500mph Failure: The Incredible Wingfoot Express 2 and A History of Rocket Cars 1928-1965

[@M14armorer]

You sir are a true historian. Thank you so much for all your hard work

[@brianlohnes3079]

Appreciate you spending some time watching and your kind words.

[@theschultz-ster]

Your channel should be offered as a college course! So much history in an amazing story form.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Appreciate you saying that. I always try to make it worth people’s while to watch.

[@theschultz-ster]

@@brianlohnes3079 Mission accomplished sir!

[@benrossbach6501]

You, sir, never disappoint. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and time.

[@robertjosephik4010]

College

[@Fchejrjfjdifjrbfkfkftfrodjdbdj]

A college course? How about elementary schools instead. We all know what kind of education colleges teach 😢 in fact a Jr high-school student knows more about history than any college student unless they are taught by woke trash .

[@jeffjankiewicz5100]

Thank you for keeping automotive history alive. You rock Brian.

[@Ggoodlad1]

the calendar gets in my way, but the Jankiewicz name makes my memories smile. You rock too, Jeff. Cheers!

[@Davidautofull]

i saw Art Arfon take a Green Monster down the drag strip. im sorry my memory is so bad but i know it was 1968 or 69, maybe 70, because of the car my friend and i drove from SC to Rockingham NC for a weekend event. it was FANTASTIC. that fine sandy crap filled everyones eyes when it passed by. advertised as being 600 mph. i was saving the ads and info i got and somewhere they were lost. wow that was fun. hell i was only 16 or 17. drove my MOMs 68 Mustang. what a wonderful world that was. just a year or so later i bought my 1966 orange Corvette. $1500. im about to cry. everyone should have great memories and great friends.

[@adriancole3165]

You were so fortunate. Living in Australia, I could only read about all these guys. We did have Donald Campbell visiting here with his wheel driven Bluebird on Lake Eyre. But you guys were then into rocket powered sleds! LoL. Arfons, Ostich, Breedlove, etc etc. Exciting times!

[@jannear8641]

You are kind of like Paul Harvey, giving the rest of the story. Brings back memories of growing up and reading about these cars in the newspaper and magazines. Thank you for your videos.

[@whitneylake2107]

I have always been a serious Arfons fan - Old School ! Their determination is timeless. Thank you !

[@alanquintus2069]

I hit the like button before I watch Brian's videos. He hits a home run every time.

[@georgekappland2935]

I'm an old gen X'r and a motor head from birth. I watch a lot of these type videos. You sir, blow most away. I really appreciate the time and details you put into the production. Thanks Brian, please keep up the great work!

[@Tanman799]

I was 10 in 68 and lived between two pro drag racers within a block and was in all when they loaded up the cars and remember looking at older brother's car magazines and not understanding but thought how bad ass everything was and now I get learn about it

[@CarsCatAliens]

How does this channel exist and not have over 10M subs ? Great content.. Really doing the work

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for watching it and being a part of the clique! Haha

[@CarsCatAliens]

@@brianlohnes3079 I have a small inquiry. Being that you cover all sorts of automotive history, different propulsion methods and anything one could possibly imagine, would you ever produce a small series type video covering the vast speciality builds? To be more specific styles such as lowriders, Donks, resto mods,.full restorations to exemplify a few ? More of your style with the deep dive into the history, beginnings, and notable figures within those styles ?

[@markrix]

Because the channel name isn't catchy that's MO

[@RB-bd5tz]

There's too much intelligence and educational content to appeal to the masses.

[@CarsCatAliens]

@@RB-bd5tz Interesting perspective... At times I find myself cringing at the gap between intelligent folks, compared with lower IQ , non thinking majority...

[@yakacm]

These videos are so well done, well researched, an intelligently written script, and the narration is paced just right, not so slow to be boring and not over hyped.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks a million. I enjoy making them and do my best to create something worth watching

[@noverguy]

Another FANTASTIC presentation! THANK YOU Brian!

