Mickey Thompson: Fastest Man on Wheels

Mickey Thompson roared out of the hot rodding world of Southern California to become the "Fastest Man on Wheels," when his Pontiac powered Challenger One broke the 400 mph mark at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
This didn't become an official record because of difficulties he encountered on a second run. The speed authorities require a second run and take the average for the record books. This promotional film captures the drama of his attempt.
To license footage:
www.globalimageworks.com/contact
S003

[@TheMNrailfan227]

Listening to those Pontiac V8s is something to behold

[@thefarmboysully]

Just found a picture of my grandpa with mickey next to this car. Apparently he was on the crew. Never knew.

[@KingRoseArchives]

Thanks for sharing.

[@oldmusher]

Mickey never ran the car again, and even refused to sell it. He claimed that his wife told him that if he ran it again she would leave him. The real reason was the rough salt on the course. The Challenger's frame began distorting and cracks were subsequently found in some of the bracing. This caused "handling problems."

[@oonaboona]

Mickey was the man. 406.6 mph non jet powered.

[@Dragonblaster1]

John Cobb did 415mph one-way in 1947 in the piston-engined Railton-Mobil Special. I often hear it say that Mickey Thompson (albeit a true daredevil) was the first over 400, but he wasn't. He only went over 400 in one direction, and Cobb had already done that. And in 1964, Donald Campbell set the first land speed record over 400mph in 1964.

[@xmo552]

@@Dragonblaster1 In 1964 he did it in 1964? 😩

[@Dragonblaster1]

@@xmo552 Yes. John Cobb was the first man to drive over 400 mph in one direction in 1947, but his record was under 400 mph. Micky Thompson duplicated it in 1960. Donald Campbell set the first wheel-driven land speed record over 400 mph in 1964.

[@KingRoseArchives]

@FSTORNG I'll have to go check it out. Thanks for letting us know.

[@davebeedon3424]

The way I understand the rules is that to set an officially-recognized record, the vehicle must make two runs in opposite directions (to negate any tailwind advantage) within one hour over the measured mile. The average of the two runs is the official speed. I think Craig Breedlove was the first to set an official record of more than 400 mph.

[@KingRoseArchives]

Thanks for letting us know. Wish you could post the photo.

[@slab_yo]

this is great

[@adnaanu]

There is something more endearing using a piston engine instead of a jet engine.

[@kurtvoigt5006]

I sat in the cockpit, it was a snug fit as I remember, and I was only above 12 years old.

[@dougauzene8389]

I MET (Mickey, as a 5 y.o.) way B4 We-See LIONS kill! We Miss Ya-Mr. 406 m.p.h!

[@FSTORNG]

I Got see this car in person. An amaizing machine, built by an amaizing person. It is currently on display in the NHRA Museum in Pomona, CA.

[@socalhustler7946]

Your grandfather helped. My grandfather, Fritz Voigt built the engines an 4 transmissions for the original challenger. Bastards a bad ass mechanic. Should have seen his 62 Bette and the 68 440 six pack cuda he had.

[@speedskiff2]

credit that Pontiac wagon dragging 7,000 lbs out and back and acting as push vehicle.

[@scootergeorge9576]

That 389 puts out a lot of torque.

[@kurtvoigt5006]

My father, Fritz Voigt built the engine, a 421 Pontiac. He was Mickey's chief mechanic for 10 years.

[@KingRoseArchives]

@oldmusher Unfortunately, one of his engines blew on the return run. so it's not an official speed record but everyone gave him credit.

[@solomonlynn7456]

The way I heard it, Pontiac was a huge sponsor for this effort, so he claimed "driver error" rather than cast doubt on their products. His sportsmanship produced more sales, which produced more money to go faster.

[@iowa_don]

According to Wikipedia, in 1947 John Cobb went 403 on one of his two runs and averaged 394.19 for the two runs.

[@ztwntyn8]

“Backyard machine” lol riiiiight

[@ArsenalKbca]

Excelente video! Isso é História... tem muita gente que precisa ver isso.... It has some video of Victor Edelbrock in races?

[@MrShobar]

"coffin-like cockpit...". I don't think that is very appropriate here.

[@ztwntyn8]

lol right

[@mattslapstick6703]

Pontiac ,Power !

[@nelsong4719]

I was at Speed Week in 2017 and believe Team Vesco had the record then. Does any body know if the still hold it?

[@packrcch]

a pontiac station wagon pulling a car with pontiac engines.

[@dereklarsen4626]

Pontiac power....!

[@packrcch]

absolutely....even the tow car.

[@scootergeorge9576]

@@packrcch - But GM was NOT sponsoring motor racing. ; )

[@cindys1819]

As you how this remember that the "record" in land speed is controlled by an organization based OUTSIDE the U.S. And they set the "rules" as they see fit.....There was no official differentiation between cars individual developed or owned and mega buck (or pounds) aero or industrial engine car which are perennially owned or driven by english Playboy's....Mickey remains a real American Hero Always. RIP. Mickey and Judy

[@rotax636nut5]

Yeah and the British 'play boy' John Cobb was nearly this fast almost 100 years ago.. and you think that a couple of 1920's era Napier Lion engines gave some advantage over a pair of modern nitro burning computer controlled hemi engines each of which cost more than Cobb's whole car? you Yanks are just dreamers and preeners

[@wilfriedvandecruys4195]

👍❤️

[@olsonspeed]

Wheel-driven records sre far more difficult to attain than jet powered and should never be directly cpmpared.

[@alexander1485]

reply to oonaboona - before 1960 even!

[@oldmusher]

@Perranporth He didn't get the record! He set the one way record. The actual record was 403. something. Then....HE NEVER RAN IT AGAIN. WTF???

[@Dragonblaster1]

He didn't even set the one-way record. John Cobb in 1947 set the record at 396mph... but the FIRST run was 415mph. Cobb was the first man t drive over 400mph one way.

[@Perranporth]

I know rules are rules, but it seems so unfair. He got the fastest speed at that time - but it doesn't because he didn't go both ways. Perhaps we should try that one with the police. The next time they stop you for speeding, say "Well I was only going one way!"

[@cindys1819]

Well, the "record" is controlled by an organization based OUTSIDE of the United States. The FIA. Let's hear three cheers for one world folks. Of course, there is no official differentiation between a car built by an individual owner and a huge mega buck (or Pounds) aircraft engine car perennially driven by English Playboy's...just the access to ministry or defense wind tunnel R&D alone....

[@Dragonblaster1]

Well, if that was unfair, it was unfair on John Cobb, who set the record at 396mph in 1947... but the first run IN ONE DIRECTION was 415mph - faster than Mickey Thompson's single-way 406.6mph run that is often incorrectly stated as the first over 400.

[@Odysseus777]

Wow a 10 year old comment

[@melendresgeoffrey5769]

The carbon dioxide from the exhaust nearly killed him in his first run ... d:O

[@scootergeorge9576]

Carbon monoxide.

[@scootergeorge9576]

It was not an official record because a second run, in the opposite direction was not made. Something broke on the car. And as far as I know, Thompson never attempted to break Cobb's record. Does anyone know why he didn't make another attempt?

[@bmfincthebest1826]

The frame was fucked up

[@karma4553]

The challenger wasn't safe enough and scared the hell out of mickey! At least that's what he told his x-partner from earley 50s till 1960.Also mickeys father deserves alot of credit that never gets mentioned.

[@bs1320]

If you have ever seen this car in person (it's on display at the NHRA Museum in Pomona, CA) you'll see that besides being the world's fastest man he also have had to had the world's largest testicles to drive it!