Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Peter_L · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 1:31 pm Post subject: Donald Campbell. 50 years on

I remember Bluebird from the days spent camping at Coniston Hall and watching it testing up and down the lake.

We had just rented our first VHS player from DER that Christmas and can remember recording the News article then running slow motion and pause.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-38496708

Donald was never going to hang up his helmet, so the result was inevitable.

His 1964 483 mph Land Speed record has never been beaten or even attempted. What followed was something very different and for me, a pointless exercise.

mikeC · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 4:41 pm Post subject:

In fond memory, my Photoshop tribute to a very brave man:

_________________
in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on!

Peter_L · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 4:45 pm Post subject:

Ellis · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 6:38 pm Post subject:

How many of you remember that day in 1967?

The BBC footage of the accident is still in my mind fifty years later.
What I find strange is the Donald Campbell's body was never found despite Conniston Water not being very deep.
There was a programme some years ago about the recovery of Bluebird and from what I recall it was surprisingly intact.

www.bluebirdproject.com

Campbell had received a premonition, as the story or legend goes, not to attempt the record that day.

His car was a white Jaguar E Type Roadster registered DC 3 if I remember correctly.
_________________
Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

peppiB · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 8:59 pm Post subject:

I was sitting eating my lunch in my Riley Elf, using a lay by about 2 miles from my place of work (Burn Lane, Newton Aycliffe) when the news was read on the 1pm bulletin. Memory still vivid

V8 Nutter · Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 601

Not wishing to take anything from Donald Campbell's achievements, but I am a bit of anorak when it comes to historical facts. His land speed record was actually 403.1 m.p.h. It was broken in 1964 by the Summers Brothers Golden Rod, which was powered by 4 Chrysler Hemi Engines and achieved a speed of 409 m.p.h. That record was beaten by another Hemi powered car about 40 years later, but not by the 1% margin required to set an official record. The record currently stands at 427 m.p.h. which was set by a turbine powered car in 1999. I don't have any more details of that car. The Golden Rod was so streamlined it probably had the lowest drag coefficient of any car ever built. I believe in recent years Mickey Thompsons son been working on a car for the record attempt.

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

My wife and I spent about half an hour on the dock talking to Leo Villa the day before the crash. Didn't see Campbell though, but we did watch a couple of practice runs.
Was it really fifty years ago? Yesterday we looked at some photos of us and the children from that Christmas, and I don't look any different!

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 681 Location: Hampshire, UK

Yes I remember it well. I was 10 and Campbell was a bit of a schoolboy hero of mine. I built a balsa wood Bluebird K7 in the school art room. It was probably rubbish but the teacher put it on display as a tribute!

Peter_L · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 6:01 pm Post subject:

Peter_L · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 12:05 am Post subject:

Although not part of the record measuring runs. Bluebird reached 440 mph as it passed the end of the measured area. It's design is said to have been capable of 500mph. No other wheel propelled vehicle has come close and once the regulations were changed, the true meaning of the Land Speed Record was lost.