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The shores of south-west Wales saw history being made in 1925 when Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird car broke records by reaching 150mph on Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshire. Campbell, a car dealer, was no stranger to setting and losing land-speed records but the feat on July 21st, 1925, propelled him to international fame. A century later, Blue Bird returns to Pendine to commemorate this iconic achievement.
Blue Bird’s return to Pendine Sands was a significant event, with Sir Malcolm’s grandson, Don Wales, present to witness the ceremonial start-up of the legendary car. The Campbell family has a proud tradition of breaking records, with Donald Campbell and Gina Campbell also making their marks in the world of speed. Don Wales himself has held various UK and world records for speed in different categories, showcasing the family’s affinity for pushing the limits.
The legacy of Blue Bird and Malcolm Campbell’s daring spirit is evident in the continued fascination with land speed records. Pendine Sands served as the battleground for speed supremacy in the 1920s, with Campbell and his rival, John Godfrey Parry Thomas, competing to raise the bar. The contrasting approaches of Blue Bird and Parry Thomas’s Babs added to the public’s intrigue, making the quest for speed a captivating spectacle.
While Blue Bird now rests in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, its journey has not been without challenges. Rescued from a barn in the 1950s, the car faced setbacks and a lengthy restoration process. The commitment of experts like Ian Stanfield highlights the need to pass on the knowledge and skills required to maintain these historic vehicles for future generations. Despite the obstacles, the spirit of speed lives on, with projects aiming to shatter records and push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of land-speed racing
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