A unique creation in the history of British motoring, the John Dodd 'Beast' stands as one of the most extraordinary expressions of individual engineering ambition ever constructed. Conceived and built in Britain during the early 1970s, the Beast combines an aircraft-derived powerplant of legendary provenance with a bespoke chassis and striking coachwork, resulting in a vehicle whose very existence borders on the improbable. The origins of the Beast trace to engineer Paul Jameson, who in the late 1960s constructed a custom chassis designed to accommodate a Rolls-Royce Meteor tank engine. When the project attracted the interest of transmission specialist John Dodd, an unlikely collaboration was born. Following a fire that destroyed the original car, Dodd was determined to rebuild the machine to even greater specification. The new car, completed in 1972, was powered by the formidable 27 litre Rolls-Royce Merlin V12, the same engine type that had propelled the Supermarine Spitfire and Avro Lancaster to victory during the Second World War. Dodd engineered his own heavy-duty automatic transmission to harness the immense torque of the Merlin engine. The car's coachwork, fabricated by Fiber Glass Repairs of Bromley, took the form of a grand, two-door shooting brake with extended proportions at around 24 feet in length and initially fitted with a Rolls-Royce radiator grille and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. Inside, the cabin was appointed in fine leather and walnut veneer, reflecting Dodd's intention that his creation should be not merely powerful, but also refined. Performance figures remain a subject of some debate, as formal testing was never conducted under controlled conditions. However, contemporary reports suggest output of approximately 750 to 850hp, with accounts of Dodd achieving speeds in excess of 180mph on the German Autobahn. In an era when even the most exotic Italian sportscars struggled to exceed 170mph, these claims placed the Beast among the fastest road-registered vehicles in existence.

Not surprisingly, the car's adoption of Rolls-Royce styling cues drew the attention of the marque's legal department. In 1981, Rolls-Royce Motors initiated proceedings in the High Court, asserting trademark infringement. Dodd ultimately lost the case, and the vehicle was subsequently modified with a bespoke grille bearing his own name, a defiant gesture befitting the character of both man and machine. When Dodd later relocated to Spain, the Beast accompanied him, where its thunderous Merlin exhaust note became a familiar sound on the roads around Madrid. Despite its dramatic specification, the Beast is notable for its mechanical sophistication. Independent suspension, disc brakes on all four corners, and a surprisingly tractable power delivery made the car genuinely usable, if somewhat demanding of its driver. The scale of its engineering ambition and the audacity of its execution have since secured it an enduring place in British motoring folklore.

Under its current owner's care, the Beast has been treated to notable updates to its appearance. The vehicle has been wrapped in a handsome two-tone metallic grey, the vendor choosing to wrap it instead of painting should the future owner wish to return it to its prior yellow the wrap could easily be removed showing the original paintwork below. The interior has benefitted from a much needed retrim which has been done to a very good standard giving the interior a smart and comfortable feeling. Over half a century since its creation, the Beast remains unique, a singular testament to ingenuity, eccentricity, and the unbounded enthusiasm of the private engineer. Recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the “most powerful car in the world,” it has featured in numerous publications and television programs, earning international renown as one of the most remarkable one-off automobiles ever built. Consigned by Will Penrose

Lot details
Year: 1972
Make: John Dodd
Model: 'Beast'
Registration: KPD 67K
Chassis No: 001
Odometer: 11,000

* Legendary John Dodd creation
* 27 litre Merlin engine
* Custom made automatic transmission