Goldenrod - All American Speed Machine

[@bobmcl2406]

Another well researched and beautifully presented piece. Thanks for continuing to pay tribute to LSR history.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrShobar]

As a ten year old, I met the Summers Brothers in 1966 when they made a presentation at my father's Rotary Club. They showed a short 16mm silent film and provided the annotation themselves while it was shown. I remember seeing Bill crying in the film after it was confirmed that the record had been set. It was the first time that I became aware that men could cry if they were happy. I wonder where that film is today?

[@danielneuenschwander7381]

Correction to your reference to the Lockheed Engineer: His name is Walter Korff. He did publish several SAE papers on automobile aerodynamics, including the design and building of the Goldenrod. I was the last crewchief on Bill Summers' lakester that he bought in 2007, but he was never able to complete it to see it run prior to his passing in 2011. Bill had shared with me some of the trials and tribulations of the 9 runs that Goldenrod made. Bill sold his share of the Summers Brothers Racing Parts business to Bob & his wife Becky. Becky continued to run the business after Bob's death in 1992. Al Teague did break Bob's record in 1991, but it was not by the 1% rule as dictated by the FIA at that time. A very good video, and thank you for presenting this.

[@pobinr]

Great vid. And no irritating background music is a bonus

[@bstrachan8527]

Right on!!

[@sfcretired1166]

Brought back some wonderful memories of living in those days and following those competitions.

[@mkendallpk4321]

I found the content to be enlightening on a subject I know little about. Also you make your videos interesting and avoid boring your audience. Thank you for your hard work.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

I appreciate that! Thank you

[@peterrenn6341]

Super video - as always! I had a nice chat with Bill Summers at that Goodwood display. He told me how Bob had to use both hands to change gear, as the linkage was so heavy. He was letting go of the wheel at over 200mph...

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Brave man!

[@davidhaynes3126]

I saw Golden Rod on display at the Science Center in Toronto around 1980. It was cool just to see it sitting there

[@SolamenteVees]

The car is just lovely to look at. A testament to a simpler time when two brothers from California could literally build something in their garage and take on the rest of world.

[@timferriss905]

I spoke with bill summers at the nsra super nats. I found him to be a quiet spoken man very modest. Just to stand next to this awesome piece of history gave me goosebumps. Thanks for this piece of history. Very well presented.

[@TheMrmmkkpro]

I remember the Spirit of America as a kid, it toured the country back then. It's imprinted in my memory. Great work. 👍👍🏁🏁💪💪

[@alaeriia01]

"The record breakers of the time typically held large aero engines under their bodywork." The record breakers now also hold large aeroplane engines, just of a different sort.

[@RetNemmoc555]

I saw Goldenrod on display at a shopping center when I was a kid. I must have known what it was because I remember feeling like I met a celebrity.

[@Robutube1]

Superb as always. The standard of research and presentation that you achieve is remarkably high. Thank you!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Many thanks!

[@williamfeilhauer2667]

@@ScarfAndGoggles met and talked to Craig Breedlove in Cincinnati cavalcade of customs. It was the 600mph spirit of America looked like a jet minus wings the vertical stableiser was incredible. I still have the snapshots of Craig and I. God rest his soul.

[@marclevesque3147]

This author never disappoints, another gem of a documentary on speed record breaking!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks for your support!

[@billymania11]

The streamliner Goldenrod was a legend. In the Guinness Book of World Records, Goldenrod was noted as the fastest wheel driven car year after year for like 4 decades. Growing out of that era, I was proud that something from my youth was still considered the best. Now the car rests at the Henry Ford museum. I hope to see it before I pass on.

[@paulthompson8613]

Been waiting for this one , well worth the wait . Art Arfons story is still my favourite

[@maxpowers5628]

Just wonderful. Thanks.

[@reep1977]

Again a great story. Thanks

[@Yosemite-George-61]

Amazing video... the best narration ever... impartial, eclectic and elocuent. A few things: How they managed to keep the chassis from flexing? The Chrysler hand built engines surely ended up on the cars belonging to some high management spoiled children... Hats off to Henry Ford Museum for buying a Chrysler record car and restoring it. Keep at it!

