Railton Special
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Railton Special, also known as the Railton Mobil Special, is a one-off motor vehicle built for John Cobb's successful attempts at the land speed record. Powered by 2 supercharged W12-block Napier Lion V11D (WD) aircraft engines, it was the first ground vehicle to break 400 mph in a measured test. On September 16, 1947 John Cobb averaged 394.19mph over the measured mile in both directions to take the world land speed record.
It weighed over 3 tonnes and was 28' 8" long, 8' wide and 4'3" high. The front wheels were 5'6" apart and the rear 3'6". It was designed by Reid Railton and is currently on display at the Thinktank museum in Birmingham, England.
[edit] External links
- The fastest car in the world Birmingham Stories website
[edit] References
- Railton Mobil Special Thrust SCC website
- Press release - Railton Mobil Special Thinktank website
[edit] Notes
- ↑ 400 MPH on Land, Motor September 24, 1947 reproduced in The Land Speed Record 1940-1962, Brooklands Books, Compiled by R M Clarke ISBN 1-85520-516-5
