The First Car to Exceed 100 mph in America

The 1904 Napier returns to its record-breaking location in Florida over one hundred years later

AMELIA ISLAND, FL – February 7, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) –  The 1904 Napier Samson L48 will make a triumphant return to Florida, the very place where this powerful engine historically shattered the 100 miles per hour record on American soil 117 years ago. This iconic automobile, renowned for its rich racing history, will make its grand reveal at Ormond-Daytona Beach on February 10, in advance of the Bonhams|Cars Amelia Island Auction on February 29, where it is expected to fetch between $900,000 – 1,100,000.

1904 Napier Samson L48 at Ormond Beach in 1905.

In the early 20th century, the annual auto races at Ormond and Daytona Beaches attracted the era’s finest and bravest drivers. These pioneers pushed the boundaries of speed and engineering. In 1905, British firm Napier, intrigued by the potential of these contests, shipped their revolutionary six-cylinder race engine to Florida. Arthur Macdonald, a British mechanician, made history on January 25, 1905, by setting a world record of 104.651 mph.

1904 Napier Samson L48, with Walter Thomas Clifford Earp in 1906.

The following year, Walter Thomas Clifford Earp, known as “England’s Leading Gentleman Driver,” took the helm of the Napier at these same beaches. Though Earp could not match the speeds of newer entrants, it was the performance of this combination of man and machine that became legend during the 100-mile race. Despite a tire explosion and racing part of the distance on a rim, Earp clinched victory by a mere 50 seconds, setting a new 100-mile world record and igniting “pandemonium” among the spectators. This victory was so inspiring that motoring historian Dick Punnett titled his book on these tournaments “Racing on the Rim.” Another feat was achieved in 1906, when Dorothy Levitt set the Women’s World Land Speed Record driving the car, which remained unsurpassed by any other woman until 1963.

Years passed, and the Napier, eclipsed by newer models, was disassembled. Its engine, once a marvel, was forgotten in a factory. That is until engineer Alan Hawker ‘Bob’ Chamberlain recognized its significance. Chamberlain embarked on an extensive research and restoration project, successfully reviving the world’s first successful six-cylinder racing engine. In July 1982, the rebuilt engine roared to life after 67 years, outperforming even Chamberlain’s expectations….