[@bcgrittner8076]

Yeah! I remember when that happened. I also remember reading about the Goldenrod restoration project. Great video.

[@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245]

There’s a Dutch 90’s psych rock band called 35007 where they had this car as the album art!

[@themelancholicpaganmusicco2980]

Wow, thought I was the only one on earth who knew about that band. Found that record here in the states a couple months back.

[@alan-sk7ky]

I've been waiting for this one, 🙂 thanks.

[@jepolch]

I always enjoy your videos. Thank you!

[@zounds010]

Another excellent video. And thanks for providing the metric measurements as text popups.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

You're welcome!

[@calgiordano2724]

Please do a video on the Infinity Jet Car. I have not seen a KZbin video on the subject and there is very limited information online. Very interesting design. Thank you.

[@hubertmantz1516]

So interesting! I didn’t know anything about the existence of Golden Rod! Brilliant video 👌 thanks so very much! Truly enjoyable and educational ✅

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@deborahpriestley4739]

Thanks a lot! I love all your videos and always look forward to more.

[@peterherrington3300]

Probably the most informative , engaging , well produced & narrated channel on KZbin. Proud to be a subscriber 👏👏

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks so much for your comment - your support is appreciated!

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

As a Dane I did see the Goldenrod during a car-exhibition in the sixties, in Cph. I still remember the actually very wide car from then!

[@rotax636nut5]

I never knew this, thank you for posting

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks for watching

[@andrewmcphee8965]

A very well produced video, thank you very much!

[@ozyrocket]

Excellently delivered content as always... Thank you very much

[@cincoljay]

I applaud your detailed and information rich report. Another one done at a standard others cannot duplicate. Thank you. I enjoy watching and listening each and every time I replay them. And least 3x each and my favorites many more. Be well

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Wow, thank you!

[@chuckbrasch4575]

Fantastic video guys. I remember years ago I used to drive past the Summers shop. Sometimes they would be 'testing' the engines... What a sound! ! ! I lived only about 6 miles from their shop......

[@wildcolonialman]

Remarkable, and fabulous. Fabulous engineers.

[@Grumpy_Stiltskin]

My best friend and I, on our way back to Colorado from California, stopped at a gas station in the middle of nowhere Utah. A pickup truck pulling a strange looking trailer pulled in for a fill up. You guessed it, inside was Goldenrod on it's way to a carshow in Salt Lake City. We had never heard of it and the driver was first class and showed us the car and gave us a couple of t-shirts. I've built a couple of hotrod in the years since then, of course they have Summers Bros. axles in them. Always wondered what happened to the car, so glad to see its in a good home👍

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Great story - it obviously inspired you!

[@bryanfelt4681]

My uncle Lloyd "Whitey" Felt painted or repainted the Golden Rod there in Ontario for the Summers brothers.

[@everyday775]

A pleasure, such a pleasure to watch this new video. Great work from Sir Scarf & Goggles

[@adrianrutterford762]

Fascinating stuff. Thanks

[@SimonWallwork]

This is a great channel. Thanks.

[@RammYou2]

wasn't aware that the NA speed record had been eclipsed! thank you for this well done documentary.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hazy33]

Only discovered your channel a week or so ago. Brilliantly produced and researched! Thankyou so much.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Welcome! Thanks for your kind words, so glad you're enjoying the channel!

[@knighttuttruptuttrup8518]

Great video, thanks.

[@scotthecarnerd1995]

Another amazing video once again keep it up

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks! Will do!

[@chesspiece81]

I know that this type of content is rare but I wish you would upload more. Maybe you could get into some of the production car companies chasing top speed records throughout history.

[@greyone40]

We are all made happy with each new upload. There really are endless stories to choose from, and the quality of telling here is top notch.

[@bejay69]

@@greyone40 Agreed, quality over quantity.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks for your kind comment and suggestion. I have no shortage of ideas - there's a long list of stories I want to tell and it's growing all the time - unfortunately the research and scripting takes a long time (and I can't ignore the day job!). I'm trying to publish one a month, sometimes it works out that way, sometimes not.

