Railton Mobil Special - John Cobb's Radical Land Speed Record Breaker

[@daweshorizon]

I think the FIA should pass a ruling that in all future land speed record attempts, the driver must wear a collar and tie at all times, even in the desert. Standards must be maintained old boy! Absolutely brilliant presentation of this epic battle between Cobb and Eyston. I am in awe of the engineering skills and sheer ingenuity of these men and their teams of dedicated people who wanted to do something extraordinary, be the fastest! Mind is suitably blown. Thank you for sharing this amazing footage. Love and peace.

[@PharaohDeathMask]

Scarf and Goggles, your videos are fabulous. No dominating music, lots of old images and a great narrator. Just perfect!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Wow, thank you!

[@plunder1956]

After watching several of your videos again, as I have watched them often over the last few years. I have come to appreciate the quietly understated quality of the Voice over, combined with your smooth editing of what must be hard to find stills and film. As a video maker myself I know how difficult your fine work must have been. I consider it a fine tribute to these courageous and dedicated men of speed. Well done. I am sure John Cobb and the others would approve.

[@johnny5805]

25 years as a the fastest land vehicle ? Is that a record in of itself ? Thrust SSC has had it for 24 years. But Cobb's record is from an era when the record was highly competitive, unlike today. Which makes it even more remarkable.

[@M_03256]

Technically 25 yeras since Cobbs 1947 record of 394 mph fell to Donald Campbell and his CN7 Bluebird car in 1964. But i would say the Railton Special was the fastest for 21 years. At Bonneville in 1960 Mickey Thompson broke John Cobbs 1947 one way run of 403 with his run of 406.6 mph, though Mickey never broke Cobbs record since mechanical issues with his Challenger 1 prevented a return run.

[@loddude5706]

Excellent work, & beautifully put together, thank you.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thank you!

[@MarkBlackburnWPG]

Absolutely superb. And at just under 20 minutes, a joy to watch -- like most everything from Scarf and Goggles. Thanks for sharing this informed, informative feature on the first car to surpass 400 mph at Bonneville (briefly at the end of its first run) and a combined two way average of 394 mph. The year of my birth, 1947. My Birmingham born grandfather told me about it when I was little -- instilling in me a life-long love of superlatives. Love it that it ended up in a museum in Birmingham! Deepest thanks for sharing this terrific feature - the best of its kind.

[@boktor74]

One of the best channels on KZbin in my opinion, and with a very pleasant narrator. Keep up the good work👌

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Wow, thank you!

[@oddyseus99]

Love your productions. Proper "Boy's Own" stuff. Thank you.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Much appreciated!

[@buffaloj0e]

Absolutely fantastic LSR and WSR content. I can’t believe the period photos you find. Your videos are throughly researched compelling watching. Thanks

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Many thanks!

[@marcbee1234]

@@ScarfAndGoggles I'd love to know how many man hours went into the research and production of this video?!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

@@marcbee1234 Hard to say exactly - I did a lot of research over the summer, but I would guess about a week or so scripting, about the same gathering materials and maybe 3-4 days editing. I delayed working on the video as I intended to visit the car in Birmingham for pics etc but Covid lockdowns put a stop to that.

[@andrewhunt3659]

Exceptional work about a true Golden Age.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks so much!

[@aspiceronni4462]

I love these videos about the fearless men that piloted these monsters to new heights. Bravo.

[@jeffallinson8089]

That was a fabulous insight in what has to be the most beautiful land speed record breaking car; just look at the thing; it is exquisite and a testament to the genius of Reid Railton. Thanks again for this amazing story.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Correct in every way. I've visited The Railton at Birminghams Museum. Although it is very interesting be able to see all the workings, beneath that fabulous Skin. I felt a little disappointed / frustrated, at not seeing her with her clothes on, on the ground also. Perhaps a Full-size mock-up alongside? ( just dreaming).

[@62swampboy62]

Very well done video. I love hearing about the LSR battles of this era.

[@jimsmith7475]

Railton Special and Thunderbolt the two most epic wheel driven land speed vehicles in history. What a video....... Have you ever thought about doing videos on land speed motorcycles?

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks for you comment. I must admit I haven't considered motorcycles, apart from maybe telling the story of Burt Munro. Don't know much about LSR motorcycles - perhaps I'd better start researching the subject!

[@budakcekeding2409]

Thank you for another great documentary. The details are just amazing, to say the least!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Gois83]

I absolutely love your technical overview of the cars, the record attempts, everything! I'm always looking forward for your videos, absolutely mega!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks - more to come!

