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Babs - World Land Speed Record Car

Contributed by Museum of Speed

Babs © Carmarthenshire Museums Service

In 1926, Babs became the world's fastest car by reaching a speed of 171.02 mph.In the 1920s Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshire became famous in the story of the World Land Speed Record. The long beach was one of the few places where record-breaking speeds could be reached. There in April 1926, J.G. Parry Thomas in 'Babs' broke the existing record with speeds of 169.30 mph and 171.02 mph. Early next year at Pendine, Malcolm Campbell hit 174.883 mph in his Napier 'Bluebird'. The scene was set for Parry Thomas to reclaim the record. His attempt on 3rd March ended in disaster. Babs rolled at speed and its driver was killed. Babs was buried in the dunes and Pendine passed from the history of the World Land Speed Record. Forty-two years later, Babs was recovered and painstakingly restored over 16 years. Since then she has been exhibited extensively and now appears every summer at the museum in Pendine.

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29th April 1926

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