re: Fast AMCs -- AMC at Bonneville, Nov 1968

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Craig Breedlove made several Land Speed Record attempts for AMC Nov. 3-17, 1968, at Bonneville in a three wheeled rear engine car dubbed "Anerican Spirit". The engine was longitudinally mounted infront of the rear axle. The car was made of tubing with a stressed aluminum skin -- like an airplane fuselage. The singe front wheel was steerable with the rear wheels faired over like an old fixed gear airplane also. The wheel fairings looked like a pair of rudders on the trailing edge, and helped stabilize the car at speed. The car was 20' long and weighed 2,000 pounds ready to go. Three different engines were used: a sleeved block 199 (3.596" vs. 3.750" bore) displacing 182.2 inches, a bored 290 (3.780" vs. 3.750" bore) displacing 294.5 inches, and a sleeved 390 (4.080" vs. 4.170" bore). Looking at the equipment list I believe the six is the Navarro Indy six, or a copy of it. Might be the engine Tom has? A single AiResearch turbo was used, but I don't have the model number. 

The goal was to break one or more records in three engine classes: Class B - 305-488 cid, Class C - 183-304.9 cid, and Class D - 122-182.9 cid.  The existing records at the time were 345.755 mph, 298.359 mph, and 275.103 mph, respectively. Class A is "unlimited", which Breedlove also hoped to have a shot at with the B engine. That record was 409.277 mph in 68, held by the "Goldenrod". He thought the car capable of 420-450 mph, but it "only" turned 407.45 mph -- enough to break the Class B record by 61.95 mph. 

I have no information on the other engines. This information came from an Oct. 18, 1968 AMC Press Release. The record speed came from a Shell gasoline ad, which also features a pic of the car. I haven't tried researching any Bonneville information to see if there are any records of the runs.

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
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