The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
Diecast Collector Forums
Eight forums, every scale, and thirty years of shop talk — new arrivals, restorations, reviews, and the finds you won’t see posted anywhere else, with the full archive back to 2002 restored and searchable. Free to Register.
8Forums
195,000+Topics
1,276,000+Posts
10,000+Members
Notifications
Clear all
Forum 24
3
Posts
3
Users
12
Reactions
1,110
Views
Topic starter
11/10/2022 9:09 am
This one-off LSR car, designed by J.H.Newport, was built on a modified Duesenberg SJ chassis with a high(er) compression, supercharged 420 cid I-8 developing 400 hp. The car was commissioned by its ultimate driver, Ab Jenkins, soliciting funding from major oil and accessory parts companies promising them a land speed record they could use to promote their products. In October of 1935, he delivered two records at the Bonneville salt flats: a one hour record of 153.97 mph and a 24 hr record of 135.57 that stood unbeaten until 1961. Later, the entire drive train was replaced using a Curtiss Conqueror aircraft 250 hp V12. That version was named the "Mormon Meteor". That car, driven by brothers Ab and Marv Jenkins, ran at the flats in '36 and '37 smashing a slew of records by at least 20 mph. A local newspaper ran a contest to name the Curtiss powered Duesenberg and the winning name was the "Mormon Meteor" (it is Utah. of course). As history was written, the original "Special" moniker was replaced with "Mormon Meteor I". This car was later converted for street use and then finally brought back to its original "Special" configuration.
11/10/2022 9:16 am
Great model. Interesting history. I always enjoy your ‘presentations’, Rich. Love that instrument panel.
Tony Perrone and Rich Sufficool reacted
