need him?
johns78c 1 year ago
spoke to john today on the phone .. now i can see this is a very unsual car he has ....
poolsproperty 1 year ago
He could have bought a pilots licence and a cool fast sports plane for what that cost! But still its way cool to make a one off!
Axbent 1 year ago
@Axbent ....Funny you should say that.......as well as his 'one off' Beast, John Dodd actually holds a full commercial pilot's license and used to own a PA23 Piper Apache aircraft! ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
0:16 sounds like he farted
bcgal0004 1 year ago
how does that car sound exactly like an rc car ?
naughtywarth 1 year ago
i remember hearing that song starting from 7:25 cant remember what its called :(
songer885 1 year ago
@songer885 Jessica - The allmon brothers
staffordacdc 1 year ago
This video misstates a fact.
The plane that "ruled the skies" in WW II was pronounced "Mustang". As in P-51.
Hell, even the Navy's P-40 outflew the Spitfire.
USAon3 1 year ago
Comment removed
jonessg3 1 year ago
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@USAon3 the Mustang was a fine plane, but it was a Johnny-come-lately entering service until 1942 whilst the Spitfire was there from the beginning (which was 1939, not 1941). Without the Spitfire then Hitler would have overrun Europe. I think it fairly reasonable that 3 years after the Spitfire was developed that things might have moved on a bit.
Of course the P-51 didn't really become the aircraft it was until the it had the a Merlin installed, albeit a Packard made variant.
jonessg3 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@USAon3 the Mustang was a fine plane, but it was a Johnny-come-lately entering service until 1942 whilst the Spitfire was there from the beginning (which was 1939, not 1941). Without the Spitfire then Hitler would have overrun Europe. I think it fairly reasonable that 3 years after the Spitfire was developed that things might have moved on a bit.
Of course the P-51 didn't really become the aircraft it was until the it had the a Merlin installed, albeit a Packard made variant.
jonessg3 1 year ago
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@USAon3 the Mustang was a fine plane, but it was a Johnny-come-lately entering service until 1942 whilst the Spitfire was there from the beginning (which was 1939, not 1941). Without the Spitfire then Hitler would have overrun Europe. I think it fairly reasonable that 3 years after the Spitfire was developed that things might have moved on a bit.
Of course the P-51 didn't really become the aircraft it was until the it had the a Merlin installed, albeit a Packard made variant.
jonessg3 1 year ago
@USAon3
Yeah, sure. Especially considering the P-51 didn't really arrive in numbers until 1942. In 1943 Germany already was getting short on fuel and what they had they used to power their immense tank forces on the Eastern Front, which as far as Hitler and the nazis were concerned where were the war would be won or lost.
Considering Germany didn't have enough planes or pilots to make an effective resistance, I don't understand how the P51 ruled anything.
McLarenMercedes 1 year ago
@USAon3
The most produced fighter aircraft of WW2 was the Messerschmitt Bf109. It also happens that all the top 20 aces in the war happened to be German. Erich Hartmann with his 352 victories makes America's top ace Richard Bong with his 40 look like he is a minor league. The top allied ace was the Russian Ivan Kozhedub, with 62 victories.
The engine in the Mustang was the Rolls Royce Merlin.
The Sherman tank won the war too, but that doesn't make it better than a Tiger or Panther.
McLarenMercedes 1 year ago
I couldn't stand the twisted mouth contortions of this host. Plus, his dialect makes him sound like a hick. Clarkson is about a thousand times better.
crispiegee1 1 year ago 2
@crispiegee1 The accent grates me as well, he's reviewed some great cars during his time on old Top Gear but I cant watch them, his accent is just TOO annoying
Suprahampton 1 year ago
@Suprahampton He's not that annoying, though his accent is a bit weird.
kadvid 1 year ago
Hi, I think I've done a school boy error - I found my Top Trumps, but there's no sign of the Beast! Either I've lost a card or got confused... sorry for being a muppet!!
Chamba1977 1 year ago
@Chamba1977 Sorry to hear that!! Thanks so much for checking anyway....... ;) If you find anything else let me know ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
I'd heard rumours about this car for years, but always thought it to be urban legend. I stand corrected. The engineeering is amazing, but the bodywork is way too "American Pimpmobile" for me
Mechknight73 1 year ago
This car is a legend, I love it! I've known about it since the '80s, it was featured in my pack of Top Trumps and always seemed to be surrounded in mystery. John Dodd's attitude is spot on too, thanks for the vid!
