27 Liter Merlin V12! John Dodd’s ‘The Beast’

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British absurdity reaches far beyond Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and blesses the world to no end. Witness the wickedly wonderful creation known as John Dodd’s The Beast. Conceived in the late 1960s, it ranges far beyond a customized version of, well, anything. The Beast uniquely combines a Jenson Jensen FF windshield, a Reliant Scimitar backlight, Ford Capri headlights and taillights, and parts of other cars. Far from cosmetic, all those shenanigans serve the original vision:  stuffing a 27 liter V12 Merlin aircraft engine of World War II vintage into a motor car. Brilliant! Now the rolling, running tribute to glorious, mechanized madness can be yours as the Daventry, Northamptonshire, England classic comes to auction at CarAndClassic. Thanks to reader Pat L. for spotting this far-out ride.

Rolls Royce’s elegant and powerful contribution to the war effort, the Merlin V12 powered many aircraft of the era, including the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane, according to Key.Aero. While supercharged Merlin V12s produced close to 2000 HP before retiring in 1956, this naturally-aspirated road-tuned version makes 750 HP according to the listing. Instead of spinning a propeller at engine speed, this V12 spins a modified General Motors Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission produced in “the colonies.”

While The Beast makes a remarkable visual statement, it earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1977 as “the world’s most powerful car,” according to the auction description. Ford fans (Mercury fans in the USA) may recognize twin Capri tail light modules astern.

A fiberglass dashboard and broad center console offer instrumentation and controls. While the transmission hails from GM, the shifter looks more like the unit Ford used for years. Laid-back bucket seats accentuate the car’s readiness to blast through time and space, and The Beast registered a cheek-rippling 183 MPH in 1973, far faster than the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow. Rent a runway and leave your sweetie a letter before attempting it!

Ludicrous proportions make for one-of-a-kind profile, as crazy as a study hall drawing, the deliciously insane fruit of a creative and twisted mind. One view is not enough; automotive enthusiasts must return to be taunted a second time. All this excess might draw high-rollers like Jay Leno into the bidding, though when it comes to Merlin V12-powered cars, Jay’s already got one. Do you prefer this eight-headlight shooting brake or National Lampoon’s Wagon Queen Family Truckster? I’ll take The Beast!

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Fahrvergnugen FahrvergnugenMember

    Ah but is it as fast as an AFRICAN swallow? Certainly has HUUUUGE TEETH, for much gnashing. But at least you can tell it isn’t a peasant’s car; it’s not all covered in…

    Like 10
    • brueMember

      could not be an African Swallow, they are non-migrationary lol nice to see python fans are around us

      Like 4
  2. Howard A Howard A ( since 2014)Member

    What a great way to start a post, “British absurdity” ( yeah, like we should talk). I’ve seen this before, but never an in depth look at it, it’s a fantastic piece, for sure. Okay, a bit overboard, as if the motor wasn’t enough, but looks really well designed, and if it DID go 183 mph, and with that motor( more on that in a sec) I don’t doubt it one bit, and come flying apart, says something.
    While “British absurdity” may be evident in things like Monty Python( another favorite) or this car, there was nothing absurd about the Merlin V12. I won’t go into what a game changer it was, but without it, I might be typing German right now. It was a close call, the Germans were THAT close to perfecting the jet fighter. The Merlin kicked their butt just in time. I read about the Packard Merlin and the meticulous build quality, and that supercharging was the icing on the cake. I always wanted a semi truck with that motor. It’s a really cool find, for what to do with, I just don’t know. The sound these motors make is truly outstanding. It would be fun to have this motor in front of you and not some German Messerschmitt on your axx.

    Like 17
    • Howard A Howard A ( since 2014)Member

      Btw, I’m aware that there WAS a guy that put TWO Merlin V12s in a “more must be better” customized semi tractor, but a V12 DEtroit is all I ever saw on the road. Thanks Todd!

      Like 5
    • John L.

      Totally agree with you, Howard, on the Merlin engine. One article I read on the Packard built Merlin, mentioned the internal tolerances, were better than the Rolls Royce Merlin. Having seen, and heard both the Packard, and Rolls engines, the Packard built Merlin is much smoother, and quieter than the Rolls Merlin. One of the other posters on here suggested buying the vehicle, and using the engine in a vintage aircraft. This engine is missing a considerable amount of aircraft related parts, and probably couldn’t be certified for flight, even if one could source all the missing parts.

      Like 0
  3. alphasudMember

    Here is a great video and review of the Beast. The Late Brake Show is a wonderful YouTube channel created by one of the best automotive journalists.

    https://youtu.be/QFdhCZ517gU

    Like 21
  4. CadmanlsMember

    What’s not to like, it’s truly one of a kind! Powerful, spacious and powerful and powerful and….