[@Ggoodlad1]

Thank you, Brian, for this EXCELLENT documentary of the battle these men fought to be the fastest boys on wheels! As a friend of a pioneering engineer of the Blue Flame (Pete Farnsworth & his crew chief Kenny), you deserve MANY thanks for continuing the story of their legendary battles - wins AND losses! Kudos to you, sir!

[@robbertmadden1386]

Brian thanks for a great story about Art Arfons, I grew up in northern Illinois and my home track was Byron Illinois. This Drag week 24 you made mention of Byron and Ron Leek. I'm retired now living in the Philippines and I follow everything Drag Racing on KZbin. I got to know Ron through seeking into the track at 13 years old and getting caught by Ron and kicked out to getting caught and put to work dumping trash can in order to stay and later in life bracket racing and being good friends with Ron. It made me feel good to hear the words you said about Ron, and I just what to say thank for what you do for the sport and your knowledge that keeps it alive.

[@thomasbell6655]

Brilliant documentary, thank you.

[@oldsranch]

Another Lohnes masterpiece!! Well done!

[@mikecurtis2585]

Always love hearing these stories of speed history! Keep all the great racing stories coming!!!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Will do! There’s so many good ones to tell.

[@donanything6816]

What a great story. I bumped into Craig Breedlove one time in the Mojave Desert and got to tell him about the pictures of him at Bonneville that were cut out of Hot Rod Magazine and hung on my wall when I was a kid. He was wearing a leather jacket with Spirit Of America on the back, that was how the conversation started when I commented on it. That brought a huge smile. Nice man. Thanks for the video

[@RichardBinder-dx7fk]

Craig Breedlove.

[@donanything6816]

@@RichardBinder-dx7fk thank you

[@RichardBinder-dx7fk]

@@donanything6816 Welcome

[@vk2aafhamradio]

Another wonderful yarn from Pickle Rd off Hwy 619 in Akron, near where I grew up. Thanks again, Brian, keep 'em coming!

[@Sleeperdude]

Incredible story as always

[@robbnutter4665]

I was a kid, but I did witness rocket cars at OCIR. They were completely silent until turned "on" and then they were as loud as all get out. A good announcer could really talk them up, having the spectators "count them down". They were doing modern day e.t.'s and speeds back in the 1970's after only a 2 or 3 second burn...which is probably why they went away but they were IMPRESSIVE!! As always, I am impressed by your research.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Man, I’d love to see a hydrogen peroxide car in person. Must have been truly incredible. Thanks for watching and digging the history.

[@93r83]

@@brianlohnes3079 I have seen the Rosco mcglashan's hydrogen peroxide go kart in the museum in Perth, and the idea that someone did 253 mph on it is insane.

[@gordocarbo]

Was very young and watched them, also yrs later at Pomona I believe Unreal when those jets start popping and blowing flames. Dont think Id have the nuts to pilot one with all that jet fuel aboard Sure makes for good fun racing at night

[@robbnutter4665]

@@brianlohnes3079 Any decisions yet on the booth for NHRA broadcasts? Hope you come back!

[@cudwieser3952]

How much underwear was tarnished in these runs 😆

[@brianlohnes3079]

Hahahahah

[@Tom.......]

At least 1 per car.

[@gordocarbo]

Enough to require the Borax 20 mule team to tow the hamper

[@outoftouch99]

I would say 0 this was when men where men ,they not even whearing helmets ,fear was not even invented then ,people are so soft nowdays its sad

[@Tanman799]

​@@outoftouch99real men didn't wear underwear 😁

[@morenofranco9235]

Great Presentation, Brian. Now I know a whole lot more stuff that totally surprises me - Like von Opel's racing streak for example. I have been a car enthusiast since I was a kid. Designed them. Built a few custom bodies of my own. At 72 - I am pleased that THE ADVENTURE IS not over. YET!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Awesome and amen to that!

[@vehdynam]

I have known of the Arfon's brothers over the years , but not this. Amazing ! It makes one wonder if will will see these types of efforts ever again. Greatly appreciated , thank you.

[@olsonspeed]

I remember reading accounts of these record attempts in newspapers and Popular Mechanics. Thanks for creating these interesting videos.

