Racing Helmet Worn by Bob Summers While Winning New Land Speed Record, 1965
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Artifact Overview
Bob Summers of Ontario, California, wore this helmet when he achieved a new wheel-driven land speed record of 409.277 miles per hour on November 12, 1965. Summers was in Goldenrod, the sleek four-engine car he built with his brother Bill. The Summers brothers' record stood until 1991.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Crash helmet
Date Made
1962
Subject Date
12 November 1965
Creators
Place of Creation
Location
at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America
Object ID
2011.275.2
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift in Memory of Bob Summers from the Summers Family.
Material
Plastic
Polystyrene
Nylon
Metal
Leather
Color
Gold (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 10 in
Width: 7.5 in
Length: 9.5 in
Inscriptions
Label on inside APPROVED BY SNELL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION / SAN FRANCISCO / SERIAL No 05950
Label on inside: 71/4 BELL (remainder missing) / MFG UNDER PATENT 2,02 (remainder missing)/ BELL, CALIF.
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Related Artifacts
Artifact1965 Goldenrod Land Speed Race Car
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.
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