A unique gathering of record breakers and high performance cars were assembled at the historic Brooklands Museum for a very special picnic. Speed fans and MG fans alike travelled from all over the country to see the many distinguished vehicles on display. The enormous Thrust SSC dwarfed the awesome 24 Litre Napier Railton and 27 Litre Higham Special ‘Babs’ parked in the paddock. These great machines were in marked contrast to the delicate rain drop styling of MG EX181 and the high tech lines of MG EX255. Another fascinating exhibit was Don Wales’ Bluebird the diminutive dart like contender to be the fastest electric powered vehicle on earth. This was a day to savour and enjoy the ingenuity and technological development of these very special record breaking vehicles.

 

Richard Noble was on hand to answer questions and sign copies of his new book ‘Thrust’   Too big for the paddock and dominating the scene, Thrust SSC on its special trailer

MGs gather in profusion at Brookland

EX181 styled by Syd Enever, sometimes called the ‘Roaring Rain Drop’. Driven by Stirling Moss and Phil Hill EX181 achieved 254mph in 1959	Thorough preparation of entrants in the Autoglym Concours
‘Babs’ a 27 Litre Liberty engined Higham Special driven by Parry Thomas achieved 171.02 mph on Pendine Sands in Wales	Napier Railton John Cobb’s 24 Litre Lion aero engined special which lapped Brooklands at 141.44 mph a record which has never been beaten

EX255 aiming to be the fastest MG ever

Inside the cockpit of EX255 where Andy Green will conduct the serious business of record breaking

Bubble canopy of EX 255

Don Wales’ Bluebird Electric which he hopes to establish as the world’s fastest electric powered car	Cars from the paddock display where allocated to ascend Brooklands’ famous ‘Test Hill’/ The last Eddie McGowan’s MGB was featured in the Guiness Book of Records twice, for the highest mileage on an original engine and the longest tow of 1223 miles, all teh way back from Moscow
Meticulous attention to detail is observed when judging the Autoglym Concours   Alongside the Electric Bluebird was a display of Royal Mail record breaker stamps featuring Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird, Sir Henry Seagrave’s Sunbeam, John Cobb’s Railton Special, John G Parry Thomas’ ‘Babs’ and Donald Campbell’s Bluebird CN7	Bruce Bursford with his ultra lightweight bicycle. Bruce attained the absolute speed record on fixed rollers of 207.9 mph. He also achieved the maximum distance and average speed test for a one hour continuous ride, absolute speed attained 121.9 mph
Jordan F1 car featured with wide screen live coverage of the Luxembourg Grand Prix	Eddie McGowan’s MGB in the paddock next to the MGF Super Sports MG’s competition concept car
Interior of Super Sports features extra crash protection, lightened controls and customised dash	MGF Super Sports built for road and competition use