Every so often, a machine crosses the auction block that doesn’t just stand out—it rewrites the boundaries of what a road-going automobile can be. The 1972 John Dodd “Beast”, offered through Historic Auctioneers, is one of those creations. For most enthusiasts, it’s a car they’ve only read about, whispered in myth-like tones. Now, with an estimate of £75,000–£100,000, this legendary one-off is ready for a new owner bold enough to take the wheel.
The Beast began as a collaboration rooted in unconventional thinking. Engineer Paul Jameson originally designed a custom chassis capable of holding a Rolls-Royce Meteor engine—already a massive undertaking. When transmission expert John Dodd joined the project and eventually rebuilt the car after a fire, the idea expanded into something almost unthinkable: installing a 27-litre Rolls-Royce Merlin V12, the same type of engine that powered Spitfires and Lancasters during World War II.
Completed in 1972, Dodd’s finished car used a custom-built heavy-duty automatic transmission of his own design to handle the immense torque generated by the Merlin engine. The shooting-brake style body was crafted by Fiber Glass Repairs in Bromley, and the finished machine stretched an incredible 19 feet in length. True to Dodd’s vision, the interior received elegant treatment with leather and walnut details—because even a fire-breathing Merlin deserved a refined cockpit.
Official performance figures were never documented in controlled testing, but contemporary accounts, including Dodd’s own stories, suggested numbers ranging from 750 to 850 horsepower. Reports of the Beast reaching over 180 mph on the Autobahn only added to its mystique. In the early 1970s, that placed it in a realm few production cars could even approach.
After Dodd moved to Spain, the Beast went with him, becoming something of a local legend around Malaga thanks to its unmistakable exhaust note. Despite its enormous size and staggering power, it was built with real engineering consideration: independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and a surprisingly manageable driving experience for those willing to respect it.
Under current ownership, the car has received a two-tone metallic grey wrap, chosen specifically to preserve the paint beneath for anyone who might prefer its previous yellow finish. The interior has also had a thorough retrim, giving the cabin a cleaner, more comfortable presentation while maintaining the spirit of Dodd’s original design.
More than 50 years after it first appeared, the Beast remains utterly singular—a monument to creativity, eccentric ingenuity, and the audacity of homegrown engineering. It has been featured widely in media and still holds a firm place in British automotive folklore.
What would you do if you had the chance to tame a Merlin-powered road car—would you preserve it as-is or push its engineering even further?
Can’t believe they overlooked a rear-facing 3rd-row seat. Any kids lucky enough to ride in it would have a tale to tell.
I would leave this one just the way it is.
This is a one of a kind and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Is it turn key now? Looks a little clownish to me.
Lets face it. There is absolutely no shadow of a doubt………………
You’d be the ONLY one to show up with one of these at a cars and coffee!!!
This is something else. I’d really love to hear it run. The pictures they took, it almost looks like a model.
Check out YouTube, there have been plenty of videos posted of this car over the years.
@ DriveinStile I thought the same thing. Some outside pics with trees and bushes for scale would have been nice.
Those front fenders look longer than a Pinto or Vega.
And it’s only a two seater
https://www.historics.co.uk/auction/lot/82-1972-john-dodd-beast/?lot=18461
“Previous yellow finish”? Without actually seeing that, I believe I prefer the two-tone metallic grey wrap.
I have seen it when it was yellow and the current wrap is far better in my eyes.
Hi Solo! Nice to see you. 😘
The long front makes the car look bigger than it is, because 19 feet is no longer than the larger station wagons of the time. Also, what transmission did they pair up with the aircraft engine? The torque of that monster should have you up to triple digits in no time, but would require a sturdy gearbox!
Transmission was designed and constructed by the original builder according to the text. His name was John Dodd.
Must be a manual..four speed? Five speed? That car could make due with direct coupled fluid drive with all that torque.
DRIVE TH HECK OUT OF IT!!!!!hoooooyaaaaa!