[@chesspiece81]

@@ScarfAndGoggles Yeah man, your work is great I just want to see more frequent uploads of this content.

[@R0LLM0P]

another great video well done

[@calgiordano2724]

Thank you for doing a video on the Infinity Jet Car.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@beany1987]

I know it's going to be good before I even watched, always brilliant content on this channel 👍.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Wow, thanks!

[@mainlander6299]

Great stuff, no crass commentary. Excellent narration and another subscriber as a result.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Welcome aboard!

[@derrickbarnes5352]

Thank you for another great video. I greatly appreciate the time and research that you put into them.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you like them!

[@davidtaysom3592]

Fascinating video you do such a good job with these I find it strange that Ford purchased this car given that it had Chrysler engines

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Interesting point - I hadn't thought of that!

[@16-BITFPV]

At that point time it was common to use Chrysler engines in drag race and speed run cars regardless of brand Ford, Chevy whatever. Before that big Pontiacs where the engine of choice.

[@andyharman3022]

Shame on me. I only live about an hour from the Henry Ford Museum and I haven't made a pilgrimage there to see Goldenrod. It was one of the cars I knew about when I was young that was truly awesome.

[@jlwilliams]

If you look carefully at the video at, say, 11:30 and 11:55, you'll notice a difference in the profile of the cooling air scoops. A magazine article I read (but can't find now) said that the lower-profile scoops had been calculated as part of the car's aerodynamic package for a design speed of 450mph. However, after the initial runs, Chrysler engineers insisted on substituting the higher-profile scoops for fear of burning up their engines, limiting the car's performance.

[@isorobot]

Glad to know it is fully restored. Back in the early 90’s while still in school I was driving the backroads of Ontario Ca. The sun was getting low and a glowing object in a field caught my eye. As I got closer I recognized the shape as the Goldenrod from my childhood books! I pulled off the road and the car was sitting in a field about 200 feet from a house. I carefully navigated the barbed wire fence and about the time I reached the car the back door of the house opened and a man came out and walked over, I said hello and apologized for trespassing but I just couldn’t believe it was the Goldenrod, the man said he did not know much about it, it belonged to the owner of the property. He probably thought I was a little crazy as I was talking so fast and hopping around it looking and pointing out all the features, I even unlatch the cockpit canopy and very carefully and with some difficulty climbed in making the guy even more nervous. I sat there for a few seconds squinting and imagining a dry lake bed in front of me, and become that 10 year old boy who followed the land speed battles in magazines and news broadcasts for a few moments before the man suggested it might get him in trouble with the owner. I climbed out which was even more difficult, shook the guy’s hand grinning and apologized again. I made it back to my old beat up triumph convertible and think I smiled the whole way back to Pasadena. Thank you for the well made and informative video, learned even more about this one of a kind vehicle. Hopefully I’ll make it to the Henry Ford Museum someday and see it in all its restored glory but doubt I’ll get a chance to climb in :)

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Amazing story of ingenuity and perseverance, very well presented and so interesting.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dadyo63]

Beautifull car ,amazing workmanship ,kool guys

[@marshalllinker8904]

Love your videos keep up great work

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks!

[@danielnewbrook6880]

Love this channel and the history of WR speed challenges, you should totally do a video on Cobb and the crusader. I’ve just finished the Steve Holter book and there’s loads of fascinating info in there!

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks for your kind comments - glad you enjoy the channel. I also have Steve Holter's book, and I'm planning a video about Crusader soon. In the meantime, checkout @ThrustWSH Richard Noble's new WSR project which was inspired by Crusader!

[@pliashmuldba]

Sitting alone on a peak for 45 years, that is indeed some achievement. just wish i could have been there to see / hear it, but it took a year before i came around.

[@richardlewis2290]

A great story! Well done!

