Brooklands Museum recently offered an exclusive, intimate tour of one of the most iconic cars in motorsport history: the Napier-Railton. Known as the fastest car to ever lap the Brooklands Outer Circuit, the Napier-Railton remains a living piece of automotive legend, and this experience gave just five lucky participants a rare, hands-on encounter with the machine and its history.
The day began in the atmospheric Members’ Bar of the original Brooklands Clubhouse, where participants were greeted with expertly made flat white coffees. Here, tour guide Nick introduced the group and set the scene with an in-depth presentation on Brooklands Museum and the Napier-Railton itself, highlighting its extraordinary achievements on the track.
From there, the group moved to the ERA Shed for a 45-minute technical tour of the car. Up close, the sheer scale of the Napier Lion aero engine, coupled with the elegant lines of Reid Railton’s chassis design, makes clear why this car was built to dominate Brooklands. As Nick explained, the Napier-Railton was commissioned by wealthy racing driver John Cobb in 1933, specifically to race at Brooklands and break world endurance records. In 1935, it set the fastest lap of the Outer Circuit at 143.44 mph—a record that stands to this day.
The car’s racing career was remarkable: it won multiple high-profile races, set world endurance records, and made headlines in 1949 when it was hired for the film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, starring James Mason. Later, the car took on an unusual role testing aircraft braking parachutes for the GQ Parachute Company. Its life after the track was no less fascinating, eventually passing through private collectors before returning to Brooklands Museum in the 1990s, thanks to a chance discovery under a tarpaulin in Switzerland.
Next came the truly exclusive part of the tour: a visit to the museum archives with Collections Manager Lisa Oxborough. Here, participants explored the original Thomson & Taylor blueprints for the Napier-Railton—unique, one-of-a-kind documents showing every intricate detail of the car’s design. Lisa explained, “We have an incredible team of volunteers and staff who really take pride in looking after it… Keeping it moving is something we really pride ourselves on.” Regular maintenance checks ensure that the car runs smoothly, with the engine tested a couple of times a year to prevent seizing.
The archives reveal the Napier-Railton’s full, varied life. Among the most exciting discoveries were rare photographs capturing the car in action—on the track, during parachute testing, and even behind the scenes during its construction. Lisa noted that these materials have helped refine the museum’s understanding of the car’s post-war history, including its journey through private collectors before returning home to Brooklands in 1997.
One participant reflected on the experience: “Seeing the original blueprints was incredible. You realise that this roaring, thunderous beast started as a quiet, precise drawing. It suddenly felt less like a car and more like a piece of ambitious architecture, designed with a slide rule and a lot of courage.”
For motorsport enthusiasts, the Napier-Railton is more than just a car—it is a testament to engineering ingenuity, daring ambition, and the golden age of British motorsport. And thanks
to Brooklands Museum, a lucky few get the chance to step behind the scenes and experience that legacy firsthand.
The Napier-Railton tour is just one of several exclusive Behind the Scenes experiences at Brooklands Museum. Guests can explore a range of fascinating collection items, including:Rudge V-Twin Motorcycle ,Delage 15-S-8 and the AKD Motorcycle
Details of these tours, availability, and how to book can be found on the Brooklands Museum website’s dedicated Behind the Scenes Tours page: brooklandsmuseum.com
