RE: Back Sliding/Land Speed Records

[farna@xxxxxxx]

NEGATIVE. The "American Spirit" never made a CLASS A LSR RUN. Before the 
rain-out it DID make runs in the lower classes. It just wasn't able to challenge 
the all-out Land Speed Record. There was a 407.45 mph speed recorded -- enough 
to break the Class B (305-488 CID) record, but not fast enough to break the 
Class A (Unlimited) record. I don't know who (if anyone) keeps records other 
than the Class A absolute top speed record. Bob Summers' top speed was 
officially 409.277 mph. Breedlove broke the Class B record by 61.695 mph, but 
really wanted the Class A record. 

I have the specs on the engines for all three classes the car ran (B, C, and D) 
in an official AMC press release. The info for breaking the class B record WITH 
THE PISTON ENGINED CAR comes from a Shell gasoline ad in late 68 or early 69 (or 
was it Champion plugs? I'm looking for the ad now!). It CLEARLY states the speed 
and CLASS B record. I know this isn't the Class A LSR, but it's still an 
officially recorded 407.45 mph speed. 

I am incorrect on using the nose for the "Spirit of America". I got that part 
turned around -- tha design of the "American Spirit" was based on the "Spirit of 
America" design, I don't know if any parts were interchanged -- most likely not. 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
> > The "American Spirit" was a (slightly obscure, overshadowed by Breedlove's
> > later attempts in rocket and jet cars) land speed record attempt by 
Breedlove
> > with AMC as a sponsor. They broke the Class B record by going 407 mph with a
> > sleeved 390 block. I made a post that got lost, apaprently, will have to
> > retype the particulars and try again! This was in a three wheeled car that
> > Breedlove built. The forward fuselage was later used for the jet powered
> > "Spirit of America".

> Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 02:35:28 -0500
> Subject: RE: Back Sliding/Land Speed Records
> To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> Ken, you are right that the American Spirit never made a record run.
> 
> I think Frank may have been confused with Craig's LSR run of 407 mph on Aug. 
5, 
> 1963, in the Spirit of America, powered by a J-47 jet engine. 
> 
> Regarding Internal combustion engine wheel-driven LSR's of that era, on Nov. 
15, 
> 1965, Bob Summers drove his "Golden Rod", equipped with (4) Chrysler engines 
to 
> a wheel-driven LSR @ Bonneville of 409 mph. 
> 
> This was the record Breedlove was trying to beat with the American Motors 
wheel 
> driven streamliner, the "American Spirit". The American Spirit was powered by 
a 
> modified fuel-injected, supercharged 390. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, 
> both ends of the 10 mile course were under water, so Craig was not able to 
even 
> challenge the record. 

<snip>

> So unfortunately, due to bad weather, mudslides, etc., there is still no 
> certified Land Speed Record of 200 mph or more by an AMC. Over the years I 
have 
> had the honor of speaking with Craig Breedlove at various car shows. Craig 
> Breedlove has always been a hero of mine, and when I asked him, Craig 
Breedlove 
> signed the glove box of my 69 BBB 390 4sp AMX with a black sharpie pen. You 
can 
> see pictures of Craigs signature on my AMX that I posted over at the AMC 
Forum. 
> Sincerely, Pat   South Bay AMX Club