Chamba1977 1 year ago
@Chamba1977 Wow thanks for your comment! You don't happen to still have the Top Trumps cards by any chance? Dad & I would love to see a scanned copy if you could send us one, let me know ok? ;) I have made a 'fan' page on Facebook with lots of snippets & bits & bobs, check it out: facebook pages The-Beast-27-litre-Merlin-aeroengined car
soosiedodd 1 year ago
@soosiedodd Yes no probs... I'm pretty sure they're still in my old bedroom at my parent's house! Give me a couple of weeks and I'll see what I can do for you ;o) Great to see this car again.
Chamba1977 1 year ago
@Chamba1977 Awesome! Thanks so much! ;))))))!!!
soosiedodd 1 year ago
That guy is a nutcase. And so is John Dodd!
getoffmyinternet 1 year ago
@getoffmyinternet
Thank you for your very important, and well reasoned, observations.
I am pleased that you have graced us with your wit and wisdom.
You are a far greater person than the rest of us. I can't wait until you rule the world.
Worldview69 1 year ago
@Worldview69 Judging by your username I take it that you're a very serious person, so thank you for the endorsement.
getoffmyinternet 8 months ago
Looks like Chevy Chases family truckster
evoval 1 year ago
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.
barath4545 1 year ago
@barath4545
Thanks ;)
soosiedodd 1 year ago
@barath4545 550 hp on a couple of psi!
Jimmetalrules5546 1 year ago
It would look really good,
(I'd think much better),
without any body at all,or maybe something small in the back only.
We can do that in Alabama and drive it on the road with minimum requirements.
Fenders optional,more or less.
{^,^}
jetpoweredgriffin 2 years ago
Why is he destroying the hood at 7:06?
Towel1e 2 years ago
because its a big tuff muscle car not a delicate classic
redtail5 2 years ago
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Towel1e 2 years ago
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Mercedes DB601 engine from the Messerschmidts was by far the better engine...but the Merlin's great too...
WDB123220 2 years ago
Didn't the Messer have fuel injection?
modelleg 2 years ago
that engine belongs in a spitfire or a hurrican or a lan NOT A CAR!
laservader1 2 years ago 3
Comment removed
StrawbSwitchblade 1 year ago
@StrawbSwitchblade "John Dodd's rolls royce merlin spitfire aeroengined beast on BBC's Top Gear Programme"
laservader1 1 year ago
Comment removed
StrawbSwitchblade 1 year ago
right where does John Dodd live in the south of spain because I am considering buying the beast lol
JBL9996666 2 years ago 2
I wonder if I could shoehorn that baby into my Eldo....never mind.
biglongcadillac 2 years ago
Awesome, yet ugly.
transdrole 2 years ago 2
I like the ole boys attitude towards authority,,,my kind of guy,
Great story and video
vetttech1999 2 years ago 11
meteor engine? ie tank engine merlin without the charger??? its epic either way :)
eatthisvr6 2 years ago
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!
bhm1712 2 years ago
why dont they supercharge it! like the spitfire !
chrisbaker121924 2 years ago
It is scary enough as it is, believe me! ;)
soosiedodd 2 years ago
Would be great to go on Top Gear again! ;)
soosiedodd 2 years ago
:P I bet it is terrifying, it would probably introduce all kinds of new issues too xD!! ;) Id love to see it on top gear... I bet it weights a bit tho !
chrisbaker121924 2 years ago
well if they revisted the Communist cars, they could do this again. Perfect for James May the budding pilot
dctim 2 years ago
27 liters and it ONLY puts out 850BHP...
572CI big block V8 could eat it... thats less then 10 liters
CrazyDave650 2 years ago
yea only 850 bhp but over 1500 ft lb of torque at 2500 rpm!!
shibbaddywa 2 years ago
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! ;)
soosiedodd 2 years ago
it was enginered in the 40's
blobby1972 2 years ago
true, boy have we come along way
CrazyDave650 2 years ago
It IS called "The Beast" for a reason....