[@mgbchuck6527]

Total insanity Brian, I love it----------truly hot rodding at it's finest---(saw several jet cars (drags) in the late 60s/early 70s, right before it was banned I saw the Pollution Packer Rocket go 300mph+ @ Fremont in the early 70s) my favorite exhibition car will always be Capt. Jack McClures rocket Kart, insanity at it's best (my computers screensaver)

[@speedfreak8200]

I remember watching Night of 🔥 Fire PIR P- Town, OR. All the balled up rubber/debris was blown away. They moved everyone tht was watching from behind outta the way ...

[@ScottFoster482002]

Great storytelling as usual. I learned a few things. I followed land speed records in those days and still do. Arfons was always there. Thank you 💙

[@600wheel]

Thanx again Brian. I’ve never been happier to find a channel than yours

[@brianlohnes3079]

Wow! Thanks a million!!!

[@600wheel]

@@brianlohnes3079 Love it brother. I couldn’t be happier when sitting on my ass than when I am learning about the history of wheeled speed. Muchly (it is a word damnit) appreciated 🤘😎🤘

[@rogerdodrill4733]

No thats bigly appreciated​@@600wheel

[@DanBishop-x6o]

Brian - another amazing video that goes in Akron history as well as touches on Goodyear and the rubber history of Akron. Reportedly the test rig for the land speed tires broke a spindle (at Goodyear Akron test track) and shot the assembly well over several hundred yards away. It was done outside and was a v8 rig hooked to several gear reduction boxes. Great videos again!

[@jeffdillard8789]

Another great video. I forgot about the Wingfield express. Remember learning about all this craziness when I was a kid

[@AtZero138]

That's was amazing... Thanks for sharing this.. cheers from Orange County California 🇺🇸

[@heintmeyer2296]

this is a wonderfully sly challenge to everyone to get out there and build a mach 1 rocket car. Well done, sir.

[@brodywalker8579]

Fantastic as usual Brian. I look forward to every video for my rides to work!

[@ryanwilson2016]

I met Doug Rose multiple times when i was a kid. He'd come to our local track in the Green mamba and burn up a car chained to the back. Mr. Rose was always such a nice guy, always happy to take pictures and talk to the fans. Still to this day, 30+ years later, every time I hear a jet engine start coming to life, I think of that guy and the green mamba.

[@royb.1441]

"Oh....adding to the issue,....Walt Arfons suffered a heart attack on the starting line watching this calamity take place".......😂😅😅 - I feel sorry for laughing at that, but your timing on stating such caught me. Plus afterwards, the man lived to 96 years old. Anyways, I absolutely love these videos Brian, you do such an excellent job presenting this history.

[@mikepaul3959]

Thanks for another superb racing history lesson.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for tuning in and giving it a look!

[@bradleyduncan8224]

Excellent job as always brain! Thank you! I will never turn away from an arfons history lesson. Two brothers that were the true deffinition of Hot Rodding. Thank you brian!

[@The55nomad]

Another great documentary. Thank you.

[@whatdoiknowsmith]

Congratulations, your videos are a unique mix of entertainment and information. Having watched a number of them now, learning about what these men achieved and the engineering genius that allowed for some of the craziest ideas to become reality is utterly enthralling. Keep bringing it to KZbin. From Australia.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Many, many thanks for enjoying them!

[@R.Sole88109]

All that great rocket vehicle knowledge but not one mention of the rocket powered Land Rover used in Macgyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis. Tut tut,tut.😜😆 Cheers for another mint episode, Brian.🍻👍🏻

[@andrewgillis8572]

Brian your script and delivery are so good, I figure you're a radio broadcaster by trade or experience. Your enthusiasm for the topic shines through.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you Andrew!!

[@qibble455]

Another great story. Thanks Brian:)

[@mikelefevers8168]

Well Done Brian, most of this LSR history gets twisted or is incomplete. You have made a concise, and compelling presentation of the history I grew up with. Thanks.

