The Land Speed record for steam-powered cars has stood for 102 years, but a new attempt by a British team aims to eclipse the 127.659mph record set in 1906 by Fred Marriot driving the Stanley Steamer.
Speed week, at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the States, will be the venue for the record attempt this August and you wouldn't bet against the challengers either, as the team is headed up by the nephew of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu (of National Motor Museum fame) and Don Wales, the grandson of World Land Speed Record holder Sir Malcolm Campbell. Wales has plenty of speed record experience, albeit in electric cars.
Initial models and sketches of the new steam car illustrate a typically streamlined effort, with the steam turbine mounted longitudinally behind the driver. The target speed is 200mph.
Tuesday May 6