I have an unnatural fascination with early, large displacement, giant race cars. The sounds, the smells, the aura of power that fills the air around the heaving beasts that once dominated the tracks and broke record after record. It's electric. Take this 1921 Napier "Blue Bird" for example. Powered by a 24 liter, 12 cylinder Napier "Lion" engine. It's reported that the car could smoke its tires at 80mph. The 0-60mph dash had been achieved in approximately 6 seconds (in 3rd gear!) 'resulting in the need for new tires', while the owner reported that, on the current gearing, the car will 'accelerate in a relentlessly linear fashion to around 120mph'. What a beast!!! I mean... just look at this behemoth!!! I have less than dry dreams about this thing. But, anyway, what's your favorite racing leviathan? Post 'em up! Lets see 'em!
After watching the incredible build, of this kick ass one of a kind machine built by @Drmalacarne , this one is my favorite!
I've seen a video of that thing and boy-o-boy does it make some angry sounding fire out the pipes. Incredible! Okay... that last one looks like some sort of early batmobile! LOVE IT!!!
I read an article about these amazing beasts. After the great war, there were many surplus engines lying around so the idle creative minds went to work and built these amazing race cars.
GREAT VIDEO! Here's a link to The Fiery Beast of Turin video: Titillating is the only word I can come up with right now.
Tremendous noises. I can't say for sure, but I think we've stumbled upon the cure for ED. Anyway, thanks to the video you posted, I found another cool video in the links.
Ooooh. Land speed record cars count as race cars, so... I stole these pics from an old thread on here. The Sunbeam. Almost 24 feet long, two engines, 22,444cc EACH, 1000hp, and the first car in the world to break 200mph... at Daytona.
The Beast Of Turin makes me want a really old vintage race car!!! Problem is I don't think my retirement nest egg is nearly large enough. Lynn
You and me, both!!! Judging from the videos, it seems like you have to be a member of the British aristocracy with endless access to vast amounts of cash to play that game.
This thread got me nosing around the web. I found this about the Beast on Wikipedia. “In 2019 the Italian authorities started an investigation, as they have ascertained that the S76 engine mounted on the "Beast of Turin" was originally kept in the "Antonio Capetti Collection" of the Polytechnic of Turin: the power unit was loaned to Mr. Pittaway in charge of research and restoration, but the “Collection” discovered after some years that they had been returned with a non-functional replica block.[5]” Mr. Pittaway was the restorer. Wow, I have no idea if it’s true. The quote referenced MSN news 1921. I’m sure more is to come if true.
How can this thread exist with out at least a few images of some of Mr. Arfon's cars? Green Monster 5 The 576 mph Green Monster
Art was THE STUFF. When I was a grade schooler I was nuts about airplanes and cars, so when Arfons and Breedlove were going at it hammer and tongs out on the salt setting and re-setting the record that's when I fell in love with land speed racing. I would read stories in the newspaper and dream about going there. Finally made it out there in 1998 for the 50th Speedweek. I guess salt racing was the first kind of racing I was aware of. Dad picked up on my enthusiasm and built a couple go-karts to go racing with and I've been hooked ever since.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Count Zboronski builder/driver of the Original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang February 20, 1895
Them early cars are very cool but if Arfons car are going to get mentioned, then I'm going to add one of my favorite big cubic inch race cars....Big Al... Best one being the earliest, when it was I believe still steel body, of core the Fiat was pretty wild also
Art's cars make me smile every time. If aero-engined monsters are allowed, I'm in. Aussie version of Big Al: Thunderball. 1948 GM Holden... and some Merlin bits \ Cheers, Harv
The Jalopy Journal
