Brakes? What brakes? 1903 Napier is alarmingly brisk - HubNut Goes Veteran!

The first Veteran vehicle on HubNut! This 1903 Napier was built to compete in the Gordon Bennett race of that year. This video is a detailed look around, a demonstration of how to start that massive engine and then an exciting ride around the Beaulieu grounds! See this vehicle at ‪@BeaulieuNationalMotorMuseum‬ or on this year's Veteran London to Brighton run!
#classiccars #startup #cars
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0.00 Veteran Drive By
0:06 Introducing the 1903 Napier
3:27 Starting and hand-cranking
7:50 On board the Napier
10:50 Summing up

[@Bicyclehub]

What an exciting motor car! In 1903 it must have seemed like a spaceship.

[@pashakdescilly7517]

I remember reading an 'Autocar' magazine report in this car in the early 1970s, when it was merely 70 years old. They were equally impressed by it. They commented on its ability to spin the tyres, leaving wierdly narrow rubber marks.

[@pashakdescilly7517]

The 'Autocar' article described how British Racing Green came about. The British team won the Gordon Bennett race, so were to host the next match race. Britain's anti-motoring laws restricred vehicle speeds and banned racing on public roads. The laws were looser in Ireland, then part of Britain, so the race was to be held there. In honour of Ireland, the Napier factory decided to paint the team cars green. It was a mid green, far lighter than the colour later adopted, probably to make it less obviously Irish, maybe just a liking for dull tones. Anyway, there has been a huge variety of greens used on English racing cars - see Aston Martin's version.

[@thesmallerhalf1968]

Mr Toad’s love of driving furiously springs to mind.

[@Blackadder75]

Brilliant, that was the first thought of mine as well

[@paulbennell3313]

119 years old and can still get a fair old trot on!

[@Zadster]

Oddly similar to the procedure needed to get the Oltcit started!

[@crashbox7130]

Very good Ian. Just one correction; the red flag was abolished with the introduction of the Locomotives on Highways Act 1896, which came into force on 14th November 1896. The requirement to have a chap walking ahead waving a red flag was abolished, along with the 4mph speed limit, with a new 14mph speed limit in place for vehicles under 3 tons. The speed limit was increased to 20mph in the Motor Car Act 1903.

[@hestjensen3876]

Imagine if the flag runner had to do 20 mph 😃

[@crashbox7130]

@@hestjensen3876 I wouldn't want to try it at 14mph, let alone 20!! 😄

[@AndreiTupolev]

Napier of course who went on to produce all manner of remarkable engines, the W12 Lion, H24 Sabre, and the 18 cylinder two stroke opposed piston Deltic. They always loved a big complicated engine

[@simong9067]

This one seemed quite sensible by Napier standards. Obviously their early days before they went completely mad. Later on they'd have got about 400hp from that lump, more with turbo compounding.

[@kidmohair8151]

not to mention a few fairly amazing aero-engines...

[@kaitlyn__L]

I shall have to look into the H24… but it sounds like two W12s stuck together which sounds amazing.

[@AndreiTupolev]

@@kaitlyn__L it's essentially two flat-12s, four banks of 6 cylinders, and two crankshafts geared together

[@oldclassiccarUK]

*What a cracking bit of kit, the many stitch repairs to the block brought back a few (unpleasant) memories for me, thanks for featuring a real oldie*

[@waltertaljaard1488]

No wonder motorcars costed a fortune in those days. Looking at the way they were built. Absolute top quality materials and engineering.

[@thephilpott2194]

..and some rather skilled latter day cold-stitching to nasty cracks around cylinder number 4 by the looks of it!

[@pashakdescilly7517]

@@thephilpott2194 cold stitching has been around for a very long time

[@bentullett6068]

The drivers who raced these cars were brave souls. Napier however went on to make my favourite sounding engine ever fitted in a diesel locomotive, the Deltic.

[@drd6416]

Thumps along like one too and probably has as much torque!

[@johnwaga3702]

Wow! Incredible - 7.7 litres, 4 cylinders and 50hp! It looks absolutely beautiful and what amazing engineering, and all done 119 years ago!! It also shifts!

[@peterriggall8409]

Your visit to Beaulieu continues to treat us. Thanks so much to the staff for allowing this to happen for our enjoyment. It had me LOL at times and amazed at others.

[@jaggass]

Somewhere in the UK there is a 1905 Fiat Isotta-Fraschini with a 16.5L engine out of a WW1 Airship and the owner doesn't get very long out of the tyres. That is very fast and has so much torque as well. Hopefully you get to drive it one day.

