‘The Beast’ with a 27-litre World War II tank engine heads to auction

The engine from a World War II tank, a legal battle with Rolls-Royce and a world record – The Beast has a number of stories to tell, and it’s coming up for auction.

A bespoke ‘Rolls-Royce’ which once held the title of the world’s most powerful car is heading to auction in the UK – but its past accolade doesn’t tell its full story.

Listed by Car and Classic, ‘The Beast’ is a custom creation which has made headlines multiple times through its more than 50-year life so far – having been involved in a fire, a legal battle and an appearance on the world’s most famous car show.

Originally built in 1966 by British engineer Paul Jameson, The Beast’s bespoke rolling chassis incorporated suspension equipment from UK car-makers such as Jaguar and Wolesley – but its engine comes from a World War II tank.

The Beast was powered by a 27-litre V12 ‘Meteor’ engine made by Rolls-Royce – a variant of the ‘Merlin’ engine which powered World War II planes such as the Hurricane and Spitfire, though the land-based engine was not fitted with a supercharger. 

Mr Jameson soon sold the chassis to John Dodd, an automatic transmission specialist who had built the heavily modified General Motors three-speed gearbox for The Beast. Mr Dodd then commissioned Fibre Glass Repairs to build a body for the car, which was fitted with a Rolls-Royce grille as a nod to the engine’s heritage.

The London County Council approved Mr Dodd’s application for the 27-litre bespoke car to be registered as a Rolls-Royce, starting what would eventually become a legal battle between the engineer and the British brand.

In 1975, a fire destroyed everything but The Beast’s chassis, though Mr Dodd decided to use the £18,500 ($234,000 today) insurance pay-out to have a new body built as he sourced another Meteor engine.

The new body (pictured) was radically different from its predecessor but it still retained a Rolls-Royce grille, gaining international recognition after featuring in the 1977 Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most powerful car, with its engine boasting outputs of more than 560kW and 1030Nm.

Unsurprisingly, Rolls-Royce took a dim view of Mr Dodd’s exploits and summoned the engineer to the High Court for breach of trademark.

The legal proceedings – detailed in a 2016 report by Classic Driver magazine – culminated in Mr Dodd losing the case as well as his house for Contempt of Court.

Despite this, he was able to keep The Beast, soon moving it to Spain and replacing the Rolls-Royce grille with a custom-made piece bearing his initials, ‘JD’.

In addition to a number of magazine appearances, The Beast was featured in a 1998 episode of Top Gear – uploaded on YouTube – with Mr Dodd’s son as its owner. 

According to the Car and Classic auction listing, the Dodd family retains ownership of The Beast, though John Dodd passed away in December 2022.

The online auction is due to begin on 9 March 2023 UK time.

27 Litre Merlin V12? It's the one, the only, John Dodd's THE BEAST! from Car & Classic on Vimeo.

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2015-2021 Porsche Panamera recalled due to fire risk

A fault in the Porsche Panamera’s engine cooling system could cause the vehicle to catch fire.

Porsche Australia has recalled 243 examples of its 2015-2021 Porsche Panamera, citing a potential fault with the vehicle’s engine cooling system that could cause a fire.

The affected Panameras were built by Porsche between 2015 and 2021, though the car maker has not specified which variants are covered in the recall.

The recall notice, lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, says: “Due to a design defect, moisture may leak into the additional coolant pump’s control unit. This may cause an electrical short circuit and result in a vehicle fire.

“A vehicle fire could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users or bystanders.”

Date of recall notice	27 February 2023
Make	Porsche
Model	Panamera
Year	2015-2021
Vehicles affected	243
VIN list	Click here to download the list of affected VINs
Contact link	Click here to contact the manufacturer

Between 2015 and 2021, Porsche reported 413 Panameras as sold in Australia.

A full list of vehicle identification numbers for the 243 vehicles involved in the recall can be found here.

Porsche has advised owners of affected vehicles to temporarily park their car outdoors and a sufficient distance away from other vehicles and buildings to minimise any possible risk to people or the surrounding area.

Owners can contact their nearest Porsche dealer by clicking here, or phone Porsche Assistance on 1800 659 911.

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Lego celebrates McLaren anniversary with brick-rendition F1 LM and Solus GT

McLaren is celebrating its 60th anniversary by championing two of its most iconic models with the help of Lego.

McLaren has tapped Lego to help celebrate its 60th anniversary, with the pair releasing a double-pack Speed Champions set including a 1995 McLaren F1 LM and a 2023 Solus GT.

The two icons simultaneously celebrate the brand’s history and future, with the 1995 McLaren F1 LM representing its rich heritage, while the 2023 McLaren Solus GT previews the best of what’s next.

Between the two Lego sets there is a combined 581 pieces and two McLaren-suited minifigure drivers.

Both feature the Papaya Orange paint colour synonymous with the British marque – the Solus GT features orange accents while the McLaren F1 LM scores an orange paint job much like the original.

