I know it's a pre-war vintage machine that I just won from the Series 20 Horizon Autumn Playlist in the game but just what really is the Napier-Railton? I mean, come on, is there so much to understand about a forgotten fossil unearthened by science?
Built in 1933, the Napier-Railton, forged by the minds of Brooklands driver John Cobb, Reid Railton, and the folks from Thomson and Taylor within the skunk works of the Brooklands track, this 24-litre, aeroplane-engined race car was made to achieve many speed records in Brooklands and around the world at its time. It managed to achieve a 24 hour record of 150.6mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1936 and the Brooklands Outer Circuit Lap Record of 143.44mph, which, as of present times, is unbeaten.
When the Napier-Railton retired its racing duties as well as the Brooklands in 1937, it got hired by a film company in 1949. Then, two years later, it got sold to the GQ Parachute Company, where they carried out successful parachute testing at Dunsfold before Bob Roberts acquired it for his Midland Motor Museum. It got overhauled in 1975 by Hodec Engineering at Old Woking in Surrey. Bob Roberts sold this to one-time Aston Martin Chairman Victor Gauntlett in 1989, then auctioned in 1991, and in 1997, it was found and bought by a Swiss classic car dealer, on loan to the Brooklands Museum, where it was currently displayed.
I have never seen a forgotten vintage racer that has very colorful backstory like this and upon further understanding about the Napier-Railton's backstory, I got a hold of it to see what this legend is made of and judging by the rumble of its 21-liter airplane engine, the Napier-Railton really is a monster of a machine that tends to intimidate the crowd with such noise. Since this was made to be a record-breaker in the straights, I think I find it to be difficult to make turns with it but who cares? Since this is a legend that bags an unbeatable record at a defunct track, it's time to demonstrate how this car is made for.
I've used the oval section of the LEGO Valley's Falcon Speedway to demonstrate the Napier's capabilities while getting challenged by other ancient racers along the way. So, let's get the party started, shall we? En garde!
The legend is real, after all.
Those who never met the Napier-Railton should need to meet this legend because with so much colorful backstory for a forgotten vintage racer, it really is one of the best of the British.
Enjoy your ride!