[@TheKnightsShield]

Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmq8qKqVo76ofKM

[@RWBHere]

Is that the FIAT which used to be at 'The Plume Of Feathers' in Princeton, Dartmoor, in the 1970's?

[@christhesnaildriver]

Wonderful to see this Ian, and glad you got the opportunity! Fantastic to see the Napier in action, and some wonderful memories too. Those are two familiar faces I knew at the museum back in 2000 when I did my school "work experience" there. Mike, the chap with the stick, was a keen motorcyclist and rode in on a BMW sidecar outfit year-round, and the Engineer who drove you in the Napier kindly took me for a brisk spin around the grounds in the Blower Bentley 4 1/2, which was a heck of an experience and was in lieu of a ride in their BMW Isetta which was due to go out, but thwarted by mechanical problems!

[@BlueXonar]

I love the old school repairs to the cracks in the engine block

[@PresidentSquigglyMiggly]

The sound of those huge early engines was a masterpiece in and of itself

[@AdamTownsend343]

Doing the London to Brighton in a 1903 Oldsmobile this year... can't wait for this to blast past us 😅

[@edgarbeat2851]

Curved dash? If so very nice.

[@AdamTownsend343]

@@edgarbeat2851 Yep, fingers crossed for some good weather

[@edgarbeat2851]

@@AdamTownsend343 Thatcis a dream car I'd love to one day. Good luck on the Run.

[@micheltebraake7915]

A lot of torque at low revs, a modern engine can learn from that. The riders of the past were very brave, although they didn't realize it at the time.

[@Tagora2664]

Wow, I'm very jealous! That must have been a fantastic experience. Had a surprising turn of speed too 😲

[@Tagora2664]

@Mi$Fit Studios Nope, mine is a long way from hitting the road unfortunately.

[@21stcenturyozman20]

Marvellous! Amazing that it still runs despite the block being stitched up. (@ 1:15)

[@tomoreilly9932]

Can't underestimate the work they done to pave the way for modern cars.

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

...and I thought TWC was terrifying, this is a whole other level of scary - I love it!

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

Wow what an experience👍 "Gordon Bennett! it was brisk" The men who raced it really were Boys Own annual hero's.

[@Moggster23]

Absolutely fascinating video! What I find interesting is it had the same amount of gears as my 1st car but there's 75 years between them.

[@steamwally]

Fantastic! Great to see this kind of content. I am on the London to Brighton this year and looking forward to seeing the Napiers, or most likely, the cloud of dust in their wake!

[@adgecutlerofthewest]

Fancy seeing you here Phil! I was thinking of you as I watched.

[@chapsnaps1]

What a beauty. At that rate, she should do London to Brighton in about 90 minutes!

[@alangordon3283]

Literally a one of the magnificent men and their Flying machine .

[@martinneumann7783]

What a brutalo machine. And everything around in British Green. Thanks to you Ian and the Museum guys for showing us this wonderful piece of technic.

[@robertharris7027]

50hp in 1903 - wow. And now we all know where ISO took the idea for the powerdome on the Grifo...😎

[@StevensPaul]

Quite lovely 🌹. Makes my '24 Ford(1924 👀😂) look quite 'modern!' 🇬🇧🇬🇧 🚗🚗.

[@neilforbes416]

A *Throttle* is the speed regulator on: a) motor-bikes, b) steam locomotive engines, c diesel locomotive engines, d) electric locomotive engines. An automobile's speed regulator is an *Accelerator Pedal!*

[@HubNut]

I shall tell CarThrottle to immediately call themselves CarAcceleratorPedal.

[@petersimpson5859]

Although mechanically unrelated, this wonderful car sounds remarkably like a Napier Deltic locomotive when passing the camera. A real thumper.

[@davidflamee]

Wow, I feel your nervous excitement. What a drive, what a car. Completely bonkers and yet utterly brilliant.

[@Tom_Roberts]

Driver + on-board mechanic ! Good idea . Must have been a great one-time experience riding in it.

[@chrisrumble2665]

Definitely not a hubnut car though...no wipers! Seriously, what an experience. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@lofty7180]

what a delightful cacophony of sounds

[@unbalancedcrank]

Gordon Bennett! It’s the birth of British Racing Green! A fabulous treat, and some fascinating views of the workings too. Poop Poop!

[@johnnybravo9096]

Look quite sprightly. Marvellous little machine.

