The famous Bluebird CN7 has been reunited with its original damaged nose panel, thanks to a donation from Stadco to the Campbell family. The original front nose panel from Donald Campbell’s famous World Land Speed Record Breaker, the Bluebird CN7, was returned to and replaced at the Coventry site after being damaged during the land speed record attempt in 1960, where it has remained ever since.
The handover to the Malcolm Campbell Heritage Trust took place at an event at The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, where the nose panel will join four iconic World Land Speed Record cars, including the Bluebird CN7 and Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird 350hp, for a brand new Land Speed Record Breakers display.
Following the failed land speed attempt at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960, the damaged Bluebird was shipped back to the site in the Midlands. While the design updates were made, including the addition of the tail fin to stabilise the vehicle at speed, Motor Panels, now Stadco, set to work repairing the Bluebird. The nose panel had been creased in the crash at Bonneville and was removed and replaced.
The old hood panel displaying the Union Jack and US flags was set aside and spent the next 50 years at the Coventry site. Following the discovery of other artefacts, including detailed original records and correspondence between the Campbells and the Stadco project team, and 26 reels of unique 16mm film footage from 1960-1963, Stadco decided that a new home should be sought for the nose panel to properly reflect its historic significance.
Stadco’s Product Development Director, Paul Jaggers, said: “We are very proud of our historic link to Bluebird and these artefacts were a very exciting find for us. We were keen to ensure they found the right home and are very pleased to donate them to the family trust.”
Source: Stadco
Available from Veloce!
Bluebird CN7 - The inside story of Donald Campbell’s last Land Speed Record car
By Donald Stevens
Records the development, construction and operation of the last wheel-driven land speed record breaking car that the UK produced, and tells how the tragic demise of Donald Campbell prevented it from reaching its full potential. A unique account of a legendary feat of engineering. More info.
Showing posts with label bluebird. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bluebird. Show all posts
RECORD-BREAKING BLUEBIRD CN7 REUNITED WITH ORIGINAL NOSE PANEL
Friday, December 6, 2013
Labels:
automotive news,
bluebird
LAND SPEED RECORD BREAKERS DISPLAY AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 2013 #FoS
Saturday, July 13, 2013
A fine collection of Land Speed Record machines at Goodwood Festival of Speed this year. We caught up with Donald Stevens for a few words about the Bluebird CN7.
Donald Stevens, project co-ordinator for the design and construction of the Bluebird CN7 car, and author of Veloce book Bluebird CN7 - The inside story of Donald Campbell’s last Land Speed Record car. Click here for more info about the book!
Donald Stevens was born in the East End of London, but grew up in Haywards Heath, the Sussex market town to which he was evacuated in 1939. In his early teenage years he became fascinated by aeroplanes and other machines, and on leaving school began training as a mechanical engineer.
At 19, he joined the newly-formed design consultancy Norris Brothers Ltd as its first employee, and became a member of the design team for Donald Campbell’s Bluebird hydroplane. Following National Service in the RAF, Donald became project co-ordinator for the design and construction of the Bluebird car. This is his first book.
Bluebird CN7 - The inside story of Donald Campbell’s last Land Speed Record car
By Donald Stevens
Records the development, construction and operation of the last wheel-driven land speed record breaking car that the UK produced, and tells how the tragic demise of Donald Campbell prevented it from reaching its full potential. A unique account of a legendary feat of engineering. More info
Donald Stevens, project co-ordinator for the design and construction of the Bluebird CN7 car, and author of Veloce book Bluebird CN7 - The inside story of Donald Campbell’s last Land Speed Record car. Click here for more info about the book!
Bluebird-Proteus CN7
Renault Etoile Filante
Sunbeam 1000HP
Bluebird V
Gilette Mach 3 Challenger
Sunbeam V12
Donald Stevens was born in the East End of London, but grew up in Haywards Heath, the Sussex market town to which he was evacuated in 1939. In his early teenage years he became fascinated by aeroplanes and other machines, and on leaving school began training as a mechanical engineer.
At 19, he joined the newly-formed design consultancy Norris Brothers Ltd as its first employee, and became a member of the design team for Donald Campbell’s Bluebird hydroplane. Following National Service in the RAF, Donald became project co-ordinator for the design and construction of the Bluebird car. This is his first book.
Bluebird CN7 - The inside story of Donald Campbell’s last Land Speed Record car
By Donald Stevens
Records the development, construction and operation of the last wheel-driven land speed record breaking car that the UK produced, and tells how the tragic demise of Donald Campbell prevented it from reaching its full potential. A unique account of a legendary feat of engineering. More info
100 YEARS OF BLUEBIRD AT SANDOWN PARK
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The first show ever to bring full-size and model record breakers together
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18TH 2012
Land Speed Record breaking cars and motorcycles will be brought together with their model counterparts for the first time at Sandown Park race course on Saturday February 18th in a unique one day show.
