Spirit of America Sonic I, a jet car that broke speed records, goes up for auction for $997,000

English Posted on  —by Nadia

Spirit of America Sonic I, jet car that broke speed records, going to auction for $997,000Spirit of America Sonic I, jet car that broke speed records, going to auction for $997,000 (Instagram @rmsothebys)

The Spirit of America Sonic I, a groundbreaking vehicle, is being auctioned for around $997,880. Created by pilot Craig Breedlove, this model blends the characteristics of a car and an airplane, being the first land vehicle to use a jet engine.

Developed to achieve extreme speeds, the Sonic I was equipped with a G4 J47 engine, commonly found in Cold War-era fighter jets. Its design, with three wheels and an aerodynamic shell, reflected the goal of breaking speed records.

In 1963, the vehicle surpassed 650 km/h during tests at the Bonneville Salt Flats, but was quickly surpassed by other prototypes. In 1965, after modifications, the Spirit I became the first land vehicle to reach 966 km/h, an impressive feat at the time.

With four wheels and a GE J79 turbojet engine, the Sonic I was designed to break the sound barrier, but failed to reach this mark, which would be achieved by another model years later.

After being retired in 1975 and displayed at the Motor Speedway Museum, the Spirit of America Sonic I is now available for a collector. Its legacy as a pioneer in the use of jet engines in land vehicles and its historical impact continue to be remembered, with the vehicle representing an extraordinary achievement in the field of speed.

Source: Auto Esporte | Photo: Instagram @rmsothebys | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.

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