[@sallyhobbit1956]

Top of your game again! Thank you.

[@samuraifool912]

What a Lucky Chap you are. My Face is as Green as that Beautiful Beastie, Green with Envy..!! You can see why the Cap and Goggles were worn in or on a Car like that. A true Wonder of Early transportation..!! Great Video thanks for Taking us along. Cheers All. Kim in Oz. 😎

[@michaelgillett5477]

Good to see you the other day And good to see you enjoyed your drive Michael

[@GarryMcGovern]

Watching that start procedure, then all the mechanicals in full flow........ it was almost hypnotic!

[@adgecutlerofthewest]

Fantastic machine, thanks for sharing this experience. It seems the poor old girl has suffered quite some frost damage but as always cold metal stitching only adds to the beauty, I've had a few blocks done in this way and like to leave the artwork exposed.

[@stephenjcuk7562]

This is what I love to see. Great video. The description 'analogue' is too modern to describe that car. The 'back in the room' outro was amusing as well.

[@hestjensen3876]

You could easily commute in such motor car every day in the summertime. Imagine when you go with 80 mph on the M1

[@WrestlingFace]

Great video sir

[@alanlansdell7533]

Loving this mini series of road-tests from Beaulieu, thanks 👍

[@ianturvey3894]

Fantastic! So British. So Heath-Robinson. Love it!!

[@GreenShogun]

Amazing video! Historic cars really don't get enough exposure to current generations

[@3550rebel]

More veteran and veteran car reviews please.

[@twocvbloke]

Rather scary looking thing given it picks up that quick, but pretty impressive at the same time, amazing old beast... :D I presume that this Napier was the same that created the Napier deltic engines too?

[@wildtinsey]

Fascinating and lovely machine, thanks for sharing.

[@Klutch58Customs]

Excellent 👍 thanks Ian. I'm a repeat visitor, fantastic collection. That ignition system looks like I could recreate it from parts I sweep up from my garage floor. Proper heroes back then!

[@saxon-mt5by]

I am Napier Green with envy!

[@allanmollison6971]

Thanks for sharing Ian 😊👍

[@davegreg]

Really enjoyed this one Ian.......what a fabulous car, i think it looks relatively 'modern' for a 1903 car - a very pretty thing, and seems to have plenty of power too. Fantastc.

[@matthyde693]

Real car lovers enjoy all eras of vehicles. Thank you Ian for these videos.

[@grayfool]

What a car! Yikes! I've been on the bus though, many years ago when we vivited the museum. Lovely place. We also had a chat with Lady Montagu, lovely lady.

[@Captain_Scarlet_SIG]

Most enjoyable Ian what a great machine.

[@buggs9950]

Quite possibly the only Hubnut video with no mention of windscreen wipers!

[@brianmcelvogue3370]

Well done getting a ride in this piece of motoring history ⭐️

[@alansmith1770]

Incredible & how technology has advanced. My KA+ is a quarter the size yet produces 20 more BHP. Really enjoyable thanks Ian.

[@andyglewv8]

Lovely motor, Napier were known for excellent engineering, as from this video the engine is so smooth and quiet, I bet the gears driving the mag are making more noise. I see the block has been cold stitched at the rear at some point in its life.

[@dorbellbuster2011]

I have seen cars dating as Far as 1926, However this is on another Level, Even though you where not allowed to Drive it. To just Get a Ride in it must of been an Experience you will not forget anytime soon. Fantastic!

[@AndreiTupolev]

Looks like some stitching on the block of the number 4 cylinder, probably a repair from long, long ago

[@sirdigbyminge1639]

Pure Gold.

[@graham6771]

That thing goes!

[@CaptHollister]

I would imagine that with such long updraft intake runners, priming cups were indeed indispensable. Here I was, thinking Yamaha had pioneered 5 valve heads with the 1984 FZ750 and Cadillac pioneered the modern pedal layout in 1916... So, what are the chances of HubNut hitching a ride in the London to Brighton run ?

[@HubNut]

I don't think it'll happen this year sadly, but you never know...

[@doneB830]

That’s impressive for its year.

[@michailokeefeMooMoo]

Great car more like this please

[@tristanpage6805]

Great video. What a car and what a time. You hear of southern softies but I think this car deserves everyone, everywhere, ever softies!

[@tonys1636]

Here's hoping the weather plays ball for this years VCC run, I can't think of much worse than 52 mile to Brighton sea front (measured from the former site of the Charing Cross, now on Trafalgar Square as all distances from London are, not the start in Hyde Park) in near sub zero temperatures or pouring rain in an open vehicle.

