The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (due to run from June 15-17, 2012) is the UK’s biggest celebration of power and speed and it remains a huge favourite with UK powerboaters. And this year, in addition to classic and modern race boats, there will also be four aero-engined cars, displacing a combined 135 litres and boasting more than 2,800hp.

Pageant of Power

The 46-litre, aero-engined BMW ‘Brutus’ (normally on display at the Auto & Technik Museum in Sinsheim, Germany) will be making a star appearance at the three-day Pageant as part of a weird and wonderful collection of cars that are powered by aeroplane engines. And it will be joined by a 23-litre Maybach Zeppelin (one of four celebrated 1920s English race cars believed to have inspired the creation of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’), as well as the 24-litre Napier-Bentley and the fearsome 42-litre Packard-Bentley (pictured).

James Hall, Event Director for the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, said: “Aero-engined cars are a rare breed, but these are some of the most fascinating and exhilarating machines people are ever likely to encounter. We can’t wait to see what the crowds make of these unique cars, as there is simply nothing else on the road that can match them for sheer drama.”