John Dodd didn't invest his insurance money in property that would be far to sensible however he built himself a machine that gave him happiness right up to the end of his day's. What a legend 👏

@tonyclough9844

Жыл бұрын

Has he died

@robmk3

Жыл бұрын

@@tonyclough9844 yes back before Christmas that's why it's going up for auction

@Emira_75

Жыл бұрын

​@@tonyclough9844 wow bet your fun at parties, he literally refered to his death in the comment as well

@MONKEY_BEAM

Жыл бұрын

"he didn't invest his money in property" my dude built a one-of-a-kind monster machine that got into the Guinness world records, it's gotta be worth something

@harryfp1494

Жыл бұрын

@@MONKEY_BEAMthis thing should bring 150k imo it’s a incredible machine

In the 70's John lived not too far from me and was a fairly regular sight on the road, his son was right he did drive that car fast, the sight and sound of it never failed to stop me in my tracks to watch it go by. On one occasion John was driving the car down Winkworth road and as he Crested the rise before the traffic lights saw them change from green to amber, he started to brake and then changed his mind flooring the pedal the car went into hyper drive and was through the lights before they had finished changing a distance of at least two hundred and fifty yards. On another occasion I watched him trying to park the thing outside the Chinese restaurant on Banstead High street the local Rolls Royce owners club were having a do. After struggling for several minutes and getting nowhere wound the window down and yelled at us " What the bloody hell are you looking at". of course we should have yelled back that's bloody obvious but being callow youths we just shuffled off to the pub.

@victory2115

Жыл бұрын

I recall reading about this car many years ago, but seem to remember it being red.

@kiesh.

Жыл бұрын

​@@victory2115 they say at the start the red one caught fire 🔥

@davidprocter3578

Жыл бұрын

@@victory2115 I don't remember it being red, I could be wrong but dark blue and black comes to mind, not seen the body work thats on it now, it used to look more like a mk3 zodiac with a roller grill up front last I saw of it was mid to late seventies sat on a trailer outside his house.

@gmotuel

Жыл бұрын

@@davidprocter3578 it was red before beige

@davidprocter3578

Жыл бұрын

@@gmotuel It may well have been last time I saw it was probably 1977 or 8 I think,,certainly 76.and it had not been mobile in a couple of years. I can not atestify to its colour after the rebuild and my memory is not photographic as to the cars exact shading prior to the fire.I seem to remember it as being a work in progress. but that is what fifty years does to a memory.

Thank you all for your kind comments. A day with my father was always an adventure, you just did not know what would happen next. We hope the Beast will be kept in the UK and used.

@davidhansen6788

Жыл бұрын

Has this beautiful beast ever been on the Dyno?!?

@daviddodd8248

Жыл бұрын

Whats dyno

@nemesis2264

Жыл бұрын

@@daviddodd8248A dynamometer or "dyno" for short, is a device for simultaneously measuring the torque and rotational speed (RPM) of an engine, motor or other rotating prime mover so that its instantaneous power may be calculated, and usually displayed by the dynamometer itself as kW or bhp.

@davidb6576

Жыл бұрын

I would be eager to read a book about your father's life, it seems to rival Baron Munchausen's for the mix of myth and fact. Is there any chance of the family putting pen to paper (I guess fingers to keyboard now) and producing such a work?

John Dodd was a really ni e man and great story teller, he had a auto gearbox specialist workshop that my parents used in malaga, when the car was ready John personally delivered the car back to us and stayed for a couple of hours just telling us stories about his life, really interesting man and a sad loss

Had the pleasure of meeting John & The Beast, back in the early 90's at a Chelsea cruise. Such a character. A charming man, I could listen to for hours. So sad he's now gone. I feel privileged to have been able to sit in this amazing car back then alongside John. The car, is one thing. But what evoques so much love about that car -- by millions of us that have a passion for engineering-- is the the man behind it all. God bless yer, JD. You'll always be, one of my favourite people.

Was not aware John had passed away so sad to hear that news. What a legacy though. I remember growing up and hearing stories about this car. Some I guess true, some not. :) I hope it remains in the UK and not just stuck in a museum somewhere. It's a living breathing thing and needs to be used.

@daviddodd8248

Жыл бұрын

Fingers crossed we hope so I father would want that

I've waited 40yrs for this video - Proper detail! Will look to see where it ends up next!

@peterallam6494

Жыл бұрын

04/ 3 23, Imagine Clarkson buying it ! Theoretically it's ULEZ compliant. Could shadow The Mayor's entourage around The Capital with Union Jacks on front wings !

