Barney Oldfield Driving the "Blitzen Benz" Car on a Racetrack, 1910
Add to SetSummary
In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. In March, the existing world's land speed record fell as the race car -- then named "Lightning Benz" -- bolted down the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, at over 131 miles per hour. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year.
In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. In March, the existing world's land speed record fell as the race car -- then named "Lightning Benz" -- bolted down the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, at over 131 miles per hour. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year.
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1910
Subject Date
1910
Creators
Unknown
Creator Notes
Photographer and location unidentified.
Keywords
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
2005.108.21
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 8 in
Width: 10 in
Inscriptions
Handwritten in lower left corner of image, partially missing: ...MBRO Printed on the bottom border under the image: Barney Oldfield in "Blitzen Benz" in which he set world's speed record / of 131.75 miles per hour in 1910-- with Mobiloil. He still uses Mobiloil.
Share Anywhere
Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. From historic images to vivid descriptions, a record of rich detail is bundled inside a single card.
