Versatile British racer/record breaker Captain GET Eyston setting new diesel powered World Land Speed Records of 101.983 mph for the flying mile, and 104.86 mph for the measured kilometre in his AEC Fuel Oil Safety Special at Brooklands on October 27, 1933.
The EA Eldridge designed, LT Delaney of Ataida Vale built car was essentially a marriage of a Genevans cross braced, Chrysler Imperial chassis, A.E.C. (Associated Equipment Company) 8.85-litre, 130bhp six-cylinder, pushrod OHV engine – pulled ex-stock from a London double decker bus – a Chrysler four speed gearbox, and bespoke Vanden Plas built body
Four pairs of shock absorbers were used on conventional solid axles front and rear, with Lockheed providing the hydraulic drum brakes, while the fuel tank was big enough to take the car from London to Edinburgh and back.
The plan was to attack long distance records later in the year at Montlhery, so driver comfort was a feature of the c-45cwt car. ‘The saloon body was very comfortably fitted up and long distance records should be put up very comfortably, but there was a certain smell about the inside of the car,’ the MotorSport reporter wrote.
‘After the (cold and wet) record breaking run the spectators adjourned to the BARC clubhouse, as the guests of Messrs CC Wakefield and Co, whose fuel and lubricating oil helped make the record attempt possible, and restored their circulation with welcome refreshments.’
Note that Eyston improved his world record to 115.41mph for the measured mile and kilometre at Montlhery in March 1934, a record eclipsed within a year. In 1936 he returned to France, setting a 24-hour diesel record of 94.99 mph.
Etcetera…
Several of the shots show how testing the conditions were on that October day, I wonder how effective the aerodynamics of the distinctive car were?
Credits…
Underwood & Underwood, London News Agency, MotorSport, Alamy
Tailpiece…
Finito…
