1908 Napier Type 23A 45HP

Montague Napier was the head of the precision engineering firm D. Napier & Son, which had been in business since 1908 and was located in Lambeth, South London. In 1900, Napier formed an agreement with Francis Edge for exclusive rights to sell all of the firm's motorcars they produced. To increase publicity, the cars were demonstrated in many racing events, various competitions, and endurance challenges. One of the more prominent challenges of the early 1900s was the Gordon Bennett Trophy race, which was run annually with each competing car representing their country of origin. Edge won the Trophy in 1902, making it the first British automobile racing triumph.

The success at the Gordon Bennett Trophy race surged demand for the Napier/Edge vehicles, and large production factories were quickly ascertained to help keep up with demand. The new facility was located at Acton, West London.

A six-cylinder version was introduced in 1904, though not the first to create a powerplant of this six, it was the first to make a six-cylinder engine a commercial success.

In 1907 Edge set his sights on capturing the World's 24-hour speed record. A team of three Napier 60hp cars were brought to Brooklands track and averaged 65.9 mph and set the record, which would last for eighteen years. The two other cars averaged 64.1 and 63.5 mph.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2007