1-192-899 - National Motor Museum/Heritage Images

Malcolm Campbell with 1920 Sunbeam, (c1920?). Campbell watches as a mechanic works on the Sunbeam. Campbell was the holder of both land and water speed records from 1927 onwards. In 1935 he became the first man to break 300 mph on land reaching 301.1291 mph in Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. In 1939 he achieved his fastest speed on water with 141.74 mph. He called all his racing cars and speed boats 'Bluebird' after the symbol of unattainability in the play of the same name by Maurice Maeterlinck. At Pendine Sands, Wales, in 1924 Campbell attained 146.16 mph (235.226 kph) in this car and in 1925 reached 150.766 mph (242.635 kph).