Originally built in Belgium in 1907, the Métallurgique featured a 10-litre engine but was later modified to take a 1910 21-litre six-cylinder engine as used in the German Zeppelin airships.
The story behind the modification goes that the car was raced by American David Bruce-Brown who was unhappy that the promise of 100mph was not achieved. The car was then returned to manufacturer Métallurgique and the engine was changed to honour the pledge with the new engine developed to deliver 1,000lbs of torque at 1,000rpm.
It was eventually found abandoned in a shed in Brundall, Norfolk in April 1951 by avid collector Douglas Fitzpatrick who used it to compete in races at Brands Hatch, Bexhill and Silverstone, as well entering it for sprints and continental touring. Fitzpatrick went on to claim the FIA World Speed Record at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire on 19 October 1969; a record that continues to stand today.
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https://www.chateauimpneyhillclimb.com/blog/metallurgique-maybach-brian-moore/
The car is a one-off special with a long history. https://www.chateauimpneyhillclimb.com/blog/metallurgique-maybach-brian-moore/
ReplyDeleteA different version of the story in Motor Sport - with reference to more than one car - and probably more correct.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1965/26/maybach-mystery
A PROPER motor car !
ReplyDelete