[@owensmith7530]

Fantastic video as ever, I have enjoyed them all. Research and design details for the cars are much appreciated. How you only have 17,000 subscribers I will never understand.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you like them!

[@anthonypetty9288]

Thank you for sharing this. My grandfather was a Squadron Leader with the RAF (non-flying) and worked with John Cobb when they were both Liaison Officers between the RAF and USAF. Nice to know more information to fill in gaps. I only wish my grandfather had lived longer so that I could have heard some of his stories.

[@mpersad]

A terrific video. Great research and use of archive film. Very impressive!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Many thanks!

[@blxtothis]

Another superb presentation from S&G, his videos take me back to the Castrol, Shell, Esso etc motor sport clips that accompanied films at the cinema and filled in gaps on weekend TV when live Sport was called off due to bad weather. I always enjoyed those more than the intended programmes as a kid, The Auto Union and Daimler Benz record cars of the day follow almost identical aerodynamic principles and shapes though the Railton is so elegant one has to suspect that it set the template for all that followed.

[@markewins9662]

Love this car. So beautiful. I am from Birmingham, and still live hear. As a small child, my Dad would take me and my brother sometimes to the Birmingham Science museum in Birmingham town centre ( sadly closed many years ago ). This car was upstairs on top floor of museum. For some reason it used to scare me, and my brother would tease me, and I would start crying. It looked so scary to me. Later in life I would go to that museum just to see this car. I would stand for ages looking at it and thinking how beautiful it looks, and marvel at the engineering behind it. I would love to hear those engines fire up again.

[@MrDaiseymay]

I saw it there too, and Later at the new ''Think Tank'' museum. I prefered to old one frankly, although they have a Spitfire hanging from the roof also .

[@psychlops924]

This is a seriously under appreciated channel. High quality work, as always.

[@MrDaiseymay]

then spread the word, and share, as I do

[@brentritchie6199]

Wonderful video, I can't believe the increase in speed from Golden Arrow to Cobbs car in such a short time. They added more than 100mph in just a few years amazing.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stephenmorse342]

Excellent, informative and impeccably presented. A great series.

[@marcosusani9912]

Again a great video. I truely enjoy watching your productions. For one who is fascinated by land speed record attempts since his childhood, these videos are real pearls.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thank you very much!

[@bigrobnz]

love this channel.....

[@OurCognitiveSurplus]

The main lesson from this channel is “don’t try to break the water speed record”

[@johndoyle4723]

Thank you an excellent story well portrayed in your video.The water speed record is a killer. These guys had balls of steel. You have prompted me to visit Birmingham and see the beast. I have been to Beaulieu to see the other amazing record breakers.

[@MrBuckners]

Thank you so much for putting this wonderful series on the land speed record together. It is most informative and I love seeing the visual resources you have presented.

[@gtv6chuck]

After watching your videos I was inspired to buy a set of 5 LSR car models - Bluebird, Spirit of America Sonic I, Thrust 2, Thrust SSC and this car. Thank you for teaching me so much about these cars. This was the one I knew the least about, so thank you so much for teaching me all about it.

[@CullenCraft]

Incredible video! Well done! Love these old land speed record cars.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@completelyboringstuff204]

Absolutely great in both facts enquiry and narration. Thanks for your excellent work!

[@MrDaiseymay]

SO--not COMPLETLY Boring then ?

[@dmndave]

Fascinating, as are all your videos.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Many thanks!

[@matthewphillips1728]

Thanks for sharing,an brilliantly done.

[@wunkskorks2623]

These are great videos. You really do great work. Hope it brings you success, man.

[@martiniv8924]

Lost count of how many times I have gazed at the Railton Mobil special in the museum of science and industry 👌🏻😎

[@olspanner]

Thank you for this fabulous insight to Reid Railton and John Cobb.

[@mikalliz2167]

Amazing old school engineering

[@barack_obanter]

Amazing doc, great that you've got so much footage of all these LSRs

[@NigelMarston]

I've seen this car numerous times at the Birmingham Science and subsequently Thinktank museums. It's as impressive to me now in my mid-50s as it was when I was still 8yo... maybe moreso as I've had a limited foray into motorsports and maybe can appreciate the engineering more than ever.

