Goldenrod Land Speed Race Car, circa 1965

THF244527 / Goldenrod Land Speed Race Car, circa 1965
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Artifact Overview

Race cars run on money. California hot rodders Bob and Bill Summers needed corporate sponsors to build Goldenrod, their four-engine streamlined land speed racer. Mobil Oil provided fuel, lubricants, and partial funding for the car. In return, Mobil received considerable publicity when Goldenrod averaged 409.277 miles per hour in November 1965, setting a new record for a wheel-driven car.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1965

Collection Title

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2005.124.4

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Robert C. Post

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 5.0 in
Width: 7.0 in

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    Artifact

    1965 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.