Staying true to their original counterparts, the McLaren F1 LM features a central driving position and unique air vents over the wheel arches, as the Solus GT gets a single-seat layout and high-downforce rear wing like the real deal.

The McLaren F1 LM was built as a road-going, limited-edition version of the McLaren F1 GTRs which won the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. McLaren built just five examples of the ultimate F1 model, with a sixth development prototype retained by McLaren itself inside its headquarters in Woking, England.

The 2023 McLaren Solus GT is a single-seat track-only hypercar which features a 618kW V10 engine – the first McLaren with more than an eight-cylinder engine since the McLaren F1. It’ll be limited to just 25 examples.

With so few examples of either the McLaren F1 LM or the new Solus GT, prices are understandably high. No price is given for the latter, while the last auction result for the McLaren F1 LM netted its owner a cool $29,000,000.

Thankfully the Lego renditions are keenly priced by comparison – the set is now on sale from $69.99.

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2023 Volvo C40 Owner Review

We really wanted to make a move to an electric car to replace our aging Land Rover Discovery Sport.
Owner: Paul

We really wanted to make a move to an electric car to replace our aging Land Rover Discovery Sport, and looked at both the Volvo XC40 as well as the Polestar 2, before choosing the C40 as almost a perfect blend of the two!

The SUV ride height suited us better, but we liked the coupe styling. Although, the lower roof height has taken a bit of getting used to as my wife occasionally bumps her head getting into the car.

We live in Sydney but have family in Mittagong where we travel at least once a week. The C40 can make the return trip on a single charge, which is great, but we installed a wallbox charger at both locations so can get 7kW charging overnight.

I’ve taken the car to Port Macquarie a couple of times and while the public charging infrastructure still has a long way to go (many stations are often offline), I have become very used to the car’s range and energy use.

I’m averaging about 18.3kWh/100km now which I’m really happy with.

I’ll generally reach a charger (usually at home) with at least 20 per cent battery left, so I haven’t found myself worrying about range. The car is easily capable of 350-400 km, which works perfectly for me.

Driving the Volvo is brilliant. I love the one-pedal driving and being able to beat pretty much anything away from the lights. I’d love to try the twin motor version!

The power is very smooth and it didn’t take long to get used to the electric experience, plus without sounding too cliché, it does feel good to be making the EV switch. 

Size wise, the C40 works well for us as a couple, as I’ll usually fold a seat to fit my clubs in the boot. We’d probably want something bigger if we still had the kids to cart around, but seeing as we’re mostly one or two-up in the car, it works really well.

I really like the Google technology in terms of voice activation for navigation, and find the system convenient and easy to use.

My one big gripe is when you connect Apple CarPlay the map display in the instrument cluster goes black. You still get speed and dials, but I’d like to keep navigation or Waze in here. I hope this can be improved in a software update.

Also, the sloping rear hatch could use a wiper, especially on cold mornings where you can’t see anything out without either wiping it down or driving until it clears.

We’ve been really happy with the C40 so far and strangely enjoy being Volvo drivers! Not something I ever thought I’d say.

The change to electric was easier than we expected and we’ll do it again when it comes time to replace our other car.

Owner: Paul

MORE: Everything Volvo

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Video: Hybrid Honda CR-V ‘Beast’ race car with 600kW revealed

The new Honda CR-V has been turned into a race car – complete with a twin-turbo V6 engine and one of the world’s most advanced hybrid systems.

The North American division of Honda has unveiled its CR-V ‘Hybrid Racer’ – combining the new looks of its popular SUV with technology from its racing programs.

After teasing the vehicle earlier this week, Honda Performance Development (HPD) – the car-maker’s US racing division – took the covers off its radical CR-V and shared more details about what it calls the ‘HPD Beast’.

As previously reported by Drive, the CR-V’s petrol power comes from a 2.2-litre twin-turbo V6 which Honda produces for the North American IndyCar open-wheel racing series – the same engine which has won eight Indy 500s winners and four championships since 2012.

According to Honda, the engine runs on ‘100 per cent renewable’ racing fuel made by oil giant Shell, rather than the 85 per cent ethanol blend which IndyCar mandates for all teams.

In an IndyCar, the engine can produce up to 560kW in its qualifying mode, but the addition of a hybrid system means this Honda CR-V racer can make as much as 600kW.

The V6 engine is fitted with a Formula One-style electric ‘motor generator unit’ (MGU) which provides the power boost straight to the engine, though Honda did not specify whether it is installed on the turbochargers or crankshaft.

While electric motors are conventionally powered by batteries, Honda has equipped its CR-V race car with supercapacitors – a technology which has been previously used by Lamborghini.

Unlike a conventional battery, which is designed to store large amounts of energy and discharge it more gradually, a supercapacitor relies on electrostatics to discharge its power more rapidly.