Long ago, in a land far, far from here, there was a man with with more money than you can imagine. The trouble started because he had too much time on his hands…
Built by and for someone who craves attention. A lot of attention!
What’s the MPG on this?
Easy. Gallons per mile!
The RR Meteor engine was based on the Merlin block. Being set up for tanks, it would be more suitable for this…vehicle. At around 800 hp they must have really detuned the Merlin.
I understand that Rolls Royce wasn’t particularly happy with there being a Rolls Royce grille on this creation and sued him for
“trademark infringement. He LOST the lawsuit and moved to Spain (with the car) to avoid paying the fines. The car is now back in the UK with a new grille that bear his initials instead of RR.
This would have looked much cooler with a “BOAT TAIL” instead of the shooting brake
I’m thinking amphibious… 🚤
Surely a Rolls Royce Merlin V12 engine is worth more than the actual asking price of this car to a person that is building, or restoring, an original Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, de Havilland Mosquito, North American P-51 Mustang, Avro Lancaster or a Halifax? Even a copy needs this engine.
The Merlin once was common enough that unlimited hydroplane racers used them in their boats, in the 60s and 70s, to great success. As they became harder to obtain, jet engines replaced them.
As I recall, the aeroplane engine uses a centripetal supercharger – some single stage and others two-stage (same type of supercharger used on Cord & Auburn). The final Spitfire version had two counter-rotating propellors and somewhere around 2500HP (or if not, as used on Fairy Firefly aeroplane). Meteor engine does not have the supercharger.
Where would they put it if it had one? You couldn’t close the hood.
Norman
In front off the crank or a centrifugal blower.
I didn’t look for more pictures but wondered if it was blown
Proof that alcohol and car builders also mix across the pond kinda wonder what it would cost to get it shipped to the US guess we will have to watch the auction and see if a YouTube person picks it up. If whistlen Diesel gets it you will get to see it jump.
The only thing missing is dual turbochargers.
I was thinking the only thing missing was the flux capacitor.
It just proves that anything worth doing,,,, is worth doing to excess! Rear body lines, very 1800ESish. What a blast it would be to take on a blast! The torque experience has to be more fun than a Viper! Although no one would take a bet that the Viper handles better. Just looks like so much fun!
Oh my.
A collaboration rooted in unconventional thinking. Lovely prose, Elizabeth. Maybe I didn’t take the time but would like to see some views at ground level. Maybe now we know where the inspiration for the ’70 Pontiac came from. As others have said, 19 feet isn’t that long if you’ve owned any big Yankee iron.
My Jaguar VandPlas is just about 17 feet long and handles pretty well, considering it’s wider than it is tall.
I do like the shape from the cowl back but the hood is bit too long for my liking.
I would indeed enjoy a blast down an airstrip in it.
The 58 Lincoln was six inches longer.
Looks like Cruella DeVil’s grocery getter.
Man, I’ll bet that thing is a hoot to drive and a bear to park.
Well, you wouldn’t park it so much as you would moor it.
A few years back I watched a YouTube video about this. I was impressed with the engineering skills of the builder. To take this from an idea to a functional vehicle is quite an impressive achievement.
This car can be seen driving on Youtube.
Jay Leno purchased a Merlin fitted Bentley from the UK which is on Youtube (also driven on the UK TopGear). I think he later sold it and built his own version also on Youtube. One of those cars was auto and the other manual gearbox. He makes a joke about fuel economy where the filling of the fuel tank starts when the sun is shining and as the light fades to black the station owner walks over the Jay who is still filling the tank and says to Jay that he wants to close up for the night!
I am not much good with the right hand drive cars so I would probably have it wrecked in a week.
All that quality work and engineering and it looks like he put in a cheap JC Whitney sun roof.
At first I thought this was a die cast toy! There was nothing to compare it to for size ratio!
This would be fun to get registered and inspected.
Norman
In front off the crank or a centrifugal blower.
I didn’t look for more pictures but wondered if it was blown