[@gordonwallin2368]

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[@TomBurkland]

Great video presentation of the Summers Brothers magnificent Goldenrod streamliner. Just a small correction on the engine orientations in the car, the front pair are placed back-to-back against the front engine transfer case, the back pair are also placed back-to-back against the rear engine transfer case. The front engine is nose forward, second engine is nose aft, third engine is nose forward, and fourth engine is nose aft to create counter rotating pairs. The engine transfer cases use gearing to allow the crankshafts in all of the engines to rotate in the conventional direction and power the left side shaft. This provides a left side power shaft running the full length of the engine bay, then the rear transfer case shifts this power shaft back into the center of the chassis to drive the clutch, five speed Spicer truck transmission, and rear final drive unit. The front end of the power shaft is deflected inboard and through the small gap between the left front tire and the front final drive, then continues forward to the front transfer case, which has the front clutch mounted on its aft face to drive the front five speed Spicer truck transmission and front final drive. The transfer cases, clutch housings, transmissions and final drives are the same on both ends of the car. A very complex powertrain to package the components in the small frontal area inline configuration. Note also that these Spicer five speed transmissions were conventional sliding gear truck units mounted nearly thirty feet apart in the car using a very complex Hurst shift linkage to operate from the small cockpit at the rear. God speed to our friends Bob (Butch) and Bill.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for the detailed correction, it is very much appreciated!

[@deaterk]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your hard work!

[@16-BITFPV]

I had a set of sports cards similar to baseball cards when I was a little kid that had all the speed record cars and a brief description on each one. Bluebird with the fin was my favorite. Anyone else had a set?

[@brianjones2899]

Great video and I learnt something new.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Kram_Farkel]

Let us support Scarf And Goggles by watching all his videos. Then he can give up the day time job and spend more time producing these great documentaries.

[@abbeyhall4624]

lovely presentation.

[@toddcott9510]

Thank you so very much.

[@dezertraider]

MY AVATAR IS AT BONNEVILLE,THAT BUGGY,RUBY AND WE TRACK STEWART FOR COUPLE YEAR IN 2006 AND ON..THANK YOU.GREAT VIDEO..

[@johnd8892]

Back three months ago in response to the claims arising from the Bluebird CN7 vid I said ; Bluebird wheel driven record soon beaten by Goldenrod in 1965. Built by some California hot rodders building Goldenrod with four Chrysler Hemi production based engines and beat the Bluebird record for wheel driven cars. A shoestring budget, compared to Bluebird, in their backyard fruit shed beating all the resources Campbell put together. An amazing achievement setting a record for wheel driven cars unsupercharged that lasted from 1965 to 2011 and then just another 5 mph. Amazing using engines found in road cars. The Summers brother's also had to deal with rain at Bonneville causing issues. Still applies.

[@psychlops924]

Have you ever been out here to Bonneville? I live in Utah, it’s an incredible place, definitely worth the trip for anyone interested in speed

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Maybe one day!

[@glennoropeza3545]

Wow! Record held for 50yrs as all natural breathing powered! Incredible!

[@shaunmcgarry1800]

Great video 👍 does anyone know where to watch the extreme machines ,supersonic land speed episode . Was on you tube at one stage but cannot find it again , favourite documentary of all time

[@TheThirdEdge]

Rawesome. Thank you, & good work.

[@mitchfleming274]

I remember seeing Goldenrod sitting against a fence in Fontana Ca. it was covered but unmistakable...that was in the 1980's

[@toddschmidt206]

I always go see goldenrod when I am at the Henry Ford. On special weeks they open all the “Hoods “so you can see the engine’s.

[@bfdtyper]

Just being able to hear this machine roaring on the salt... that would have been something!

[@originalforgery]

Outstanding....

[@SN95.0]

You had me at four hemis.

[@itowmyhome797]

Thank you

[@Saltfly]

Amazing how they fit 4 big hemis in that tiny chassis. Truly a piece of art

[@philiptownsend4026]

Excellent. For what it is worth I insist that for a car to be called a car it must have driven wheels. Has anybody attempted both - a hybrid of wheel driven and jet or rocket? Is that even feasible?