[@ror312gallery19]

brilliant brian, you are the man,!! love your work,,cheers robert in italy,!

[@santino5617]

What a great channel, thank you! 🙏 You brought back great memories of the LSR competitions I the 60’s. Many years later when Richard Nobel’s Thrust SSC broke the sound barrier, Brave Speedlove was there to congratulate him and his team. A class act to be sure.

[@CEH3]

Brian, once again I am grateful and amazed at your dedication to all things fast - and the ability to tell a great story! One thing to note is that prior to WWII, the words 'jet' and 'rocket' were often used interchangeably. JPL (The Jet Propulsion Laboratory) had its beginnings in the '30s focusing on rocket design! JATO, AeroJet, RATO, is kinda all the result of the same ambiguity. Same as Rocket Motor and Jet Engine seem to be today. I eagerly await your next effort!

[@rtod4]

I don't remember the car names, but at the 1971 IHRA Spring Nationals in Bristol, I saw a match race between a jet car and a rocket car. Don't remember which one won either, but both cars tore up the asphalt behind the starting line due to the thrust. There was a delay since they had to move the starting and finish lines down the track to be able to finish the rest of the races.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Yikes! That’s a wild story.

[@rtod4]

​​@@brianlohnes3079 I think I found a picture of the Art Arfons Super Cyclops being the jet car tearing up the asphalt at Bristol. It's on the NHRA webpage "Bristol Dragway: 50 years of memories" but the race was the 1971 IHRA Sping Nationals Still don't know about the rocket car

[@jonathangehman4005]

You and I have a lot of the same heroes. I'm eager to see who, or what you cover next. 10 out of 10

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you for taking the time to watch it.

[@nigel900]

Fascinating! 👍🏻 Excellent video and Outstanding narration. 🫡

[@bradley-eblesisor]

You and Dale Jr. have more to do with my enjoyment of motorsports than the current examples. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into these enjoyable productions. I hope to meet you and thank you personally at some drag race in Indy sometime, some day.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Hey that is good company to be in! Heck yes on the meet up in Indy

[@gordocarbo]

WHy did Dale Jr retire so young?

[@markmonroe7330]

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@gafrers]

Another Awesome video. So much research and wonderfully narrated.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

AMAZING and thank you Brian very much,well said Mr carry on.... Old F-4 Shoe🇺🇸

[@brianlohnes3079]

Woah!!

[@stevecunningham2759]

Great video recalling my teen age car magazine memories.

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

Hell yeah another Lohnes video. Time to learn something new !

[@brianlohnes3079]

Buckle up!

[@1978garfield]

I love that Art named his daughter Allison after the engine company. I remember his turbine powered tractor on the pulling circuit. The turbine engine was painted up like a giant can of Busch Beer. As a kid I remember seeing The Blue Flame in person at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis. Sadly it is no longer in the US.

[@strykerentllc]

Brian, as with each presentation before, this one was another absolute treat so thank you for taking the time to put it together for everyone to enjoy. Cheers and we're looking forward to your colorful commentary on the NHRA events coming up at Vegas and the finals in Pomona.

[@DonOblivious]

I hope this is a series! Rocketman Ky Michaelson lives in my neighborhood, and I'd really love to send him about the years he was active on the salt flats. He's still building rockets in his 80's. There's a video of him with a triple pulsjet go-cart speeding down roads in the industrial part of town at ~84 years old on his youtube channel.

[@gratefulot360]

Excellent storytelling.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you!

[@revvyhevvy]

Great reporting as always, Brian! Thanks!

[@landiahillfarm6590]

Great episode!

[@davidfrost801]

Enjoy your content, anything about Salt Flats/Dry Lakes/Land Speed Records could fill a library...

[@snakezdewiggle6084]

Thanks Brian, nice treatment.!

[@nitrousoxide69]

The simplicity of rockets is enticing for those looking for big power but actually getting them to fire in the correct sequence and orientation, without ending in a massive explosion, is not as simple. After all, It IS rocket science.

