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Posted

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Mickey Thompson testing the unfinished Challenger 1 at El Mirage Dry Lake, in 1958.

It was this car that eventually propelled him to become the first man to break the 402 MPH record set by John Cobb,

going 406.6 MPH at Bonneville, in 1962.

 

It was this record, not John Cobb's, that Donald Campbell wanted to break at Lake Eyre, in 1964, and didn't manage, reaching "only" 403.1 mph.

However, since Thompson's was "merely" an SCTA and not an official record, Campbell still made it into the history books and Thompson didn't.

Campbell was deeply disappointed, since his multi million pound industry backed effort never lived up to the expectations he had set in it

and - although unofficially - was outrun by a Californian hot rodder on a shoestring budget.

 

If you are interested in this kind of stuff, I urge you to read 'Bluebird and the Dead Lake' by John Pearson.

It's an account of the events at Lake Eyre by a man who was there himself!

  • Like 4
Posted

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The W100s used by the German government were in fact owned by Daimler-Benz AG and hired for the occasions.

Hence the civilian Stuttgart plates.

Posted

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I think this is the Shelby-American armada preparing for the 1966 24h. Judging by the line of Peugeots to the right, this must be somewhere near Le Mans.

I stand corrected if it isn't.

  • Like 1
Posted

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Dick Hutcherson and Ronnie Bucknum, who shared the #5 Holman & Moody GT40 and finished 12 laps down in third place.

Their's was the only 100% American GT40 entry at the 1966 Le Mans.

  • Like 1
Posted

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This is the gang of nerds that beat Enzo Ferrari at Le Mans.

L to R Ken Miles, Carroll Shelby, Lloyd Ruby, Leo Beebe, head of Ford's racing programs, and Shelby American's Ford liaison, Ray Geddes.

  • Like 1
Posted

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‘Strip-Teaser’, a twin-engined 2T Villiers sprinter motorcycle, Santa Pod, 1967.

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Posted

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Unknown Triumph motorcycle DCS2 at the same venue. The guy about to mount it is impeccably attired for the occasion,

much unlike the Ton-Up Tonys in the background.

  • Like 2
Posted

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While those wobblers James Dean and Brando get all the press about riding bikes in the 1940s and 50s,

character actor Keenan Wynn actually raced motorcycles (as did Howard Hawks).

Here Wynn (with cigar) fills up for his riding pals.

Posted

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McQueen at the Bullitt set. Contrary to popular folklore, it was Bud Ekins who did most of the stunt driving, not McQueen.

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Posted

Is it Enzo?

 

 Enzo was grey haired by then. The guy's clearly wearing a "presse" pass in this one...and from this angle it's definitely not Enzo.

carroll-shelby-1966-lemans.jpg

With thanks to onlymustangfords.com

Posted

Signore Ferrari was a militant non smoker.
 
Here he is with Niki Lauda and Rolex chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.
 
Enzo-Ferrari-with-Nikki-Lauda-and-Luca-i

Posted

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Fred Lorenzen pitting the Holman & Moody Galaxie during the 1962 Daytona 500.

Racing was done in dockers and t-shirt back then.

  • Like 2

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