You can see the pain in the son's face as Steve Berry lauds praise upon his dad who no doubt neglected him. 😪

Icon, I remember this back in the day and so glad to see it is still around. Guy Martin would be a perfect new owner for this !

@davebeat

Жыл бұрын

Oh yes. I'd love for Guy to win the auction.

@mariemccann5895

Жыл бұрын

It's a pile of scrap man!

@Captain_Lockheed

Жыл бұрын

​@@mariemccann5895 Pfft!

@spike7038

Жыл бұрын

@@mariemccann5895 that’s a bit harsh given how much passion went into it……but like they say about opinions…

@terencebernard2337

Жыл бұрын

Maybe jay Leno

John Dodd - Legend! The Beast - Legend! Steve Berry - Legend! Chris Pollitt - Legend! Thanks Guys!

@jamesportrais3946

Жыл бұрын

Nice to see Steve after all these years looking very distinguished - his voice & character haven't changed in the slightest.

@craigalexander485

Жыл бұрын

John Britten - Legend!

@OneHappyCrazyPerson

Жыл бұрын

Cleetus. Steve Morris those are some real names

@mariemccann5895

Жыл бұрын

Fo rsh - Jerk.

@epiccowboymemes2042

Жыл бұрын

Barack Obama - NI...

Fantastic insight into a legend, I think his family need to write a book on their fathers adventures, would make fascinating reading, also was great to see Steve back in front of the camera 👍 I hope this car goes to a respectful new owner as it deserves to be preserved as is 😊

@forsh3546

Жыл бұрын

Would make a great film and, with that 'tash,Steve Berry Cast as the suave English eccentric!

@warrenwilson720

Жыл бұрын

I definitely think Jay Leno is going to be going after this car! This beautiful piece of machinery is right up his alley!

@daviddodd8248

Жыл бұрын

My father did meet him and they spent a lot of time walking round his car collection j was great

@warrenwilson720

Жыл бұрын

@@daviddodd8248 that's awesome! I would love to get to go through Jay Leno's car collection with him and just listen to it all the stories! I'm a huge car nut that wishes he had a vast fortune so I could indulge myself lol

@davidb6576

Жыл бұрын

I just posted a similar comment, scroll down a bit and here's yours - yes, a book is needed!

he was trying to sell my boss this all last year. spoke to him on the phone a couple of times a month and he was always full of amazing stories. such a loss to the classics community and a legend!

@Neilukuk

Жыл бұрын

He was trying to sell the car?

What a legendary car! Hope it goes to a home that appreciates what it means to own the beast, and shares its future with us

This is not a car, this is just a thing to carry the engine around

Fantastic car built by an astounding man I hope this gets brought by someone that will appreciate the effort he put in

@ianpearce5745

7 ай бұрын

Someone in the Surrey area has purchased it I saw it parked in Tilford.

What an amazing car I've always been fanscintated by. Please someone 3D scan this so we can all enjoy it in games like Forza and Gran Turismo!

@davidriddell5294

Жыл бұрын

Yes! Yes! Yes!!! Add this to Forza, etc!!!

@davidriddell5294

Жыл бұрын

@Harrison Ashley thx man!! Solid move , owe you one!

Steve still has his chronic interrupting problem.

@eliotmansfield

Жыл бұрын

Aye

@LucienHughes

2 ай бұрын

Thought I was the only one thinking this, insufferable! We missed out on so many anecdotes and extra bits of information for him to randomly state facts about himself.

Puts a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart to hear it start and run.

Would love to see the new owner take it up Santa Pod for John! Truly a legendary car and owner!

I've just looked at the MOT history, and had to laugh at the comment from April 2011 - Advisory item - "Exhaust noisy"!

"Is it running? I can't tell." Said no one ever. lol

The look of this mad car is always a talking point, but to me it doesn't matter if you or anyone else likes how it looks. Because it looks exactly how it's creator wanted it to, no more, no less. Secondly I love the start up, from the minutes reading the instructions "anonymous switch seven: on for 5 seconds, then off again" !! To the near literal explosion of sound when it does start (another video: the Beast of Turin, a 28? Litre fiat racing car from the 1920s? = A similar" moment as that also explodes into life) Wonderful, completely mad, but wonderful!

@NEEDbacon

Жыл бұрын

Well, maybe not quite how he wanted. It originally had a Rolls Royce grille where the JD is. Rolls got annoyed at people asking "when are you going to start selling that massive Station Wagon" and found out about The Beast was running around with the Spirit of Elegance at the front. They sued John over it and he lost and had to change the front. Fun fact: during the trial, the judge accused John Dodd as being "Caviler". So instead of showing up in The Beast like usual, he showed up on a horse. Edit: they cover this in the video.