Skidracer21 2 years ago
But it's one hell of a piece of engineering, yeah?
Skidracer21 2 years ago
Thanks for all your comments ;)
soosiedodd 2 years ago
Very funny ending! What a marvellous piece of machinery, just built for the hell of it and for the fun! That's what motoring should be all about. Good on you John Dodd! Great to see his son Paul carrying on in his father's footsteps too!
xerojet 2 years ago
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!
soosiedodd 2 years ago
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this top gear sucks..course the new one aint that great anyway
tankimus 2 years ago
It would be great to see this on Top Gear again. Just so long as they don't let Hamster near it...
rich3500 2 years ago 3
mother of christ that thing is hideous...
wmichswingers 2 years ago
but damn if it doesn't have hustle!
Skidracer21 2 years ago
Nice Job Guys, great story.
No need for turbos or an overbore, that is beautiful engine. love one for my boat
454Centurion 2 years ago
if id get that car, id put 4 turbos, HUGE TURBOS, bigger exhaust, new headers, new piston, maybe make it 30 liter xD that would scare shit out of you, wouldnt it?
kregzdeM3 2 years ago
w00t duxford
griggzy25 2 years ago
hes yorkshire or lancashire.......
TimZZR2 2 years ago
Hes from Lancashire
SpandexUnderpants 2 years ago
I'd like to drive that car!
briggles 2 years ago 2
British Bloke!
nipperoid 2 years ago
looked kinda slow
mrfish1991 2 years ago
There was an article on this in (I think) car and driver back in the '70's entitled "60 seconds above Buckingham Palace" remakable.
cptkluge 2 years ago
i remember that car being on the news bsck in the seventies...wonder if it still around??
farmereddy11 2 years ago
Crazy British Bloke sent me.. Thx Bloke, it's a neat story!
OldTruckinFool 2 years ago
How many people are looking at this because of crazybrittishbloke? lol
Jaytheredneck1 2 years ago
lol me.
WTCHME 2 years ago
*facepalms*
badass326 2 years ago
I am :P This doesn't look like it, moving on...
just2stoned 2 years ago
I so want that car, I would if I had it add the Supercharger
JBL9996666 2 years ago
saw this go down the runway at elvington in about 1970 it nearly caught fire there? filmed it on super 8 with my girlfriends camera, wonder if the film still exists?
baldiebiker 2 years ago
The story with the german baron is not true. John Dodd admitted that he called rolls royce and faked a german accent and they believed him XD i read that in an article of classic cars issue March 2009
boringboredom1 2 years ago
the host sounds scottish more than british, plus he is annoying as hell and not funny. I much prefer jeremy clarkson
sailorchaos1274 2 years ago
too right dodgy stuff bit more like a wheeler dealer than Top Gear - however im sure Clarkson gets paid way more than this dude so i guess you pay nuts you get Monkeys old formula still works
poodumrover1 2 years ago
I think he's from Yorkshire, bloody annoying accent
Suprahampton 2 years ago
Scotland is part of Britain you retard. and the presenter is from somewhere in northern england. his accent is not even close to sounding Scottish...
gilhooley28 2 years ago
Most old maps have the word Great Britain printed across the entire land including Scotland you retard
weenyone 2 years ago
Has Jeremy Clarkson ever tried driving this? I would think he'd be one to be impressed by all the power...
Skidracer21 2 years ago
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!
felneymike 2 years ago
that is one ugly beast
007mizbiz 2 years ago
Well yes, but beauty IS in the eye of the beholder! :)
produKtNZ 2 years ago 2
XD how long is that car, it looks HUGE!!
LessThanCool 2 years ago
6:17- 6:19 thats me lol magic
masterdanthegod 2 years ago
You?!
soosiedodd 2 years ago
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!!!!
soosiedodd 2 years ago
yikes what a beast, should have done a burn out
Jcashrulez 2 years ago
WTF??!!!!!!!
LPAGAN401 2 years ago
my dad told me about this car a couple of years ago
carmenlee87 2 years ago
This car is still around i have actually seen it today if you watch john dodds royls royce start up it is still in the same garage that fix automatic gearboxes. its amazing the garage is in marbella spain ill put up a vid soon .Amazing
Vvti4life 2 years ago