Napier ‘40/50’ limousine motor car. Built in 1921 by D. Napier and Son in London, this luxury car has a six-cylinder engine with a capacity of six litres. The limousine body was built by coachbuilders Maythorn & Son.

D Napier and Son built their first motor car in 1900 but their attention turned to the design and manufacture of aero engines during World War One. This experience was put to use in the design of the Napier 40/50, which first appeared in 1919. However, the 40/50 was to be the company’s final car model and in 1924 they ceased car production as their focus switched to aero engines.

The Napier 40/50 was a luxury car created to compete with the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost car. The spacious limousine body of this vehicle was designed to allow passengers to walk in and out without a lady disarranging her Ascot hat or a gentleman removing his top hat. The model was also amazingly resilient. This particular car was a victim of the Blitz: it had to be dug out of rubble and two feet of water but still started up without hesitation. Despite their robust nature, very few of the 187 Napier 40/50s sold still exist today.