You may remember this video we posted back in December of the monster 1,729 cubic inch Fiat land-speed-record engine nicknamed “The Beast Of Turin.”
In that video, the single-overhead-cam, 1,729 cubic-inch (28.5-liter) engine rumbled to life for the first time in over 100 years, and it’s back in today’s entry as the vehicle made recently made its maiden voyage – on Friday the 13th, no less – at Goodwood in preparation for the Goodwood Festival Of Speed in June.
With 290 horsepower at only 1,900 rpm, the engine is a serious piece of early 20th-century engineering. When we wrote the initial article, we were concerned that the double-chain gear-driven transmission might be one of the stumbling blocks for car builder Duncan Pittaway to figure out, as he had to recreate the transmission from scratch, but it appears that the original Fiat drawings gave him enough to work with.
Over 100 years ago, in December 1913, the car unofficially ran the highest top speed of the time at 132.27 mph, and it’s Pittaway’s goal to exceed that performance once the car’s dialed in.
The simple fact that this engine runs again is exciting, but to see the Fiat S.76 running down the road is nothing short of amazing. Sheer insanity, in fact.
From the push-start it requires, to the ear-shattering sounds the engine makes under power, to the smile on our faces watching these guys run the car through its paces, this is one video you need to check out.
We can’t imagine the local wildlife (or the neighbors) were too happy it’s back and making noise, but this is your must-see video of the week. Awesome!