{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Use British English|date=May 2013}} {{Infobox automobile | image = Napier-Railton badge.jpg | caption = | name = 1933 Napier-Railton | manufacturer = | production = | assembly = | predecessor = | body_style = Single-seater | successor = | layout = FR layout | class = | platform = | engine = 24 L Napier XIA W12 aero engine | transmission = | wheelbase = | weight = | designer = Reid Railton | related = Napier-Bentley }}
The '''Napier-Railton''' is an aero-engined racing car built in 1933, designed by Reid Railton to a commission by John Cobb, and built by Thomson & Taylor. It was driven by Cobb, mainly at the Brooklands race track where it holds the all-time lap record ({{convert|143.44|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}) which was set in 1935. The circuit was appropriated for military purposes during the Second World War, and never reopened in that form for racing. It has a W12 engine with 3 different exhaust systems.
==History== Between 1933 and 1937, the Napier-Railton broke 47 world speed records at Brooklands, Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry and Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.<ref name="Marriott Library, Napier Railton">{{cite web |title = Bonneville Salt Flats Motorsports multimedia exhibit |url = http://www.lib.utah.edu/spc/photo/bonn/bonn.htm |publisher = [Marriott Library, University of Utah] |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080509142046/http://www.lib.utah.edu/spc/photo/bonn/bonn.htm |archivedate = 9 May 2008 }} (photo of the Napier-Railton at Bonneville)</ref> It was also entered in a number of races at Brooklands, the most prominent success being taking the {{ill|Brooklands 500 miles|qid=Q136724386|s=1|v=sup}} race in 1935, Cobb sharing the driving with {{ill|Tim Rose-Richards|de}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=500 mile Brooklands |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Brooklands-1935-09-21.html |website=Racing Sports Cars |access-date=13 August 2025}}</ref>
The car is powered by the high compression version (6.1:1) (RAF specification) of the naturally aspirated Napier Lion, a W12 of {{convert|23.944|L|cuin|0}} capacity, producing {{cvt|580|bhp|0}} at 2585 revolutions per minute (recorded at {{cvt|5000|ft|m|disp=sqbr}} – performance at ground level may be different), and {{cvt|1250|lbft|0}} of torque. The 12 cylinders are in three banks of four (broad-arrow configuration), hence the triple exhaust system, and the engine has standard aerospace features such as dual magneto ignition. The non-synchromesh crash gearbox (named for the horrible noises caused by a mis-shift) has 3 ratios. The fuel tank, located in the boat-tail behind the driver, has a capacity of {{cvt|65|impgal}}, fuel consumption was approximately {{cvt|5|mpgimp}}.
Following the Second World War, the car was, for a short time, repurposed to test the drogue chutes of aircraft. It was also used in the film ''Pandora and the Flying Dutchman''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Napier-Railton |url=https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/discover/our-collection/collection-highlights/napier-railton/ |website=Brooklands Museum}}</ref>
Postwar owners include Patrick Lindsay and Victor Gauntlett. The car was purchased by Brooklands Museum circa 1997 with the support of the UK's Heritage Lottery Fund and other donors. It is maintained in fully working order and is normally on display in one of the museum's 1930s motoring sheds. The car is run regularly and is usually present at the Goodwood Revival motor race meeting every September.
<gallery> Napier-Railton at Brooklands.jpg|The Napier-Railton at Brooklands Napier railton - front-side.jpg|The Napier-Railton at Brooklands 6d388565.jpg|The Napier-Railton at Brooklands Napier rear nearside.jpg|The Napier-Railton at Brooklands Napier-Railton cockpit.jpg|Cockpit/Dash Napier-Railton Engine Bay.jpg|The Napier Lion engine Napier Railton @ Brooklands Museum.JPG|The Napier-Railton at Brooklands </gallery>
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== *{{cite book |title=The 1933 24-litre Napier-Railton |first=William |last=Boddy |authorlink=William Boddy |year=1966 |series=No. 28, Profile cars |location=Leatherhead |publisher=Profile Publications |ref=Profile, Napier-Railton |oclc=918154950 }}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080329021604/http://www.brooklands.org.uk/reunion/naprail.htm Brooklands Society] *[https://www.andysvideo.com/#napier Napier Railton Video Playlist] *{{cite web |title = Gallery of period photos of the Napier-Railton |url = http://www.brooklandsarchives.com/Gallery_N2/index.html |publisher = [Brooklands photo archive] }}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Category:Vehicles designed by Reid Railton Category:Vehicles powered by Napier Lion engines Category:Racing cars Category:Cars powered by aircraft engines