1965 Goldenrod Land Speed Race Car

Summary

On November 12, 1965, Goldenrod streaked across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats at 409.277 miles per hour, setting a new land speed record for wheel-driven cars. Builders Bob and Bill Summers powered Goldenrod with four massive Chrysler V-8 engines. Although other car builders copied its sleek design, Goldenrod held the record until 1991.

On November 12, 1965, Goldenrod streaked across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats at 409.277 miles per hour, setting a new land speed record for wheel-driven cars. Builders Bob and Bill Summers powered Goldenrod with four massive Chrysler V-8 engines. Although other car builders copied its sleek design, Goldenrod held the record until 1991.

Artifact

Racing car

Date Made

1965

Subject Date

12 November 1965

Creators

Chrysler Corporation 

Summers, Bill 

Summers, Bob 

Summers Brothers Racing, LLC 

Place of Creation

United States, California, Ontario 

Creator Notes

Made by Bill and Bob Summers, Summers Brothers, Inc., in Ontario, California, with engines from the Chrysler Corporation.

 On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America

Object ID

2002.103.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Aluminum
Metal
Plastic
Rubber (Material)

Technique

Customizing

Color

Black (Color)
Gold (Color)
Orange (Color)

Dimensions

Length: 3.75 in  (Stroke)

Diameter: 4.25 in  (Bore)

Length: 32 ft

Height: 48 in  (At top of tailfin)

Width: 48 in

Horsepower: 2400 hp  (1789.68 kW)

Weight: 6000 lbs  (Total)

Inscriptions

Logo on side: SUMMER / S / BROTHERS On side, between logo and American flag: GOLDENROD In script print on side of cockpit panel: BOB

Specifications

Make & Model: 1965 Goldenrod (land speed racing)

Maker: Bob and Bill Summers, Riverside, California

Engine: Four Chrysler V-8s, hemispherical combustion chambers, overhead valves, 426 cubic inches each

Transmission: Two Spicer 5-speed manuals with first gear removed, simultaneous shifting via special Hurst shifter

Height: 42 inches to top of tail fin, 28 inches to top of engine hood

Width: 48 inches

Wheelbase: 207 inches

Overall length: 384 inches

Weight: 8000 pounds

Horsepower: 2400 at 6700 revolutions per minute

Pounds per horsepower: 3.3

Competition History: Set the record for wheel-driven vehicles at 409.277 miles per hour at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The record stood for 26 years. Driver: Bob Summers.