@matthewblundell9119

Жыл бұрын

@@NEEDbacon I heard a different myth! The one I heard was Rolls Royce were contacted along the lines of "would you please refrain from such high speed testing of your new model on our Autobahns?" By German police - there was no testing being done, it was John bombing about in The Beast 🙂 Heard a little on the court case (and as you say a little mention of it and the cavalier on his white horse in the video)

@davidsboogienightseventsdo329

Жыл бұрын

Hi Yes it is quiet an experience and it takes a little time to get used to it. However, great fun.

I'm quite sure I saw the car in a garage somewhere around Malaga. Just had a peak in a garage. I'm from Sweden myself and our old king was very much interested in everything car.

This was so good I've watched it twice. Steve Berry needs to be on tv or youtube more, enjoy his presenting style and enthusiasm

@andyb3666

Жыл бұрын

I loved the old TG as a kid, my mates only started watching it after the '01 revamp. Remember Steve and the rest of the crew very well.

John Dodd was a legend in his own lifetime, I remember tales of his incredible car when I lived near Epsom. Very sad that he is no longer and even sadder that The Beast is not staying with the family.

"unapologetic in its brashness". indeed. as an american this car is the image of england i choose to embrace and hope it never completely goes away in this new age we have brought upon our selves.

@damonrobus-clarke533

Жыл бұрын

You and me both!!

@mariemccann5895

Жыл бұрын

It's the case of the English trying to lampoon Americans but not actually grasping the point and producing this pointless heap of trash.

I could watch these two blokes ramble about a truely British original all day long. The stories about J.D. brought tears to my eyes - because of all the laughter & giggling... 😂😂😁😁🤟🤟

@daviddodd8248

Жыл бұрын

Thank that was just the tip of the iceberg glad you liked it.

Wonderful machine aside. How good is it to hear Steve Berry again

@daviddodd8248

Жыл бұрын

He was great and so interested in the car

Clicked like before even starting, well done for getting a proper vid of this car done. I have watched all the vids in Spain that Johns daughter posted on youtube. Awesome

Can't believe I'm only now just finding out about all this. We first met John in early 1980 and he was going to come over for Xmas dinner in 2021, but the Spanish rain caused a power cut, so no turkey... An encyclopedia of automotive knowledge, he had so many amazing, true stories, adventures & escapades, and yet, despite all that, carried an even greater sense of everyday, regular realness. By far, he was the leading, inspirational exponent of a certain humble something that was so prevalent amongst his pre-war generation that Made Britain Great Again in those post-war years; something pricelessly, magically British that's since been drowned out as throughly as Excalibur in the lake... All this while the Americans were making fantasy road movies like "Vanishing Point" - John was evading roadblocks on the motorways by going at 70MPH - in REVERSE... Calmly cataloging entries in his notepad like "Madrid - London : 10 Hours" Presumably including the fact that the channel crossing was done by ferry or hovercraft in those pre-channel tunnel days. The Beast truly was the Chariot, Sword & Holy Grail of the King of British automotive engineering. Rest In Peace, John.

John sounded like a really special one of a kind man, his car is just awesome. He was one hell of an engineer to solve the gearbox problem for this car. I could listen to story's of John's unique life for hour's. RIP 🙏 JOHN DODD 🙏 ❤

@daviddodd8248

Жыл бұрын

Thank you yes he was one of a kind

Great to see the beast again R.I.P John Dodd the car is a Legend!!!👌👌👌👌👌👌

Did he not live in Epsom. And I think it had a rolls grill but it had to be removed

Thank you so much for posting this :) I loved the first video. Thanks again

I own a 79 Pontiac Trans Am, and I had to stop the video for a second to be absolutely sure it was the same fender vents ^^

I don't know why and what but there is something to my taste undoubtedly cool in that machine... Looks like a movie car from an 80's futuristic sci-fi movie !

That has Guy Martin's name written all over it.

@Wasagoodyear-qf8wj

Жыл бұрын

My thoughts exactly, he would be the ideal next custodian of this car.

I remember Dodd from the 1950s, he had a garage on the Bromley to Sevenoaks road and he use to advertise in Exchange & Mart I think it was, 'I will fly anywhere and repair your automatic transmission'. I had no idea he was still alive until my son showed me and article about him fairly recently. Yes he was a legend.

Excellent video and to get Steve back too! Wonderful 👏

There’s a lot of criticism here about the car. Perhaps these people could tell us how many cars they’ve built. Let alone a Merlin engined car. That’s road registered. And has been driven to high mileage on the roads instead of being trailered to shows. We’ll wait.

