Napier 40-50
Car : Napier 40-50
Year : 1922
Engine : 6 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke : 102×127 mm
Cylinder capacity : 6246 cc
Gears : 4 forward
Brake horse power : 82
Maximum speed : 70 mph
Wheelbase : 11 ft 5 ins (3.48 m)
Suspension : front: semi-elliptic leaf- springs; back: cantilever leaf- springs
The debate as to whether Montague Napier was the first to design a 6-cylinder in-line engine, or the engineers at the Dutch firm Spyker has gone on for many years. There is no doubt, however, that Spyker was the first to incorporate it in a car (1903), but, more than anyone else, Napier can take the credit for its spread in popularity.
The 40-50 was designed by A. J. Rowledge. The engine had overhead camshaft, removable head, and crankshaft mounted on 7 bearings, and developed 82 bhp at 2,000 revs. The engine block, head, and pistons were of aluminium alloy, a technique applied by Napier during the First World War to aircraft engines, including the famous 12-cylinder Lion, which was later used on land in attempts to break records. The Napier 40-50 , which after 1924 had brakes on all four wheels and balloon tires, was destined for an elite market, so no expense was spared in its construction.
The history of the company was, to begin with , closely linked with the name of Selwyn Francis Edge, one of the most outstanding figures in the English car world. A first-rate test-driver, Edge was also a good publicity man for Napier. The association of Edge with Napier ended in 1912.