[@raymondsmart6204]

enjoyable video, well researched

[@timrayburn2461]

Outstanding work,thank you

[@setituptoblowitup]

Rockets and race cars pretty rad combo 🤙🤙

[@dwaynesullivan-qo2iz]

Great story thanks for sharing.

[@localcrew]

I’m old enough to remember just a little bit of this. I would have been eleven when the “Blue Flame” ran.

[@gordocarbo]

Similar here...I remember checking out books in the library to read about those cars. If only I studied school books 1/2 as much!

[@jimbass1664]

Good stuff, well told. Cheers bud.

[@Flies2FLL]

-A coworker of mine back when I was instructor at American Eagle, the regional affiliate of America Airlines was Bill Gnegy. He bought a jet powered (CJ610, very common private jet engine) dragster and started taking it to drag strips for exhibition work. He was making good money when one day in Louisiana he had to weld something on the back end of the car; On the next run the weld broke and he was killed instantly. That really sucks, since I used to hang out with him in Dallas West End. These machines DON'T fool around, they are very dangerous.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Wow, this is pretty wild and 100% on the danger level.

[@Flies2FLL]

@@brianlohnes3079 That danger is why they are popular and tracks will pay good money for people to run them.

[@rogerpage9682]

brilliant video

[@edwardwood3622]

Great video!! I would love a quality video like this for Turbonique.

[@brianlohnes3079]

I did an extensive audio podcast on the company and its founder. If you are a podcast listener, you’ll find it as part of my Dork-O-Motive series, available where you get your podcasts

[@edwardwood3622]

@@brianlohnes3079 thanks Brian, I’ll have a listen.👍

[@mypl510]

Babe! Wake up the kids, Lohnes just posted a new one!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Hahahah - let ‘em sleep!

[@caseyedds2032]

More tractor content!! Great video and great channel.

[@astrodiver1]

You are the best!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for saying that but even more thanks for watching.

[@davidmclellan7591]

Would love to see a story on Drag boat racers of 1960's I enjoy all of your videos !!! Thank you

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

The Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport is my home dirt track. I had no clue about haugdall exploding his rocket car there

[@brianlohnes3079]

And now ya know! Thanks for watching it!!

[@JD-hh9io]

Another cool video! Is the Blue Flame next?

[@thamesmud]

JATO was used on the Shackleton MK3 which had a pair of RR viper gas turbines to improve take off performance. I once saw a great airshow by a Shack doing low passes and climbing away. They started with one engine at idle and the prop feathered, the last pass had all props feathered, it looked totally surreal as it climbed slowly away with apparently no engines running.

[@oxcart4172]

Really excellent. Subscribed

[@larryburchfield9965]

What I find simply astounding is how many people were killed before a rollbar was invented, then the dozen or so before the driver was protected from flying wheels from wrecked race cars.

[@FASKY2788]

Great stuff, thanX!

[@Cletrac305]

I remember seeing Art Arfons pulling the Green Monster turbine powered pulling tractor at NTPA events, oddly. I never knew of their racing history until decades later.

[@hyperluminalreality1]

Thank you. I enjoy stuff like this. I got to see Art at truck and tractor pulls in the early 80s several times. All in San Diego. One thing, the audio track here has some pretty bad bass plosive sounds. Might want to apply a low cut filter during editing. It is bad enough to be distracting.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Appreciate you checking this out and yeah, I am 100% going to work on that audio wise for the next one. Thanks for the constructive criticism.

[@procatprocat9647]

3:00. THEY DIDNT KNOW HOW A WING WORKS !!! Crazy to see a regular aeroplane wing mid mounted on a car. Absolutely mental. They were lucky to live (If they did. My jaw dropped soni paused at 3mins in)

[@brianlohnes3079]

(They lived) haha

[@procatprocat9647]

​@brianlohnes3079 it just shows how naive people were at that time. That wing looks horrendous at the speeds they were travelling at. It's more like a birds lift wing. I reckon that's the only thing that kept him alive - the wing was simply separating and creating drag with zero lift. Mental 😂

[@RespectableMayonnaise]

Might want to get in touch with the channel scarf and goggles, he specializes in land speed history and is currently doing a series on the restoration of the first car to go 200 mph alongside I believe the national motor museum in Beaulieu UK. Would make for a cool collaboration!