[@NBSV1]

There’s stories of cars having solid rocket boosters added for more speed. Generally once you add a jet or rocket it isn’t worth the extra drag and complexity of driving the wheels. As long as they keep the separate I don’t mind the jet/rocket powered stuff. Wheel driven is still the proper challenge for motor heads.

[@59day19]

965 km? would it be possible to reach the speed of sound with new wheels without exploding or would it be necessary to use aluminum wheels?

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

I think the general view now is that aluminium wheels are required for speeds approaching Mach 1 and beyond. The Blue Flame ran tyres at 622 mph but it was the last World LSR set on conventional rubber.

[@42lookc]

I would so love to HEAR what that incredible machine sounded like as it screamed by in full cry...

[@arulroshan1190]

Great video good job

[@AtlasLathe]

We need a modern replica built with turbos and modern fuel injection running methanol. Easy dependable 10,000hp from 4 modern hemi race motors. It would certainly up the current record

[@964cuplove]

Is there a source to the full resolution image shown at 14:31 ?! That would make for a lovely poster

[@williamkerr3350]

Interesting thank you

[@mikerammelt2420]

Interesting to see how Rossco McGlashan goes with his attempt.

[@TomChame]

Excellent! Thanks

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

You are welcome!

[@tommccallan8802]

My Dad took me to see the "ORIGINAL GOLDENROD " on display at a car dealership in Pomona ca. In 1968..he explained to me what the car was all about...I WAS HOOKED.still am

[@johnd8892]

I pointed out the amazing Goldenrod achievement back in the comments to your Bluebird video. In response to how many UK type voices wanting to say that Bluebird still held the wheel driven record. The Goldenrod achievement got in the way of their mindset I expect. Or was it a mistake of mine providing a link to Goldenrod vids to prove my claim.

[@martinwebb3017]

I suppose one could argue that Campbell's Bluebird CN7 held the last ever absolute World Land Speed Record set by a wheel driven car, while all other wheel driven cars coming after set only International Records - but there is no doubt that Goldenrod reached a higher speed. Interestingly, the CN7 is still listed by the FIA as the fastest vehicle in its class - Category A (Special Automobiles), Group IX (Turbine), Class 9 (over 4,000 kg to 4,500 kg) - as Don Vesco's Turbinator is placed in Class 4 (over 1,5000 kg to 2,000 kg).

[@DymondzTrucking1962]

It would really be something to see goldenrod out there on the salt flats again.

[@jamesblair9614]

Back in the 60’s, it seemed I was always reading in the newspapers about speed records being set and reset. Many years later, when I finally got a chance to have a good look at Goldenrod, I was very impressed with the design and execution, it is a beautiful car, hard to believe it’s two people’s vision, it looks more like it was built by NASA.

[@ScarfAndGoggles]

Thanks for sharing! If you've not seen it, check out John Baechtel's book all about the restoration of Goldenrod. It's a detailed look at some incredible engineering.

[@chrisknight6884]

Another excellent video, but I don't believe that Breedlove's Spirit of America record was ever retrospectively recognised when thrust cars were included, as the vehicle had only three wheels and the regulations stipulate a minimum of four wheels..

[@rpmhart]

I believe you're right; as I recall, the FIA may have recognized it as a motorcycle record of some kind since it didn't have enough wheels. Anyway, Breedlove's next LSR car had four...and the Sonic Arrow--his last one?--had seven or so. Poor boy just couldn't decide how many wheels he wanted.

[@BILLY-px3hw]

It also took a large set of ball bearings to run these machines, these men put everything they had on the line, including their lives

[@gtheritage]

Not wishing to take anything away from the boys, but it was thought that Bluebird never reached its full potential due to weather issues at Lake Eyre. It was thought capable of approaching 500 mph. In fact its potential was thought that good it appears that Craig Breedlove considered running it after Campbell's death, but a deal couldn't be done.

[@kevinhuber8723]

Wonderful Video. I wonder who the "North Hollywood" body man is? I would assume one of the Indy masters?

[@raywest3834]

WHEEL-DRIVEN should be the only true record, as the problems of traction and handling stability are essentially eliminated with the jet-thrust machines.

[@DavidCurryFilms]

6:31 what a terrific photo