[@MrDaiseymay]

The Body was raised above the Chassis and mechanics, when I last saw it at the Think -Tank. I was disappointed by this, as i wanted to see it in a completed state, as I had as a boy, in many photographs , (and Cigarette Cards ). They had a complete Spitfire hanging from the roof too, etc etc Well worth a visit

[@armandoj.acevedoosorio4516]

EXCELLENT PRESENTATION, AND THANKS FOR THIS HISTORY!!!

[@tomlaugharne4379]

Just found this channel Fantastic

[@78jota]

Such a fantastic and informative film, well done and keep them coming, thank you

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@californiadreaming9216]

Hello S&G greetings from Canada. Excellent story, fascinating automotive history, thanks for sharing. I applaud Cobbs' methodology: design, build, test incrementally, improve, re-test, repeat. This is the correct, safe, scientific approach to success, the same used by government agencies when developing new vehicles and technologies. Old saying: there are no shortcuts on the highway to success. Having not known what was Cobbs' ultimate fate, I cringed when heard about fast boats. Quitting when you are ahead is NOT the same as quitting. I truly wish Cobbs had avoided water speed attempts. Water is merciless and unforgiving; loss-of-control occurrences are ALWAYS worse on water than on land. At least this brave pioneer died pursuing what he truly loved. That offers some solace. Rest in peace Mr Cobbs.

[@doronron7323]

Yes. a sad tale indeed. Cobb served throughout and survived a world war, fighting for the country he loved. Unfortunately, he died doing what he loved.

[@peteburness944]

Yet again another great video with plenty of detail, thank you...

[@v8pilot]

I remember seeing the car in Birmingham Science Museum in the 1960s. An impressive thing about it was that it was a docile car that could be driven at low speed around a race track to show it to the spectators.

[@theponkster]

Thank you for a great video - as a boy I used to go to the sience museum (in Birmingham) most Saturdays and gaze at this car in total wonder.

[@davesmith5731]

Seagrave/Cobb/Campbell all land speed record holders all die on water.this was the most beautiful of all record breaking car designs.Reid Railton was an absolute perfectionist.

[@beany1987]

Love these detailed uploads excellent content and show case for great engineering.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thank you very much!

[@davidcook6064]

Excellent, well reseached and produced documentary. Many thanks.

[@bucketslash11]

i've been waiting for this edit: 250mph without a body!

[@IndyHepburn]

Absolutely mad hey!😅😅

[@darrylcampbell4411]

Cheers Bro . that was all super interesting. I love the history of these record breaking supermen and the people behind the builds. Awesome machines for their time. Awesome machines even by todays standards.

[@monteiro5306]

Awesome video. Amazing job. Greetings from a Brazilian subscriber.

[@AaronSpielman]

Another fantastic doc. Thank you so much!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

My pleasure!

[@gtheritage]

Another excellent vid Scarfie. We are fortunate that the potential of fitting ac engines to Brooklands Racers was seen early on due to them seeming pitifully slow with standard engines! Fortunate also that we went down the route of high performance inline V ac engines while the Americans, with a couple of exceptions like the Liberty, went down the route of the simpler and cheaper radial ac engine which couldn't be fitted practically in a car. Hence the yanks took a back seat at Daytona and Bonneville until Breedlove arrived in '63.

[@stevenclarke5606]

I grew up in Birmingham during the 60s and 70s and I saw this car many times, as it was on permanent display at the science museum . The body shell was suspended above the car so that the incredible engineering could be seen. I remember that the tyres were solid rubber fitted to solid alloy rims .

[@rosewhite---]

I didn't realise the tyres were solid! Campbells tyres were smoking and down to the textile cords after his run!

[@doronron7323]

I've had the little Lledo model of this car on my desk for more years than I care to remember. The fixtures and fittings have come and gone, but this little reminder of a bygone age remains. I never tire of gazing at its classic streamlined form, surely the epitome of subsonic windcheating. I saw the real car in Birmingham in the mid 1970's, where it was definitely looking rather neglected; I do hope it isn't any worse today.

[@bccev770]

Top notch video!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks!

[@888johnmac]

i could watch this channel all day , well researched & very informative

[@edwardfletcher7790]

This design was pure genius, years ahead of any other car ! I can't believe he was wearing one of those leather pilots caps ! wow

[@oikkuoek]

So.. This is the fastest gear driven piston engine car. Ever. Interesting. Thank you for the video!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

You’re welcome! Yes and no - the Railton was the last piston-engined car to hold the absolute land speed record, but other piston-engined cars went faster later on to hold the wheel-driven class of the record once the jet cars dominated the absolute record, eg Goldenrod (1965) and later cars. I’m hoping to do a video about Goldenrod before long.