[@brianlohnes3079]

His channel rules!

[@roberthawxhurst3717]

Brian your using the inside the turbine industry pronunciation of "turbin" is evidence of your incredible knowledge. Another well researched and detailed podcast for the history "books".

[@brianlohnes3079]

I’ve been educated well by guys who know stuff. Thanks for noticing that.

[@Cantsaydog]

The movie world’s fastest Indian is one of my favorites And they couldn’t have picked a better actor 💯✊🇺🇸

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

Awesome vid!!! 👍😊💥

[@gordocarbo]

800 plus cubes and those speeds with 1920 tech...and tires. Holy carp Those guys had big brass ones!!! Probably didnt know any better, best tech of the day. Or didnt care!

[@peterrenn6341]

Great video! There is/was some debate about the legality (in record sanctioning terms) of solid fuel rocket power, as it isn't fully controlled by the driver. 'Light them and hang on' isn't the same as throttle control, even if they are sequenced. The Blue Flame COULD throttle its fuel supply and that, plus an excellent design (and sufficient fuel) made it a success. We can only hope we get to see Bloodhound one day, though it seems ever more unlikely..

[@paul-s3o1y]

Aerojet General in El Dorado Hills my grandfather was a machinist. They got my whole family out of the coal mines of East Tennessee, which was a godsend. The place is still there today. They’re just a chemical manufacturer now.

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Thank you!!

[@satanbane]

"JATO" is correct. "Jet" means propulsion from any kind of hot gas being expelled in a, well, jet, which is what *rockets* do as well as "jet engines". Jets don't have to breathe external air. That's why NASA had the "jet propulsion lab", which was of course concerned with *rocket* propulsion.

[@andrewgillis8572]

Aerojet was Jack Parsons!! incredible if he connects to drag racing - for sure JATO was his creation in Pasadena?

[@matthewp7847]

I was thinking I have never heard JATO mentioned that much without a reference to Jack Parsons, the Strange Angel, being included.

[@NoahSpurrier]

I think “power to the wheels”records for the cars is the most interesting.

[@joshkamp7499]

Regarding the JATO/RATO thing: up until roughly 1950, "jet" referred generally and correctly to the mechanism of thrust propulsion and not its source via turbine engines or rockets. Gas turbines were being developed along a variety of avenues (most interestingly as power recovery and enhancement for the giant piston Aero engines, the rather blurred lines between turbochargers, gas turbines, and gas turbine engines is a fascinating topic until itself, but I digress) and the concept was far from synonymous with "thrust producing aircraft engine" as it is today. In many ways jet was more closely associated with rocket at the time than it was with turbine engines. Think of Jet Propulsion Labratory that was the world leader in rockets through much of the Cold War. All this rambling to say the intended definition was "Thrust Assisted Take Off".

[@brianlohnes3079]

This is a fantastic education. Thank you!

[@joshkamp7499]

@@brianlohnes3079 if we're keeping score, you're still winning. Fantastic treatment of what is often treated as merely a footnote in the greatest hot rodding story of them all.

[@themandolinmaniac]

Are you going to cover the Arfons' pulling tractor efforts? Thanks!

[@gordocarbo]

Coolest thing back then is racing was common for so many families to go spectate help out etc Nobody wants to shut thier phone off and leave the house or the boogeyman night get them! RIP 1/4 mi tracks in Ca

[@Watchingthevideos99]

Very well done. Was there any film ever taken of the Wingfoot doing its thing?

[@brianlohnes3079]

There is some AP newsreel footage, which I would have loved to have included but for copyright reasons I did not.

[@Watchingthevideos99]

@@brianlohnes3079 thank you. I'll have to see if I can find it. Really enjoyed watching your video. An unusual topic! I'm subscribing and checking out some of your other stuff.

[@brianlohnes3079]

@@Watchingthevideos99 appreciate that!!