    Like 7
  5. CCFisher

    Wow. That’s… uhhh…. that’s…. that’s just ugly.

    Like 19
  6. Big Al

    I read it gets a whopping 2 mpg !! 😂😂

    Like 3
  7. RickyMember

    “as crazy as a study hall drawing”. HAHAHAHA! That’s a great line.

    Like 6
  8. gary

    Looks like something i would drive

    Like 5
    • Chris Cornetto

      To think we make fun of Pacers, and the Family Truckster. Is it any worse than a Zimmer or that Seville mess of the late 70s with the side mount spares??¿??

      Like 0
  9. kg

    “Jensen”

    Like 2
    • Todd FitchAuthor

      Thanks, kg. Ironically, I’m certain my brain allowed this misspelling because of my Daughter’s boyfriend Jenson, whose name I spelled “Jensen” the first 75 times because of the car brand. I’m doomed now. I’ve fixed it above and left my mistake in strikethrough. Thanks again for setting me straight!

      Like 5
  10. Mike B

    Why do I keep getting McAfee pop ups on this site? (only this site)

    Like 1
  11. JohnfromSC

    My bet is that it sells at the price of a Merlin engine alone to a vintage aircraft collector.

    Like 3
    • schooner

      …or a ’60s Unlimited Hydro owner.

      Like 1
  12. DA

    No thanks, at any price. Stinky, thirsty, and butt-ugly – albeit powerful. Pet peeve: Can we please stop calling engines “motors”?

    Like 2
    • 370zpp 370zpp

      Stop calling engines “motors”? Why? Is the term being used incorrectly? Just asking.

      Like 4
      • Rumpledoorskin

        The way I understand it, a “motor” converts electricity into rotational movement and an “engine” converts a fuel into rotational movement. However, since the early days of automobiles, the motor mounts have held the engine in place.

        Like 10
      • alphasudMember

        It has taken me the better part of a year to purge the term motor for engine. Every time I slip it’s like fingers on the chalkboard. I have always tried but get lazy and sloppy in conversation.

        Like 1
      • SubGothius

        Both terms are correct and accurate, for different reasons; quoth the Wikis:

        In modern usage, the term engine typically describes devices, like steam engines and internal combustion engines, that burn or otherwise consume fuel to perform mechanical work by exerting a torque or linear force (usually in the form of thrust). Devices converting heat energy into motion are commonly referred to simply as engines.[4] Examples of engines which exert a torque include the familiar automobile gasoline and diesel engines, as well as turboshafts. Examples of engines which produce thrust include turbofans and rockets.

        When the internal combustion engine was invented, the term motor was initially used to distinguish it from the steam engine—which was in wide use at the time, powering locomotives and other vehicles such as steam rollers. The term motor derives from the Latin verb moto which means ‘to set in motion’, or ‘maintain motion’. Thus a motor is a device that imparts motion.

        This means ICE vehicles have engines that are also motors, but electric cars have motors that are not engines, of which series-hybrid electrics also have engines that are not motors.

        Like 0
      • Haig L Haleblian

        Totally agree and I do find it annoying. It’s an engine boys and girls for the reasons sited. This thing is so bad it’s good.

        Like 2
      • Jay E.Member

        Because we have outboard motors, not outboard engines (and lots of other examples). There is no rule, just common usage.

        Like 10
      • RussellS

        mo·tor
        /ˈmōdər/

        noun
        a machine, especially one powered by electricity or internal combustion, that supplies motive power for a vehicle or for some other device with moving parts.

        Like 2
      • Todd FitchAuthor

        This debate surfaces occasionally, but there is no valid basis for it. The word “motor” predates practical applications of electricity. Countless references and phrases in society reference non-electric “motors.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motor#:~:text=The%20first%20known%20use%20of%20motor%20was%20in,words%20from%20the%20same%20year%20Phrases%20Containing%20motor

        Like 1
      • John

        As my dad told me years ago “A Motor Has A Rotor” and I don’t think that would include a crankshaft.

        Like 1
      • SubGothius

        Both terms are accurate and correct, for different reasons. An “engine” burns or otherwise consumes fuel to perform mechanical work by exerting a torque or linear force. A “motor” is a device that imparts motion.

        As such, ICE vehicles have engines that are also motors, whereas electric cars have motors that are not engines, of which series-hybrids also have engines that are not motors.

