Spitfire-engined speedster car dubbed The Beast goes to auction and should fetch over £100k

A 19ft long motor known as The Beast is now up for sale, with potential buyers ultra-keen to get their hands on a piece of automotive history.

Built in 1972 by car enthusiast John Dodd, who passed away in December aged 90, this is the first time the car has come up for sale in its fifty year history.

At the heart of The Beast is a 27-litre V12 Merlin engine - the same as you’ll find in a Spitfire - which propels the car onto a top speed of 183mph.

The Guinness Book of Records listed it as the most powerful road car in the world in 1977, but fuel economy won’t break any records however at a reported 2mpg.

A custom interior includes a bank of red switches which are used to initiate the starting sequence for the Merlin engine, while the Beast only has 10,685 miles on the clock.

“Car & Classic was the logical choice for the first sale of The Beast in its 50-year history” says its CEO Tom Wood.

"It is impossible to value", but could achieve in excess of £100,000 at the auction.

“This is a genuine once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope the lucky new buyer continues to use and enjoy the car the way John did.” adds Wood

The Beast’s auction starts on March 9th and lasts for seven days.