@daviddodd8248

Жыл бұрын

Thank you it was great to drive

I saw The Beast in SW London (at the Krispy Kreme) just before Covid & heard it start up... I also remember either Autocar or Motor's article in the late 60s/early 70s that said "...I put it in gear and within a few seconds we were doing 70mph....in reverse!" 😂👍

Great video, amazing car built by an amazing man but I kept being distracted by visible camera crew.

Sad to hear about John Dodds passing, I do get the suspicion if there is an afterlife the guy is driving people mad with tinkering while he figures out his next big project.

This car was the stuff of myths and legend when I was a kid.

Sorry to hear of the loss to the Dodd family. John will always be a ledged to us rebellious type.

What a ruddy LEGEND John Dodd. Crazy eccentric oh so clever engineer. Arguably the last of the breed. By that I mean English engineers who carried on no matter what. Ruddy excellent video. Well done 👍👌👏

@donthomcsi

Жыл бұрын

Ruddy just seems like a T Roosevelt blast...

Was fortunate to see the original red beast as a child in the early 70s and my dad followed it briefly down the road in Croydon where we lived. I remember being totally fascinated by it and that it looked enormous and unlike any car I’d seen before.

I remember John and this car when I was a kid. The best tale was when passing through an Italian speed trap on the autostrada? the police knew something had gone through but it was so fast they couldn't identify it or the speed. Legend indeed.

i’m never complaining about my engine noise ever again!

RIP i saw the original at the pod in 73/74 i believe mustang front as said it caught fire amazing car

Could you imagine taking this on the school run? 😁 The looks you would get would be classic

Loved this! Well done to JD for building this magnificent vehicle and hope it goes well at auction. Just a thought for any potential owner in the U.K./London in particular... If it's older than 1979 (which it is!) is it not therefore ULEZ/Congestion Charge Exempt??!! 😁😆Now that would be a fun way to cock a snook. 😁😁

@johnburke5759

Жыл бұрын

Ulez exempt definitely but I guess it would be charged congestion fee

@UKfromadrone

Жыл бұрын

just register it as a minicab and it'll be congestion exempt as well ;D

@daviddodd8248

Жыл бұрын

​@ZakkuEmanyueru it is exempt as a classic car. My father registered it as a rolls royce

I REALLY WANT TO FILM THIS BEEN OBSESSED WITH THE CAR FOR 10 YEARS! It's the ultimate British car and RIP John Dodd!

Funny to see this as in 1974 I had caught the ferry from Gothenberg to the UK and when I landed I heard on the radio about the fire as otherwise he would have been on my ferry.

A testament to British engineering. Your Dad sounded a handful. Whatamachiiiinnneee.

So good to see Steve Berry again!

Such a incredible machine made by a incredible man R.I.P John you Legend

I didnt know John had passed away. What a legend he was, making a 27 litre v12 car.

Designer: What size dash to axle ratio should we have? John: Yes

Pure insanity!!! But crazy awesome fun!🤩🤩🤩

My grandfather helped to design and machine some of the ball bearings and accompanying components in the wheel hubs and steering assembly.... He passed away 10 years ago.....

Jay leno should be eyeing this for his garage he definitely has the funds to bring it back to its glory 🤔

I remember seeing this at Krispy Kreme in New Malden. The sound is unbelievable. And I'm sure the front grill is in a different post code from the windshield, it's that long

I’m just waiting now for the Hollywood producer ( could be British ) to make a feature film about the life of John Dodds . and his eccentricities . After listening to what his son said about his life this has got to be box office heaven I’d certainly pay a ticket at the cinema to watch it

Rest in peace to the great John Dodd. I enjoyed reading watching all about this car back in the day and the final drive you did with it in 2020. Rev that beast in heaven sir!

Thank the Lord for John Dodd. The world needs people like him.

memories...awesome. thanks for this

You always make top quality professional content, tremendous TV 👏👏👏

@mariemccann5895

Жыл бұрын

PMSL, love the irony.

I remember seeing that car on the news back when it was built

NGL I did NOT expect to see a "Summit Racing" sticker under the hood! Probably where he got the American parts from.

Hope the person who purchases it keeps up John's sense of eccentricity and takes this historic for a run through London to stick 2 fingers up to the ULEZ 🙂

Congrats to the seller & the publicity they managed to drum up, this thing has popped up everywhere.