        Like 4
      • Mark Edmiston

        The difference is simple…
        An electric motor transfers energy made somewhere else, but does not generate it… hence it is an external combustion engine when the generating source is included… the electric engine cannot stand alone it must have a source outside of itself, hence the motor in the power system.
        An internal combustion ENGINE generates its own power from within…
        An engine is a complex of energy transfers to create work… an electrical engine includes the power generating station.
        A locomotive engine is such a device.

        Like 0
      • Bill McCoskey Bill McCoskeyMember

        Motor vs Engine . . .

        Considering where this car was created [the UK]:

        In Britain, what Americans call an ICE engine, Brits have routinely referred to an ICE as a motor. One of the oldest automobile magazines in England was “The Motor”. And until well after WW2 cars in the UK [especially luxury models] were called Motorcars.

        In general, both words can be used to represent different types of power plant, especially when using the appropriate additional words like ICE or Electric, or even steam, compressed air, or nuclear powered

        Like 3
    • Tony M

      An automotive engine IS a motor when used as one.

      Both terms predate the automobile, and Henry ford and other early fathers of the industry used the terms as they had been historically. That’s why the “Ford Motor Company” wasn’t named the “Ford Engine Company” and we have “General Motors” not “General Engines”

      Like 1
  13. Rumpledoorskin

    I was going to buy a used Buick, but then this is dangled in front of me…

    Like 4
  14. Craig Walker

    The beast is a living legend here in the UK with many amusing stories through out its life.
    As for the late brake show I’d best not comment as this is a family show.

    Like 0
  15. ray Sebesian

    Hidious , absolutely Hidious.

    Like 3
    • Mark Edmiston

      …and wonderfully so…

      Like 0
  16. TheOldRanger

    This is one of those cars that is so ugly it is hard not to just stare at in amazement. It is also one of those cars that you are happy for whomever owns it, as long as it isn’t you.

    Like 1
    • ray Sebesian

      You’re absolutely correct. Bahahahahha

      Like 0
  17. Rob

    Nah, the steering wheel is on the wrong side. 🤣

    Like 1
  18. charlieMember

    “Motor Mouth”, not “Engine Mouth” – does not prove anything.

    Like 0
  19. Steve

    £61,000 ($73,407.40)
    RESERVE MET with 5 days left.

    Like 0
  20. Burger

    My cat has some sort of motor that runs when she is scratched or wants attention. Careful inspection reveals no electrical connections, but she does run on solid fuel and exhausts them in not quite so solid form.

    Like 6
  21. robert stockamp

    There’s a guy in my neighborhood with the hillbilly version of this.It’s a Chevy Station Wagon that he customized to drive from the back seat.

    Like 1
  22. Eric B

    “You think you hate it now, but wait til you drive it.”

    Like 3
  23. Kim in Lanark

    Is it a for real Merlin? Rover developed a tank engine based on the Merlin, called the Meteor. It seems to this layman that would be a better starting place.

    Like 0
    • Slimm

      @Kim in Lark The guy on The Late Brake Show said that the builder had a Meteor engine in it when he first built it, and then put a Merlin engine into it at some point.

      Like 1
  24. John

    Would love to have.. Car shows here i come.. lol

    Like 0
  25. chrlsful

    surprised none of the body is ‘stolen’ fro other rigs. I feel (not think) I recognize parts rom elsewhere. Nope. Understand a ‘hand made chassy, but (now) thought there’d be some capri, pinto waggy, etc) parts. Gauges, exterior lghts, sure, but kudos for all the hand wrk on the body…

    Like 0
  26. GerryMember

    The late brake show just did a review and drive of this on you tube
    It was a really great video and history.

    Like 0
  27. Norman Stevenson

    Back in the early seventies I saw the earlier version of this car when John Dodds drove it in convertible form and it was deep red in colour. I was working outside and I could hear the thing coming up the hill and the noise was ear shattering !!! How anyone could drive it without ear defenders would be impossible! The man must have made a fortune as an auto transmission specialist near me at Epsom, Surrey. The petty, malicious court case that was ongoing with pathetic, small minded Rolls Royce for sticking their ugly grille on the front of the car cost John Dodds more than making the car! But the the registration documents describe the car as a Rolls Royce, so Dodds had the last laugh!!!

    Like 0
  28. Melton Mooney

    An engine burns fossil fuels while a motor uses electricity produced by burning fossil fuels. Big difference.

    Like 1
    • Tony M

      Remind me what a steam engine does? Or a siege engine? Or a rocket motor?

      Why do folks insist on making a distinction, when they don’t even know the difference?

      Like 1
      • Rumpledoorskin

        What about search engines?

        Like 2
  29. 53MGTD

    The Merlin engine by Packard was used in the P-51Mustang fighter.

    A Wankel rotary is a motor or an engine?

    Like 0

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