This year’s Bonneville Speed Week is off, due to unsuitable conditions on the salt flats. Like many of you, we were eagerly anticipating this year’s event. Even though we can’t be there in person, these videos are the closest thing to experiencing the magic of the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Many different types of cars run at Bonneville, but Bob Sirna chose a car that you wouldn’t ever expect to be racing, let alone down a strip of metal-eating salt: a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. Bob likes to say, “Enjoy your toys,” and this is a motto we can stand behind.
What’s it like out on the salt? This video is a great primer on what the event is all about.
As you can imagine, given its place in automotive history, it’s long been featured in movies, books, and TV shows. Clockwise from top left, here is the region as experienced by Top Gear, Roadkill, Evo, and Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Manufacturers have long used the Salt Flats in order to prove their wares. Clockwise from top left, here are record attempts by MG (1956), Chrysler (1934), Honda F1 (2006), and Studebaker (1963).
“The Fastest Car in the World” in 1957? The MG EX 181 and Sir Stirling Moss. In 1965? The Spirit of America – Sonic 1 and Craig Breedlove.
Finally, featuring a number of abrupt cuts and raw footage, this early series of clips shows Ab Jenkins testing a new 1932 Pierce Arrow V-12 at the salt flats. The sounds—and shots—are awesome!