This car is legendary, as is John Dodds. It will be bought by an enthusiast, I'm sure. It needs to be used and not put in a museum. Steve Berry, loved all the motorcycle stuff you did on Top Gear and the properly good Bolton (ish?), definitely Lancashire accent. Love and peace.

i knew john dodds quite well back in the day he used to buy his gearbox parts at our shop

I went to Ewell County Secondary School on Ruxley Lane and John used to be seen around epsom all the time. His son was at my school, in my year...

Amazing. Thx

i highly believe this is the inspiration for JP's car in the anime Redline

I'm in the US I remember seeing that car 25 years ago on TV was awesome then only better now. Sounds like your dad was a very smart man that didn't like being told he couldn't do something. All my vehicles are one-of-a-kind because I made it I ain't know exactly how he felt

Whoa! When did Steve Berry turn into Terry Thomas?

Bloody hell I'm showing my age, I remember Top Gear with William Woolard 🤣

Being honest, the car isn’t my thing. But the back story and history is out of this world. Also, we need to see more of Steve Berry. He has always been a superb motoring journalist with wonderful stories

For those that didn't know, fibre glass repaires which did the body, was owned by Bob Phelps, who also owned santa pod in the 70' and 80's

@mariemccann5895

Жыл бұрын

Not sure anyone actually cares bud.

My Dad met him and talked about this car with a rolls Royce Plane Engine as May dad Worked for Borg Warner's gearboxes back then.

Being in the presence of this car must be an absolute delight to the senses!

I well remember the first Merlin engines car that John Dodds built when he owned the Clock Garage at Pratts Bottom, I think that is the one that burned out. This should stay in UK.

At about 9 minutes in when he cranked her up it sounded terrible. Lol

I know you want it to stay in Britain but I think Jay Leno is the best home for The Beast, it will be treated right and lovingly maintained and kept completely to the vision that John intended. I remember seeing The Beast on that old Top Gear clip years and years ago, I couldn't believe it then but seeing it again in all its glory is beautiful. RIP John

Une pensée affectueuse pour John qui m'a donné un petit tour dans sa formidable voiture. J'ai croisé une légende et restera pour toujours un évènement exceptionnel avec une personne exceptionnelle.

Its a great shame that the car no longer has its Rolls Royce grill on the front it made it look like something out of Thunderbirds. You could imagine Parker driving Lady Penelope around in it with a couple of machine guns sticking out the front.

Great video. I must say that in the equestrian world the Clydesdale is the highest horsepower"Beast"you can get your hands on. It's also the most British as well if I'm not mistaken. Truly the best choice for the moment.

The family must write a John Dodd book of the fantastic stories.

Amazing! Saw the "Red car" back in the seventies @ Hot Rod Show in now legendary Marmorhallarna (Marble Halls) in Stockholm. Former Ford showroom, legendary car exhibit venue. Was the Showstopper back then! The tragic fire was after that very show. Also drooled over the same car in the Car mags back then. Deep Nostalgia, so glad to see Johns Magnum Opus #2 after all these years..... 😂🤩

a fantastic car built by a truly amazing man with tremendous history. he was one of those people who didnt take no for an answer, which is shown by the stories told in this video and the car. i only learned of it somewhat recently, but since then ive been obsessed. its one of the most unique cars in the entire world and has one of the best stories behind it. i hope whoever buys it will use it and keep it running, for many years to come. its a car that no billionares garage can be worthy of it just to sit and collect dust in. it wants to be driven. its creator would have wanted it to be driven. it deserves to be celebrated and honored for the sake of itself and the man who built it. it is, and he is, simply a legend, and legends never die. rest in peace John Dodd, a man who truly was the definition of a madman. a madman with a purpose. a purpose to build one of the craziest, unique, and in my opinion beautiful 4 wheeled vehicles to ever grace the face of this planet. you will be missed, but your masterpiece will live on in your memory.

@daviddodd8248

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this on behalf of my family it is a loss to us I hope the new owner will respect the car and show it off

Thats a pretty interesting car, they had so much work on that:) This car reminds me a modification in beamng game😄 So sad that hes no longer with us, Rest in Peace😔 Really hoping that the new owner will be good for this car ;) And respect the two front letters on the grille😊

Remember this car the custom car mag at school back in mid 70’s..

Simply brilliant.

It would be great if Brooklands bought this, put it on display and would take it out and start/run it like they do with the Napier Railton.

I noticed the air extractors that John used on the fenders are from a 2nd generation Pontiac Trans am

Whata Cool Desaign !,.

This looks like something I may have drawn when I was 12 years-old.

@RaspberryCai

Жыл бұрын

Which is why it's brilliant