Design excellence: John Cobb's Railton-Mobil Special achieved 394.196 mph using two supercharged Napier Lion aero engines housed in a neutral teardrop body.  Power was 1,250 hp @ 3,600 rpm per engine - the car weighed 3 tons.  It is thought that this car inspired Ken Norris and indeed Ken once mentioned to the original BE3 designer, that research into what had gone before was an essential part of developing a modern LSR vehicle. 

Teardrop bodyform of the Railton Mobil Special

You could be forgiven for thinking the lightweight aluminium body shown above was that of the Bluebird cn7, however, it is being lifted from the the Railton-Mobil Special, revealing smaller wheels.  The car was designed by Reid A Railton who previously designed cars for Parry Thomas and Malcolm Campbell.  

The petrol engine lost the wheel driven record  to the jet powered Bluebird cn7, but shortly after the Summers brothers raised the record above that of the cn7's 403.1 mph to 409.277 mph using 4 V8 petrol engines, in Goldenrod.

John Cobb's Napier Railton at Donington Park

RACING DRIVER

John held the ultimate lap record at the Brooklands race track, driving the 24-litre Napier Railton at an average speed of 143.44 mph (230.84 km/h) achieved on 7 October 1935, having earlier overtaken the 1931 record set by Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin driving Bentley Blower No.1, and regaining it from his friend Oliver Bertram.

Driving the piston-engined, wheel-driven Railton Special he broke the land speed record at Bonneville on 23 August 1939, achieving a mark of 367.91 mph (592.09 km/h). Without this being beaten he raised the record to 394.19 mph (634.39 km/h) in 1947.

During the Second World War he served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force, and between 1943 and 1945 in the Air Transport Auxiliary. In 1941 he made an (uncredited) appearance in the wartime propaganda film Target for Tonight. He reached the rank of group captain.

The Napier Lion was a 12-cylinder aircraft engine produced by Napier & Son from 1917 until the mid 1930's. Although initially intended as an aircraft engine as it was the most powerful engine of its day it was used to power John Cobb's Railton Mobil Special in 1947 too 394 mph, a new car Land Speed Record which was not beaten until the 1960's, supercharged racing versions of the engine exceeded 1300hp output. The advanced design of the Lion resulted in an extended production period. Note the offset angle of the engines in the Mobil's frame, to allow the propeller shafts to reach the differential casings. A brilliant design solution that many engineers would steer clear of. 

WATER SPEED RECORD

Cobb died in 1952, attempting to break the world water speed record at Loch Ness in the jet speedboat Crusader at a speed in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h). The boat hit an unexplained wake, which some believers of the Loch Ness Monster claim was caused by the wake of a large animal. Nearby, there is a memorial to him erected by the people of Glenurquhart. He is buried at Christ Church, Esher.

SEGRAVE TROPHY

He was awarded the Segrave Trophy in 1947.

On 27 March 1953 he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct - John Rhodes Cobb (deceased), Racing Motorist. For services in attempting to break the world's water speed record, and in research into high speed on water, in the course of which he lost his life.

In the Civilian figures section of the sale we offer our first example of Britains Set 1658 – John Cobb’s Railton Wonder Car with Chromium Plated Body. This car, only available during 1938/39 was priced at 1/- more than the standard (set 1656) model, consequently very few were sold. It is now extremely rare, this boxed example is in near Mint condition. Vectis Auctions – +44 1642 750616 admin@vectis.co.uk

The Crusader - jet propelled water speed record boat 1952

IN MEMORIAM

He died in 1952, attempting to break the world water speed record at Loch Ness in the jet speedboat Crusader at a speed in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h). The boat hit an unexplained wake, which some believers of the Loch Ness Monster claim was caused by the wake of a large animal. Nearby, there is a memorial to him erected by the people of Glenurquhart. He is buried at Christ Church, Esher.

PERSONAL LIFE

John Cobb married twice, first to Elizabeth Mitchell-Smith in 1947. After her death in 1948 he married Margaret Glass (1917–2007) in 1950.

John Cobb in his Napier LSR car

LINKS

Loch Ness Project Cobb's_Crusader_found

Leslie Field on john_cobb

John_Cobb_racing_driver

http://www.lesliefield.com/personalities/john_cobb.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cobb_(racing_driver)

http://www.antiquetoyworld.com/auctions/only-known-example/

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