[@oikkuoek]

@@ScarfAndGoggles Thank you for clarifying that, and definitely looking forward to learn more about this subject!

[@trappenweisseguy27]

The Goldenrod is my favourite LSR car. The funny thing is that there is almost no footage of it here on KZbin. I remember some rumours within the past two years about thoughts of getting it out of retirement. I strongly believe that with modern engines, or at least modern tuning, that it would be competitive for the current wheel driven record.

[@OO-xc7zg]

Outstanding! Thanks 👍👍

[@repetitivemotion]

Absolutely fascinating my man! I was born a racer and I love this channel.

[@davidives7997]

I live 1.5 miles from Brooklands Surrey. Fascinating stuff. "Never was so much owed"... etc etc

[@tonyb9735]

A fabulous documentary, thank you.

[@russellnixon9981]

Enjoyed this. What a remarkable man and storey, thanks for bringing this great achievement to our attention, This was a well told and made documentary. It would be great to see more of MG's speed attempts.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks for your comment - glad you enjoyed the video! I hope to cover the MG EX181 etc in a future video.

[@jepolch]

Another fascinating video. Thank you!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@elroyfudbucker6806]

A at 4:02, Eyston looks like one of the Monty Python "Gumby" characters. Looking at the Railton car, I can see where Donald Campbell got his idea for Bluebird's shape.

[@peterrenn6341]

Another superb video - thank you for your (considerable) efforts!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

My pleasure!

[@drh6808]

I have in my possession about 400 drawings for these cars originally from Thompson and Taylor . Including chassis blueprints for the twin wheeled Bluebird and Cobb's Railton Special and others. I will sell if a worthy home can be found.

[@PurityVendetta]

I would love to just see your collection. How did you come by such treasures if you don't mind me asking? I do hope any buyer you find would keep them in the UK and perhaps make them available for study in perhaps a digital form in order that people like me can see them. Oh if only I had the funds...

[@drh6808]

@@PurityVendetta Hello Sophie I acquired the drawings after they were thrown in to a waste skip by the Council, who's employees were clearing the house of a deceased engineer who had worked many years before at T&T. The chap who rescued them, directly from the skip sold some and retained some, the latter came to my attention through someone who knew both the finder and me. I am a life long car enthusiast ( I'm now 79) Vintage car restorer, collector and amateur historian. I bought the drawings and they are now part of my quite large archive of car history. I hope to find a home for my whole collection one day. Perhaps my son will take it on. Best regards David

[@beaudeeley]

Would you please consider posting images of a couple of the drawings online for those of us who will otherwise never get to see them?

[@stevenclarke5606]

I remember seeing this car during the 60s and 70s , it was on permanent display in the Birmingham science museum. The body shell was suspended over the car. It looked an amazing piece of engineering.

[@madcarew.3256]

Yup remember it as s kid.

[@AtheistOrphan]

That’s right, just like it shows in the video.

[@installwebercarburetorsona6159]

great stuff as always

[@densalbeach1]

Interesting, factual and educational!

[@MartsGarage]

Thanks for putting this together. It's a fascinating story and a fantastic car. I remember seeing it in Birmingham Science museum when I was just a nipper. I could see it was something out of the ordinary. That and the Spitfire were the things that stuck in my mind. All the best, Mart in Solihull.

[@commotoed]

Fantastic, thank you!

[@foadrightnow5725]

Absolutely fascinating and thoroughly entertaining mini-documentary! Concise, yet quite informative. Well Done! Liked and subbed!

[@f-xdemers2825]

Propulsion coming from the wheels is required for claiming a car speed record. Surface skimming wingless jets are not cars. The acheivement is in the constraint. Hats off to those guys,

[@MrDaiseymay]

YES, BUT DIFFERENT, IF NOT LESS, COMPLICATED,

[@rstone286]

Saw Brooklands circuit. Subscribed. Watched the rest of it - top hole and no regrets!!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Welcome aboard!

[@martiniv8924]

I looked over that car many many times as a child 👌🏻😎

[@kennitheames401]

As you know that world record of this car still stands as the fastest true 4x4 car in the world

[@minimism]

Wasn't Goldenrod four wheel drive too?

[@andrewmcphee8965]

Great stuff, thanks so much!