[@Snarfcat]

Amazing, proper hubnut

[@TheLowerman]

Fantastic video!!! Thanks so much!

[@GentilsGarage]

These veterans are just terrifyingly exciting be in.

[@GoldenCroc]

Stuff like this is as cool as it gets if you ask me. Cars of this era are just so totally alien to anything that came later. Mechanical sensory overload, I am sure.

[@BReal-10EC]

What's great about such an early racing machine is how all of the parts needed to make the engine run are on full display - nothing has been improved to be smaller so it can be hidden away. Watching that car run is almost a basic class on the Internal Combustion Engine. Something people don't think about with old cars like that- the tires. The TREADED tire wasn't invented until 1905. Think about that. Running along at 60-70 mph on something you wouldn't even put on a lawnmower now. This car may have had solid rubber slicks that were as grippy as shipping cart wheels.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

What a amazing vehicle the Napier is to think how far we have come with the car 7.7 litres producing 50bhp to say a 1.0 producing 140bhp.

[@HowardLeVert]

Another great video - thank you!

[@nikonordman7624]

6:18 that red thing in the back reminds me that you should maybe drive some of lawries mechanical marvels's vehicles

[@simon-xi3cv]

Brilliant car and video, thanks!

[@glennmckenzie1096]

Astounding!

[@markhancock7527]

The three Drivers where Charles Jarrott,John Stocks also a champion cyclists riding for Catford c.c & Anerley B.C & Selwyn Francis Edge again a champion cyclist with Anerley B.C & the winner of the 1902 Gordon Bennett race for the U.K

[@karenleith6079]

Incredible motor!

[@anthonystevens8683]

My word, what a wonderful video Ian. I think you are more daring than I being a passenger at speed possibly with harsh language required to assist the brakes. And that's from someone who taught themselves to ride motorcycles four decades ago although it may well have been said in those times I just might have been a tad bonkers, probably still am.

[@HubNut]

There wasn't much to hold on to!

[@anthonystevens8683]

@@HubNut You did a great job Ian, filming at the same time. I would have been lucky to hold on to my breakfast. You are a braver man than I.

[@jaggass]

That's about as naked as a car can get. Very fast for 1903 and has so much torque.

[@graemew7001]

I was thinking that Colin Chapman would have been mighty proud of the weight stripping that Napier did with that remarkable car.

[@franksmith4254]

You lucky lucky man I'd love to have a go in that.

[@runoflife87]

Well this video is simply stunning. So few moments here and there to see those early 1900's cars moving.

[@terencehawkes3933]

What magnificent condition! It runs extremely well!

[@AndreiTupolev]

You can see why it was called the Gordon Bennett races. That's what anyone would say hurtling round a blind corner on that 😶

[@grrfy]

what a beauty.

[@johndutton9739]

Wow, another great video - I felt the same - vulnerable sitting so high up when I had a go in a mates model t recently - it’s so nice to see these museum pieces actually driving. Can’t imagine doing 70 in it! Jeepers!! Love the details you give - the ignition is fascinating as well as the suction inlet valves - what a great idea. Enjoyed this - thanks Ian

[@mbak7801]

That block stitching looks like a major repair. Did a large chunk of the block break off during one of the crashes or was it frost damage? Stitching metal is very skilled work and it is good to see an example that has worked.

[@craigmclean8260]

"Glorious, stirring sight!" Looks like that was a real hoot to get a ride in/on that...Now, if you could hitch a ride on "The Beast of Turin"--28.4 liter 4-cylinder w/ open exhaust stacks; the videos I've seen of it running make it hard to tell if there's an engine running, or someone operating a small blast-furnace under the "power barn"...Thanks for sharing this one!

[@allanriches9381]

That is one amazing car

[@CambrianClassicsLtd]

Fantastic fun!

[@The-Rectifier]

Ive been lucky enough to drove a Ford T....but seriously this Napier look even more vicious to drive. Brave man and they're crazy machines. 😎

[@1961kickboxer]

WhAt a beautiful engine.

[@johnnorth9355]

Proper motoring .

[@davidelliott6995]

Somewhere here I have a copy of Classic and Sportscars magazine from the ‘80s from when this vehicle first arrived back in the UK from the USA. Bought with a public appeal and some goverment guarantees to go to the National Car Museum, (Beaulieu?)

[@danielrussell446]

Wow what an amazing experience!