The Napier L48 “Samson” has record-breaking status – it was the first to overcome the 160 km/h mark on the American continent. His exact reconstruction will be sold on February 29 at Bonhams|Cars auction. The price ranges from 900,000 to 1,100,000 US dollars.
On January 25, 1905, in Florida, a 23-year-old British mechanic named Arthur MacDonald became the world speed record holder by breaking the 160 km/h barrier.. The record was set by the British car Napier L48 “Samson”. In addition to the speed record, it also holds the title of the world's first successful racing car with a six-cylinder engine.
This engine was not the first in the world, but it was revolutionary. With a volume of 15 liters, this in-line engine produced 240 hp. at 2300 rpm, which was quite impressive for that time. It was mated to a two-speed manual transmission because the chassis design did not allow for a three-speed transmission.
The car being sold at auction is not original.. This “Samson” is a faithful reconstruction of a 1904 racing car built using the original L48 engine.
As is often the case with sports cars, after an outstanding racing career, the car was sold for scrap.. Interestingly, the original six-cylinder engine went through more than one workshop before ending up in the hands of Bob Chamberlain, the Australian manufacturer of Chamberlain tractors.
Bob decided to restore the legendary car, rebuilding it according to the original drawings and diagrams around its original “heart”. After fruitful work, the car eventually received a second life in 1982.
It is significant that this reconstruction also took part in races. In 1993, its new owner Peter Briggs even participated in the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. Now, this car is being sold at the Bonhams|Cars auction, setting another record for the value of historical vintage cars – experts valued this sports car at about a million dollars.