The show is being held in conjunction with Barry Potters International Toy Fair, which attracts toy dealers from all over Europe and will include not only the cars themselves but also the people who drive them.
Also on hand will be authors who have written about speed record attempts and artists who have depicted the cars across the last one hundred years.
“This is a one off that is not to be missed,” said organiser Geoff Holden. “It is the first time that we have been able to get everyone together like this and it may not happen again.”
Barry Potter organiser of the International toy fair said: “This is a unique opportunity for anyone who is interested in speed record breaking. It will be a fantastic day out where enthusiasts can combine the real thing with their smaller counterparts. Last year we celebrated with CMC (Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth) and Jaguar Heritage the 50th anniversary of the E-Type now, now we are celebrating speed record holders and it is our intention to bring other exciting opportunities that will enhance the international toy fairs that we have run successfully for many years.”
Amongst the items on show will be:
Bloodhound SSC (SuperSonic Car) show car
The team aims to break the current world land speed record of 763mph in 2013 with a combined jet and rocket powered vehicle on Hakseen Pan in South Africa, and ultimately go on to exceed 1000mph. Previous world land speed record holder Richard Noble heads the project and the car will be driven by current world land speed record holder Andy Green.
Team members will be on hand to answer questions; visitors will have the opportunity to try out the Bloodhound Driving Experience, as well as choosing from a wide range of Bloodhound SSC merchandise and joining the Bloodhound 1K Supporters Club.
Bluebird Electric / 100 Years of Bluebird
The current UK electric land speed record holding car with which the team hope to raise the UK record speed further in 2012 will be on display. It is also hoped that Don Wales, grandson of World Land Speed Record holder Sir Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell, will be able to attend
This is one of many events taking place throughout the year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the naming of the first Bluebird car by Sir Malcolm Campbell.
Angelic Bulldog
A motorbike streamliner being built with the aim of achieving an outright world land speed record for motorcycles in excess of 400mph in 2012. The ‘bike will be on display and driver Gabriel Uttley will be in attendance throughout the day to answer questions, offer sponsorship opportunities and enrol new members into the Angelic Bulldog Supporters Club.
Book Signings
Authors of recently published speed record related books will be signing copies during the show including Mike Varndell, author of ‘The British are Coming’, published by Transport Bookman Publications, and Neil Sheppard, author of ‘Donald Campbell, Bluebird and the Final Record Attempt’, published by The History Press.
Speed Record Art
Arthur Benjaminsis an accomplished artist whose work appears on the dust jacket and flysheets of Mike Varndells book ‘The British are Coming’. Examples of his paintings and prints will be on display, and he will also be on hand to sign copies of Mikes book on request. Arthur specialises in land and water speed record subjects as well as motor racing scenes.
Martin Squires is a young artist with a personal interest in older automotive subjects including speed record vehicles, examples of which will be on display.
Brooklands
The Brooklands Outreach team will be displaying material relating to the famous racing circuit in Weybridge, just a short distance from Sandown Park that is known as ‘The Birthplace of British Motorsport and Aviation’. Visitors will be offered the opportunity to become Brooklands Trust Members.
Autodromo
Master model making from the studios of Autodromo. Examples of very high quality large-scale models from The Autodromo Collection will be on display, alongside a prototype1/12th scale model of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s 1935 Blue Bird land speed record car. The finished model will be available in a limited edition later in 2012, and orders for this or other models from the Autodromo Collection may be placed on the day.
The Speed Record Club
Representatives of the Speed Record Club, a worldwide group of enthusiasts interested in speed record attempts of all types both historical and current, will be on hand to answer questions of any nature on the subject. The club display will include promotional items, magazines and club membership offers.
The Bluebird Supporters Club
The objectives of the Bluebird Supporters Club are to keep the Campbell and Bluebird Heritage alive, and to promote any future record attempts by descendants of Sir Malcolm Campbell. Promotional material, club magazines, books and photographs will be on display and new members will be welcomed on the day.
Show Opening Times and Admission
Speed at Sandown Park and the BP Fairs event will both be open for general admission between 10:30 and 15:30, with ‘Early Bird’ tickets available from 08:00.
Admission prices to the BP Fairs event including access to Speed at Sandown Park are Adults £5.00, Seniors £4.50, Children £2.00, Early Bird £10.00
Bluebird CN7 - The inside story of Donald Campbell’s last Land Speed Record car
By Donald Stevens
Records the development, construction and operation of the last wheel-driven land speed record breaking car that the UK produced, and tells how the tragic demise of Donald Campbell prevented it from reaching its full potential. A unique account of a legendary feat of engineering.
More info.
Labels:
automotive events,
bluebird
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)















