Land speed record: the 18 fastest cars in the world and their drivers

Since we first strapped wheels to an engine we have been dreaming of going faster and faster - here are the drivers and cars that broke the world land speed record.


Since the first car was invented by Karl Benz back in 1885 we have been dreaming of pushing the limits of what they can do. The fastest production car in the world is the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, but that pales in comparison to those drivers who have striven to break the land speed record.

Here we have a look as some of these pioneering speed demons and the incredible cars that broke records.

1

La Jamais Contente - 65.792 mph

© Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images
© Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images

Driver:Camille Jenatzy (Belgium)

Date:17 Jan 1899

2

Ford 999 Racer - 91.37 mph

GettyImages-3224061_master
© Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Date:12 Jan 1904

Driver:Henry Ford (USA)

3

The Stanley Rocket - 127.66 mph

© ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
© ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images

Date:26 Jan 1906

Driver:Fred Marriot (USA)

4

The FIAT Mephistopheles - 145.89 mph

© Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
© Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Date:12 Jul 1924

Driver:Ernest Eldridge (GBR)

5

Sunbeam 350HP - 150.87 mph

© MacGregor/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
© MacGregor/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Date:25 Sep 1924

Driver:Malcolm Campbell (GBR)

6

Babs - 170 mph

© E. Bacon/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
© E. Bacon/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Date:28 Apr 1926

Driver:Parry Thomas (GBR)

7

Blue Bird - 174.88 mph

© Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
© Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Date:4 Feb 1927

Driver:Malcolm Campbell

8

The Mystery (aka Sunbeam 1000 hp) - 203.79 mph

© ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
© ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images

Date:29 Mar 1927

Driver:Henry Segrave (GBR)

9

The Golden Arrow - 231.446 mph

© Imagno/Getty Images
© Imagno/Getty Images

Date:11 Mar 1929

Driver:Henry Segrave (GBR)

10

Blue Bird - 253.97 mph

© Central Press/Getty Images
© Central Press/Getty Images

Date:24 Feb 1932

Driver:Malcolm Campbell (GBR)

11

Thunderbolt - 311.42 mph

© Davies/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
© Davies/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Date:19 Nov 1937

Driver:George Eyston (GBR)

12

The Railton - 350.2 mph

© Imagno/Getty Images
© Imagno/Getty Images

Date:15 Sep 1938

Driver:John Cobb (GBR)

13

The Spirit of America - 407.447 mph

© National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images
© National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Date:5 Aug 1963

Driver:Craig Breedlove (USA)

14

The Green Monster - 434.03 mph

© ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
© ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images

Date:5 Oct 1964

Driver:Art Arfons (USA)

15

The Spirit of America - Sonic 1 - 555.485 mph

GettyImages-564354239_master
© Rolls Press/Popperfoto/Getty Images

Date:2 Nov 1965

Driver:Craig Breedlove (USA)

16

The Blue Flame - 630.478 mph

© Rolls Press/Popperfoto/Getty Images
© Rolls Press/Popperfoto/Getty Images

Date:23 Oct 1970

Driver:Gary Gabelich (USA)

17

Thrust2 - 634.051 mph

© National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images
© National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Date:4 Oct 1983

Driver:Richard Noble (GBR)

18

Thrust SSC - 760.343 mph

© David Madison/Getty Images
© David Madison/Getty Images

Date:15 Oct 1997

Driver:Andy Green (GBR)

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