Trivia Quest...What's the 1st car speed over 200?

[jfslenes]

I haven't done the research but suspect I listened to the brittish gent's royal name on the TV bonneville show. Any takers?

 

[aeronca65t]

OK, I swear I didn't Google this.

My guess is Sir Malcom Cambell....probably in the "Bluebird", which was built by Sunbeam.

And isn't this the car that was buried in a beach for many years? (or am I thinking of another car?)

 

[sunbeammadd]

It was Sir Henry Segrave in the 1000hp Sunbeam "Slug" (the 1000hp was a bit optimistic though).

The one buried at Pendine Sands was Parry Thomas' "Babs".

The first Bluebird was indeed a Sunbeam. Campbell built it from a Sunbeam record breaker that had previously been used by Kenelm Lee Guiness.

Top to bottom - Campbell's Bluebird, Segrave's Sunbeam Tiger, Babs and the 1000hp Sunbeam:

 

[Tullamore]

Where were those pictures taken?

 

[sunbeammadd]

That's at the National Motor Museum (Beaulieu). Babs and the Tiger aren't normally on display there, but Donald Campbell's Bluebird was out on loan and they were filling the spot.

 

[jfslenes]

I had no idea that tiny trivia q would illicit such great data and photos! Thanks to all.

What stimulated the post was a show about Bonneville that included a fellow with a Tiger clone who is working towards resetting the Sunbeam speed racord. In the first visit to the flats, one has to "qualify". First run around 125. Then qualify at 150. This fellow's turbo'd 302 ran 140 something and broke prior to a top speed attempt.

He's from Nevada near Las Vegas. Hope he makes it this year.