Speed has long been a defining feature of automobile culture, especially among car enthusiasts who crave performance and power. While modern sports cars offer impressive acceleration and top speeds, there exists a stark contrast between mass-produced vehicles and the custom-built land speed record cars, crafted with precision for ultimate performance. Throughout history, engineers and visionaries have relentlessly pursued faster speeds, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in automotive design. In this article, we explore the ten fastest cars ever made, based on their record-breaking land speeds.
1. The Golden Arrow – 231.446 mph
The journey to record-breaking speeds began long ago with Major Henry Segrave’s drive of the Golden Arrow in 1929. This vehicle, officially named the Irving-Napier Special, was powered by a Napier W12 Aero-engine, which was typically used in seaplanes. Segrave had previously set a land speed record in 1927, only for it to be broken by two others in 1928. Determined to reclaim his title, Segrave drove the Golden Arrow at a top speed of 231.446 mph, surpassing the previous record by 24 mph, a remarkable achievement at the time.
2. Blue Bird – 253.97 mph
Famed British driver Malcolm Campbell sought to push the boundaries of speed with his car, Blue Bird. Inspired by the play “The Blue Bird of Happiness,” Campbell made several modifications to the car, including repositioning the radiator and transmission and seating himself alongside the propeller shaft. In Daytona, Florida, Campbell achieved a top speed of 253.97 mph, breaking his previous record of 246.09 mph at the same location. This marked an important milestone, but Campbell would go on to raise the record even higher to 272 mph with a newer iteration of the Blue Bird.
3. Thunderbolt – 311.42 mph
Captain Eyston’s Thunderbolt achieved a groundbreaking speed of 311.42 mph in 1937 on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. This massive eight-wheeled vehicle, weighing seven tons, was powered by two Rolls-Royce engines. Eyston’s achievement was short-lived as a malfunction in the timing equipment led to an inaccurate measurement, but he quickly broke the record again, clocking in at 345.49 mph. Witnesses were astounded by the sight of the Thunderbolt, which appeared to be a racing flame as it roared across the salt flats.
4. The Railton – 350.2 mph
The Railton Mobil Special, driven by John Cobb in 1938, was designed by Reid Railton and represented the cutting edge of aerodynamics and engineering. Fitted with two supercharged Napier Lion aircraft engines, the Railton broke the land speed record with a speed of 350.2 mph. Over the following months, the Thunderbolt and Railton would engage in a back-and-forth battle for the title, with Cobb eventually setting the record at 369.74 mph, further cementing the Bonneville Salt Flats as the go-to location for land speed records.
5. Spirit of America – 407.447 mph
The first modern jet-propelled land speed record was set by Craig Breedlove in 1963 with the Spirit of America. This sleek, three-wheeled vehicle was powered by a General Electric J47 turbojet engine, originally sourced from a military F-86 aircraft. Breedlove’s record of 407.447 mph marked the beginning of a new era in speed records. While the three-wheeled design was controversial, the car’s jet engine allowed it to surpass previous records, and its achievement was officially recognized by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
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6. The Green Monster – 434.03 mph
Art Arfons, a highly skilled drag racer, set a land speed record of 434.03 mph with his creation, The Green Monster. This powerful vehicle was equipped with a General Electric J79 engine taken from an F-104 fighter jet. Its remarkable speed brought both triumph and challenges, as Arfons pushed the car to 536 and 576 mph in the same weekend, only to be forced to stop due to a blown tire. Despite these obstacles, the Green Monster established a significant milestone in the ongoing quest for higher land speed records.
7. The Spirit of America-Sonic 1 – 555.485 mph
In a battle for supremacy, Craig Breedlove’s Spirit of America-Sonic 1 made a triumphant return to the land speed record scene. Equipped with a more powerful General Electric J79 engine from an F-4 Phantom II, the vehicle achieved a top speed of 555.485 mph, surpassing Arfons’ Green Monster. This rivalry between Breedlove and Arfons pushed both men to new heights of innovation, with Breedlove continuing to break records, eventually reaching 600.601 mph in 1965, a mark that would stand for 15 years.
8. The Blue Flame – 630.478 mph
The Blue Flame, driven by Gary Gabelich, made history on October 23, 1970, with a remarkable speed of 630.478 mph. This was a significant leap over Breedlove’s previous record with the Spirit of America-Sonic 1. The Blue Flame was powered by a regeneratively cooled liquid-propellent engine, capable of using a single or dual propellant. The vehicle’s design featured a semi-monocoque aluminum structure and tubular nose sections, enabling it to slice through the air with unparalleled speed at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
9. Thrust2 – 634.051 mph
Thrust2, developed by British engineer John Ackroyd, became the second fastest car ever made when it achieved an average speed of 634.051 mph. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Avon jet engine, originally used in military planes, the Thrust2 was a formidable rival to the Blue Flame. The car’s design and engineering were a direct result of Ackroyd’s determination to bring the land speed record back to Britain. Thrust2 succeeded in doing so at the Black Rock Desert in Reno, Nevada, where it broke multiple speed records and cemented its place in history.
10. Thrust SSC – 760.343 mph
The Thrust SSC, an evolution of Thrust2, ultimately became the fastest car ever made. This British jet car, developed by Richard Noble and driven by RAF pilot Andy Green, set a record of 760.343 mph, making it the first vehicle to break the sound barrier on land. The Thrust SSC used two Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines, similar to those found in military aircraft. Driven across the Black Rock Desert, this monumental achievement not only shattered previous records but also marked the beginning of a new era for land speed records, revolutionizing the way speeds were measured.
The pursuit of speed in automobiles is more than just about performance; it’s about breaking boundaries and achieving the unimaginable. Over the decades, drivers and engineers have created vehicles that have redefined what is possible, with each record-breaking car pushing the limits further. From early achievements like the Golden Arrow to the modern triumph of the Thrust SSC, these cars represent the epitome of human ingenuity and the relentless quest for speed. With each new milestone, the future of high-speed automobiles continues to unfold, inspiring future generations to chase records of their own.
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