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 ----------------------BreedloveThe "American Spirit" was a (slightly obscure, overshadowed by Breedlove's
later attempts in rocket and jet cars) land speed record attempt bywith 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".
5,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.1963, in the Spirit of America, powered by a J-47 jet engine.15,
Regarding Internal combustion engine wheel-driven LSR's of that era, on Nov.1965, Bob Summers drove his "Golden Rod", equipped with (4) Chrysler enginestoa wheel-driven LSR @ Bonneville of 409 mph.wheel
This was the record Breedlove was trying to beat with the American Motorsdriven streamliner, the "American Spirit". The American Spirit was powered byamodified fuel-injected, supercharged 390. Unfortunately, due to bad weather,even
both ends of the 10 mile course were under water, so Craig was not able tochallenge the record.
<snip>
So unfortunately, due to bad weather, mudslides, etc., there is still nohave
certified Land Speed Record of 200 mph or more by an AMC. Over the years Ihad the honor of speaking with Craig Breedlove at various car shows. CraigBreedlove
Breedlove has always been a hero of mine, and when I asked him, Craigsigned the glove box of my 69 BBB 390 4sp AMX with a black sharpie pen. Youcansee pictures of Craigs signature on my AMX that I posted over at the AMCForum.Sincerely, Pat South Bay AMX Club