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

The story of Brooklands racer John Cobb's pursuit of the land speed record, in a futuristic twin-engined car designed by engineering genius Reid Railton.
FURTHER READING
I buy a lot of books! Here are a selection of books that have inspired me or have been useful in my research.
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Railton: Man Of Speed by Karl Ludvigsen
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Thrust: The Remarkable Story of One Man's Quest for Speed by Richard Noble
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Goldenrod: The Resurrection of America's Speed King by John Baechtel
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Speed Duel by Samuel Hawley
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The History Of Speed by Martin Roach
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Donald Campbell: The Man Behind The Mask by David Tremayne
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Bluebird and the Dead Lake: The Classic Account of how Donald Campbell broke the World Land Speed Record by John Pearson
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Leap into Legend: Donald Campbell and the Complete Story of the World Speed Records by Steve Holter
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Bluebird CN7: The Inside Story of Donald Campbell's Last Land Speed Record Car by Donald Stevens
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Parry Thomas: The First Driver to be Killed in Pursuit of the Land Speed Record by Hugh Tours
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Quest For Speed: The Epic Saga of Record-Breaking On Land by Barry John
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The Fast Set: Three Extraordinary Men and Their Race for the Land Speed Record by Charles Jennings
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Man Against the Salt by Harvey Shapiro
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Ultimate Speed: The Fast Life and Extreme Cars of Racing Legend Craig Breedlove by Samuel Hawley
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Infinity Over Zero: Meditations on Maximum Velocity by Cole Coonce
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Speedquest: Inside the Blue Flame by Richard Keller
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Crusader: John Cobb's ill-fated quest for speed on water by Steve Holter
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Archive: Brooklands Museum, AP, Pathe, Autocar, Dunlop, Dianne Sweeney, Yachting World, Peter Sargent, Vosper and Company - used under Fair Deal / Fair Use. Copyright in all other material acknowledged.
Oxygen Garden by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: chriszabriskie.com/divider/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/

[@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.

[@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.

[@OurCognitiveSurplus]

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

[@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.

[@andrewhunt3659]

Exceptional work about a true Golden Age.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks so much!

[@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!

[@aspiceronni4462]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@oddyseus99]

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

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Much appreciated!

[@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.

[@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.

[@bucketslash11]

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

[@IndyHepburn]

Absolutely mad hey!😅😅

[@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.

[@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 .

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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,

[@bigrobnz]

love this channel.....

[@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!

[@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.

[@martiniv8924]

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

[@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.

[@budakcekeding2409]

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

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mpersad]

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

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Many thanks!

[@yakacm]

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

[@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

[@psychlops924]

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

[@MrDaiseymay]

then spread the word, and share, as I do

[@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?

[@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!

[@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.

[@killerkane1957]

Very well done. Thank you.

[@davidives7997]

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

[@installwebercarburetorsona6159]

great stuff as always

[@commotoed]

Fantastic, thank you!

[@andrewmcphee8965]

Great stuff, thanks so much!

[@1978BenF]

Another great video!

[@OO-xc7zg]

Outstanding! Thanks 👍👍

[@patrickirby9825]

Always amazingly written and delivered.

[@tonyb9735]

A fabulous documentary, thank you.

[@TheMrmmkkpro]

Amazing work, the never ending quest for speed. Very detailed and well presented, glad I found your channel. Subbed. 🏁🏁

[@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.

[@evilelf5967]

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

[@888johnmac]

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

[@peteburness944]

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

[@armandoj.acevedoosorio4516]

EXCELLENT PRESENTATION, AND THANKS FOR THIS HISTORY!!!

[@tomlaugharne4379]

Just found this channel Fantastic

[@barack_obanter]

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

[@davidcook6064]

Excellent, well reseached and produced documentary. Many thanks.

[@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.

[@foadrightnow5725]

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

[@matthewphillips1728]

Thanks for sharing,an brilliantly done.

[@martiniv8924]

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

[@olspanner]

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

[@stephenmorse342]

Excellent, informative and impeccably presented. A great series.

[@wunkskorks2623]

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

[@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?

[@CullenCraft]

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

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jepolch]

Another fascinating video. Thank you!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AaronSpielman]

Another fantastic doc. Thank you so much!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

My pleasure!

[@rocklover7437]

Really enjoyed that video

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thank you!

[@brucejackson4219]

very interesting: beautiful visually car and superbly engineered.

[@peterrenn6341]

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

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

My pleasure!

[@completelyboringstuff204]

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

[@MrDaiseymay]

SO--not COMPLETLY Boring then ?

[@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.

[@chrisknight6884]

Extremely good. I very much enjoyed your work!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thank you very much!

[@densalbeach1]

Interesting, factual and educational!

[@dmndave]

Fascinating, as are all your videos.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Many thanks!

[@beany1987]

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

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thank you very much!

[@repetitivemotion]

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

[@bccev770]

Top notch video!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks!

[@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.

[@monteiro5306]

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

[@Electriceye1984bySam]

Love your channel please post more vids soon! Thank you sir👏🏻😁🇺🇸

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks so much for your support! New content coming on July 1st, with an American theme!

[@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.

[@GreasyBelcher]

Amazing channel.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

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.

[@HoosierHacker]

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.

[@rstone286]

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

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Welcome aboard!

[@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!

[@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.

[@xOwlK]

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

[@stevemcnair-wilson6106]

Brilliant

[@mcseforsale]

Gread videos....subscribed. I hate that the wheel driven records don't still hold the same meaning. That sucks.

[@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.

[@mtbalpinecounty]

Great knowledge for us Youngers!..6×10..

[@zaxpage9003]

Very cool!

[@kevinrice4909]

blimey mate crazy Englishman Sterling video here here!

[@benj1584]

Great job. 1 new subscriber.

[@evalonious]

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