[@angatuedward6580]

Thanks for this great upload. I respect Cobb and his designs. I am building a vehicle body similar to Mobil Special but I will need a simpler engine than those deadly monsters. I wouldn't want to control a vehicle with that crazy idle speed...may Cobb rest in perfect peace.

[@jeffcanyafixiy]

Wow!! How is it I'm just finding this channel!! Great story, looking forward exploring more. New sub! 👍🏁👍🏁

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for your comment!

[@chrisknight6884]

Extremely good. I very much enjoyed your work!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thank you very much!

[@1978BenF]

Another great video!

[@patrickirby9825]

Always amazingly written and delivered.

[@GreasyBelcher]

Amazing channel.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thank you!

[@stevemcnair-wilson6106]

Brilliant

[@rocklover7437]

Really enjoyed that video

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thank you!

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

Wanna die trying to set a speed record, go play in the water. If in the air I've been told a P 38 Lightning is a good choice as well, a very fast and unforgiving aircraft. The crusader looked too short, giving it too little stability, shame Cobb was killed in it. The Railton special is from a time when aerodynamics were as much as what looked right as they were what was tested. The thing is amazing, especially all the engineering in the drivelines. I can hardly imagine how it sounded going at speed. I wonder if had Cobb survived, if he would have continued into the golden age of speed on the salt of the 60's into the 70's. Those were remarkable times.

[@evilelf5967]

amazing,will have to go see this marvelous car....

[@ianurag5589]

Brother just one request please upload frequently.

[@tom4786]

As a kid in the 50's we had an old edition of the encyclopedia Americana with an article and picture of this car. When I looked it up a few years ago I was saddened to find out Cobb had dried in a boat race. I would have preferred to have not known.

[@larryscott3982]

Did anyone notice in the opening photo: the airplane, in lower right, is upside down?

[@seanwalsh4142]

I watched in Australia and it seems the right way up.

[@superlegoboysz]

Ha, thanks for pointing that one out

[@larryscott3982]

@@seanwalsh4142 Did you notice the upside down car?

[@rosewhite---]

Yes. I thought at first glance it was a Hawker and it turns out to have been a Hawker Hart.

[@yakacm]

I love that way every photo of an earlier 20th century daredevil, has to include a small boy in school uniform, lol.

[@brucejackson4219]

very interesting: beautiful visually car and superbly engineered.

[@evalonious]

Just landed what's up yall! Amazing history compiled here!

[@chubscub]

Looking at the slow motion footage on the lake at 17:50 it looks like the pontoons stayed pretty much level and the centre section rotated into the water. Looks like structural failure rather than bobbing on ripples of the water

[@danielneuenschwander7381]

A very good video but no mention of The Summers Brothers record in Goldenrod in between Donald Campbell and Craig Breedlove.

[@MarkBlackburnWPG]

Yes. With four, 426 hemi engines, and the narrowest profile of any car to date: "Like a knitting needle on wheels," someone called it. In its own way the most beautiful, apart from the Railton Special.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks for your comment! I didn't mention Goldenrod because the absolute Land Speed Record had moved on (thanks to jet power) into the 500+ mph region by the time Goldenrod set the wheel-driven record in Nov 1965. Goldenrod's own record stood for over 42 years, but by 1965 the huge speeds made possible by jets and rockets had sadly relegated wheel-driven cars to a class of speed record rather than the title of absolute Land Speed Record. I'm researching the story of Goldenrod at the minute - whether I can put together a decent video depends on me finding enough photos and video to show while I'm narrating the story!

[@rosewhite---]

@@ScarfAndGoggles Goldenrod was let down by a sheared drive shaft and the Brother couldn't get sponsors to try again. They had an engineering shop making super precision back axle shafts for dragsters. Goldenrod's four hemis probably weighed 1.5 tons withour gearboxes. To understand weight-power-speed just remember back in 1962 John Sconfienza went to Bonneville as a spectator and decided to try his Aston DB4GT and went 139 with 240 hp and weight of 3000 pounds. Identical car tested by The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of 139.3 mph in Uk - perhaps showing how consistent the SU carbs could adjust to the air density up at Bonneville. Cobb and Goldenrod went just 3 times faster with 10 times the power showing how top speed depends on aerodynamics above and below the car. As Noble's latest is struggling to get over 800 I think there is something weird happening with aerodynamics of cars as the same engines can push planes twices as heavy to Mach 2.

[@xOwlK]

These videos are so good like bro wtf actually fire stuff keep it up 🔥