The oldest standing land speed record was broken in 2009 by the British built car “Inspiration”. Previously set in 1906, why did the record last for 103 years? Because it was based on an old and almost forgotten technology, steam. But that’s gettingahead of the story.

Although the concept of harnessing steam to provide power goes back to the first century AD, it took until the mid-1700s to be put into practical use. We know it as the Industrial Revolution, and while most applications were for industrial power a few inventors had their sights set on transportation. The first practical internal combustion engine was developed in 1876, and this propulsion was first adapted to a motor car by Karl Benz in 1885. By then steam power had a 100-year head start and was considered safe, reliable, and familiar. Couple that with the fact the electric starter was not invented until 1896 and around the turn of the century steam and electric powered cars actually outsold those with gasoline engines.

Brothers Francis and Freeland Stanley capitalized on the steam technology and began making steam cars in 1897. By 1899 they were making more cars than any others. automaker. In 1902 the brothers formed the Stanley Motor Carriage Company famous for the very successful “Stanley Steamer”. It wasn’t long however before competition from cars powered by internal combustion engines began eroding their business. The brothers decided some positive publicity was needed so they developed the Stanley Rocket, which in 1906 set the world speed record of 127 mph, bested a few years later by a conventionally powered car it remained the record for steam powered cars. On August 25th of 2009 Inspiration, built by the team British Steam Car Challenge, broke that century old record by achieving a speed of 139 mph. This was improved upon the next day by reaching 148 mph. The10-yearlong project was funded by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu for the primary purpose of that record run.

Inspiration is powered by a two-stage turbine driven by superheated steam from12 boilers and weighs three tons. Liquid petroleum gas is used for fuel and the car consumes 10.5 gallons of water per minute. Although Inspiration has been retired and is now on display at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, England there apparently was some thought given to the car’s future. Specifications point out Inspiration’s boilers can heat water fast enough to make 23 cups of tea per second. What a clever plan to keep the British end up.

Editor Note: Article previously published in British Boots and Bonnets newsletter, August 2022