Babs (land speed record car)

Babs was the land speed record car built and driven by John Parry-Thomas. It was powered by a 27-litre Liberty aero-engine.

Babs began as 'Chitty 4', one of Count Louis Zborowski's series of aero-engined cars named 'Chitty Bang Bang'. As it was built at Zborowski's estate of Higham Park near Canterbury, it was also known as the Higham Special. Using a 450 hp (340 kW) V12 Liberty aero engine of 27 litres capacity, with a gearbox and chain-drive from a pre-war Blitzen Benz, it was the largest capacity racing car ever to run at Brooklands. Still not fully developed by the time of Zborowski's death in 1924, it was purchased from his estate by J.G. Parry-Thomas for the sum of £125.^[1]

Parry-Thomas rechristened the car "Babs" and rebuilt it with four Zenith carburettors and his own design of pistons.^[2] In April 1926, Parry-Thomas used the car to break the land speed record at 171.02 mph (273.6 km/h).

Babs used exposed chains to connect the engine to the drive wheels, while the high engine cover required him to drive with his head tilted to one side – the right. During a later record attempt at Pendine Sands, Wales on 3 March 1927, the right-hand drive chain broke at a speed of 170 mph, partially decapitating him. Babs was buried where it landed, on the beach at Pendine.^[3]

There is still controversy as to whether Parry-Thomas was literally decapitated, and whether the drive chain was responsible. Later investigation of the recovered wreckage suggested instead that the rear right-hand wheel had failed, overturning Babs.^[4]

Restoration

After 40 years, the car was excavated and restored to running order over several years by Owen Wyn Owen. Today it is on display at the Pendine Museum of Speed.^[5][6][7]

References