WIX Archives
Re: Merlin-engined RR
Posted by James D on Sun Dec 16, 2001 10:15:01 AM
In reply top Merlin-engined RR posted by Ron Henry on Fri Dec 14, 2001 01:28:03 PM
His name was John Dodd(s?)
The original "Beast" (for that was its name) was a Mustang (car) looking thing that did burn in a fire in the seventies. The biggest gripe he had, was the fact that you couldnt keep `70s tyres on the rims at 200+mph! Rolls did indeed take him to court because he stuck a cut down tombstone - sorry, grille shell - on the front of it. The fire completely destroyed the `glass body and left no trace of the spare wheel although the fuel tank still yielded some 40 gallons of fuel after it was opened!! A new engine was found (don`t know from where!) and a new estate car style body was constructed - without that grille. I think he eventually retired to Spain with the car, but a couple of years ago it was brought back to Blighty by his son Paul. After a bit of freshening on the engine he was back on the road. If you want to take a look at the car, he quite often takes it to the Guildford cruise, (1st Sunday of the month - just follow all the Hot Rods) where I have seen it and spoken to him. Its fun to just stand around and listen to the bewildered comments of some of the other spectators. He kind of did a double take when I asked him if he had transport liners in it! Have to say, it doesn`t sound terribly healthy, rather clattery in fact, though its apparently down to all the accesory drives to the alternators/mags or whatever else, hanging off it. Its still a hell of a site to see on the road though.
Cheers, James