Drive is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox which is operated by paddle shifters on the car’s steering wheel (also taken from an IndyCar), while the 20-inch wheels are wrapped in Firestone ‘Firehawk Indy 500’ tyres – sold in Australia as the Bridgestone Potenza RE003.

Both the petrol engine and its hybrid system are fitted behind the driver in a steel tube chassis which incorporates rear suspension components from an IndyCar, while the occupants are protected by a roll cage and racing seats in the cabin.

On the outside, the new-look Honda CR-V’s design has been modified and enhanced with huge aerodynamic parts, carbon fibre and lightweight bodywork.

Despite its extreme appearance, Honda claims the hybrid race car retains the CR-V’s steel body, including the glass windshield, windows and even the sunroof.

According to Honda, the HPD Beast will be shown at various IndyCar rounds throughout the year as well as making “additional appearances at select events throughout 2023” – but it is not clear whether it will ever be driven on a race track in a competitive environment.

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Pop star sues dealer for $US1 million over allegedly fake Maserati – report

He has moves like Jagger, and now he’s got a counterfeit Maser, allegedly.

A classic-car dealer in the US is being sued for $US1 million ($AU1.5 million) by a pop star for selling an alleged knock-off of a very rare Maserati.

According to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Adam Levine, lead singer of the band Maroon 5, is suing the dealer after buying what he believed to be a 1971 Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder – one of only approximately 25 to have been built by Maserati.

The lawsuit claims the Ghibli convertible was named “the 1241” by the dealer – in reference to the vehicle’s identification number, AM115.492.1241 – when the real Maserati with that VIN is believed to be owned by British aviation tycoon and luxury car collector, Clive Joy-Morancho.

The report claims Mr Levine traded a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 and a 1968 Ferrari 365 GTC for the Maserati, along with an additional $US100,000 to seal the deal.

MORE: Rare Italian sports car listed online for a bargain price – with a major catch

Above: A 1968 Maserati Ghibli Spyder, similar to the vehicle purchased by Adam Levine.

Not only does the lawsuit allege the Texas-based car dealer sold the fraudulent Maserati, but it alleges the dealer was actually responsible for the counterfeit convertible.

“Someone tried to make the vehicle appear authentic by reproducing or stamping a new chassis plate to make the writing seem more like that used by Maserati at the time, in an obvious attempt to convince a potential buyer that the Vehicle was the #1241,” the lawsuit alleges.

“Upon information and belief, it was [the dealer] and/or his agents who made these changes.”

The lawsuit also claims the dealer provided Mr Levine with a letter of authenticity from a Maserati expert – however, the paperwork was apparently written for the ‘real’ Maserati, owned by the British collector.

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Toyota engineers call the Tesla Model Y a “work of art” – report

The Tesla Model Y has reportedly impressed Toyota’s engineering team, saying the electric SUV is “unbelievable” under the skin – as the Japanese car giant ramps up its efforts to catch the US specialist.

Engineers from Japanese car giant Toyota have called the Tesla Model Y a “work of art” after tearing down an example of the electric SUV, according to overseas reports.

A Toyota insider reportedly told industry journal Automotive News the Tesla had been purchased in an attempt to discover the US electric-car giant’s ‘technological secrets’, though engineers were left surprised at how advanced the Model Y was under its bodywork.

“Taking the skin off the (Tesla) Model Y, it was truly a work of art,” a Toyota executive told Automotive News. “It’s unbelievable.”

According to Automotive News, the Model Y evaluated by Toyota was fitted with Tesla’s ‘structural’ battery pack, which uses the battery in the car’s floor structure, rather than an additional component between sections of its chassis.

Tesla Model Y production in Berlin

A Toyota engineer estimated the new battery design – and a move to casting large parts – has saved approximately 100kg from the Tesla Model Y, allowing it to achieve greater driving range and lower production costs.

While Toyota is the world’s biggest car maker by volume – reporting 10.483 million vehicles as sold in 2022, including its luxury marque Lexus, small-car off-shoot Daihatsu, and truck division Hino – the Model Y tear-down has reportedly served as a wake-up call to the company which has been criticised as being slow in its adoption of electric cars..

After being the first car-maker to produce hybrid cars on a large scale – selling more than 18 million petrol-electric models since 1997 – the Japanese marque only launched its first global battery-powered model – the BZ4X – overseas last year, reporting about 5000 examples sold worldwide in 2022.

Tesla Model Y production in Berlin

By comparison, Tesla achieved a new record of 1.3 million electric cars delivered to customers globally in 2022, with its battery-powered vehicle technology regarded as some of the best in the world.

As reported earlier this week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has boldly aimed for the electric-car specialist to sell 20 million cars annually by 2030 – double what Toyota achieved last year – by offering as many as 10 models.

Toyota is targeting Tesla head-on with its electric-car rollout, announcing in December 2021 its plans to launch 12 battery-powered models before the end of the decade. 

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