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BACK | | Britain falls in love with the motorcar
Britain makes the speed record its own |
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DESCRIPTION Railton Mobil Special Land Speed Record Car
MANUFACTURER Thomson & Taylor, Brooklands, Britain
INVENTOR/DESIGNER Reid A. Railton (1895-1972), British
DATE 1937
MATERIAL Steel, duraluminium, copper alloy, white metal alloy, rubber, paint, transfer, textile, plastic, foam.
DIMENSIONS 2400x10700x1280
PROVENANCE 1937-1953:In possession of John Cobb's family; 1953-1955: Dunlop Rubber Company Ltd; 1955: Gift from Dunlop Rubber Company Ltd
LOCATION Thinktank
CAT. NO 1955.S.00519 | |
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The Railton Mobil Special Land Speed Record Car | © Thinktank Trust | Come and see it in the Move It gallery at Thinktank
Well-established motor industries helped French and American drivers set most of the early Land Speed Records. This soon changed as Britain’s motor industry gained strength.
Daredevil Brits like Malcom Campbell and Henry Seagrave became household names by being the fastest men on Earth. From September 1924 the record remained in British hands for 40 years, except for one 11-month period. With this car, designed by Reid Railton, John Cobb held the record for 17 years. Britain still holds the record with a speed of 766 mph set by Andy Green in 1997. MORE |
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