6 Mental Aero-Engined Cars

‘Aero-engines’ are designed for aircraft use; however there have been many cars over the years that have been fitted with these engines. The motorsport industry made use of cheap engines left over after the war to aid the development. Here are six quite outrageous cars built from the old scraps of aircraft!

1. Brutus


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After the conclusion of World War I, Germany was forced to disarm – this ultimately meant that there were several stray plane engines lying around. Possibly an initial experiment through the post-war draught, in 1925 one of these engines made its way into the hands of BMW. They then ‘placed’ it into a 1908 American - LaFrance chassis; with the intentions of it to become a racer. With the 12-cylinder, 46-litre engine and fierce appearance; it was christened – Brutus. With a fantastic noise and flame engine, the Brutus will devour 6.5 gallons of fuel over 1.2-miles and exhale 28,000km of C02!

2. Bentley (Spitfire Engine)


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This Bentley has been labelled the quintessential British car. With its retro design containing a 27-litre derivation of the Merlin unit that once propelled the Lancaster bombers and Spitfires! This is a vehicle that requires ultimate precision and technique to control its powerful nature.

3. John Dodd's Beast


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This car was once the most powerful car on the road; with its 27-litre Merlin-engine that weighs just a little off a ton. Along with the lack of power-steering this vehicle obviously causing high risks, this car has been known to reach 260mph; and comfortable sit at 200mph! The ‘Beast’, owned by American John Dodd, who when once driving his legendary car had the tyre completely disintegrate at 150mph. Along with the 26 gallon tank diminished after only 100 mile, despite the power it requires a lot of care!

4. Jay Leno's Hispano Suiza


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This 1915 aero engine car used the engines out of allied aircrafts during the First World War. The engine was made in Spain and supplied to a vast amount of planes across Europe. Once the car had been built, and the decaying elements that usually go under the bonnet, spark leads and valve springs etc., the car the ran a fifty hour test in France – where it received outstanding results.

5. Ron Patrick's General Electric T58-8F Powered Beetle


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A bizarre creation is the adaptation of the classical loved Beetle. This surprisingly legal jet car explodes ‘jet flames’ out of the rear. The car has two engines, the standard fuel engine resides at the front of the car, steering the front two wheels. The jet engine therefore manoeuvres the back wheels. The structure holding the engine has been designed using strong element analysis and is strong, damage tolerant, and light.

6. Mephistopheles - Ernest Eldrige


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This was the car that saw Ernest Eldrige take the land speed record title of 146mph back in 1924. The A-12 to Mephistopheles engine first fitted in 1922, despite the engine being too large, the car was extended using sections from a London bus. With four carburettors and four magnetos; this aided the liberating 320bhp at 1,800rpm!

Despite these cars not being overly practical, reliable or efficient, they are timeless classics of invention and creation matching human’s greed for speed and power.

Thanks to Ladbrokes for contributing these 6 mental aero-engined cars.