Fathers Day Roadster Show this weekend.

Well, it is that time of year again and the fathers day Roadster show is upon us and this year its hotter than hell, so get in early if you can.

The L. A. Roadsters Car Club was formed in 1957 and is still going strong.

The Club is well known for their beautiful 1936 and older roadsters and their Club uniform of red shirts and white pants.

 

 

Just a few little shots right now.

 

These are some great shots that Brian Brennan of Street Rodder took today.

Below is the Grand National show winner and one of my favorite Hot rods.

All types for everyone one, from old school to high tech.

L. A. Roadster Show

The 2016 Show is scheduled for Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June 19th.

In 2015, we had another successful show and want to thank all roadsters, specialty cars, swappers, vendors and spectators for their loyalty and support of our show each year.

Our show is always held on Father’s Day Weekend in June of each year at the Fairplex in Pomona, California.

Each year, the L.A. Roadsters put on one of the largest roadster shows, swap meets, and commercial vendor shows in Southern California.

Lots of beautiful roadsters from all over the USA drive to our show and spectators came from all over the world.

I shall be going on Sunday for a look around, I have a long way to go with my Model A but love the thing to bits.

flatty2 may 2016

 

Pendine Sands 2016 Speed Trials

This is one of the best places in the world to experience Hot Rodding at its very best, sat on the far west side of Britain, Pendine Sands in Wales has so much racing history on this infamous beach.

 

 

I just had to post some photos I saw and will credit those who took them. the Sidewinders put this annual event on and a lot of work it needs to get to where it is, so when you get a chance, drop them a line than thank them for all their hard work.

Steve foster photo.

Photo: Steve Foster

This is an old mat of mine Matt Farrant and he posted the fasted time of 117 miles and hour with his flatty powered Roadster pick up and was the fasted man on the sand for the second year running, great job Matt.

Photo. S. Foster

I see my mate Melissa with the Bandanna on her noggin and she drove her ride on the beach faster than her old mans Hot ROD.

Photo. Steve Foster.

Photo : S. Foster

Mat Farrant giving it his best on the beach with a recorded speed of 117 , thats awesome.

Checking out the program  as these 2 Nostalgically dressed girlies enjoy the day. photo. S. Foster

Photo. S. Foster

OMG-Scot Blown Flatty, would love that myself, great job and shot.

Photo. Steve Foster

Love this shot of the roadsters on the beach lining up for their run.

Photo. Steve Foster.

My mate Sarah Bradley gets ready to run her roadster up the beach.

Photo Steve Foster.

Waiting for the flag to give them the go ahead to light them up and make the pass up the beach.

Photo. Steve Foster

Great shot here, love the Duvall style windshield and the frog mouths.

Photo S. Foster

Channeled 5 window looked Bad ass.

Photo. S. Foster

Braaap!

Photo. Steve Foster.

This looks so much fun.

Photo. S Foster

How can this not be fun?

Photo. S. Foster

This 29 Roadster is all set for his run at the speed trials.

Photo. S. Foster

As old timey as it gets, this bobbed fendered Roadster is itching to go.

Photo. S. Foster

T Roadster gets a helping hand.

Photo. S. Foster

Wishing him luck.

photo. S. Foster

Frigging amazing set up.

Photo. S. Foster

Number 362 gets a good start on his run up the Welsh beach of Pendine Sands.

Photo. S. Foster

Getting as much traction as they can as they start their run.

Photo. S. Foster

How low can you go?

Photo S. Foster

Great shot.

Photo. S. Foster

Another roadster heading out.

Photo. Martin Stockton

Heading into Pendine.

Photo. Martin Stockton

Chilling with everyone on the beach.

Photo. Martin Stockton

Lets see who is the fastest the.

Photo: Martin Stockton.

Where it all happens from the start to finish.

Photo: Martin Stockton 

A set of hungry Quads

Photo. Martin Stockton

Great shot on the line.

Photo. Martin Stockton

We shall meet you on the Beaches.

Photo. Martin Stockton

This 29 is almost ready for the take off.

Photo. Martin Stockton

5 window looks sweet.

Photo. Martin Stockton

This is a really cool shot, love the whole frame, the color is awesome.

Photo. Martin Stockton.

And we are off!!!

Photo. martin Stockton

Roadster Pickup is having some fun here.

Photo. martin StocktonAnother great shot looking through a model A window.

Photo. martin Stockton

Epic photo of the start line.

photo. Martin Stockton

Another cool capture of the start.

Photo. martin Stockton.

Taking it all in.

Photo. Martin Stockton

Putting the Modified through its paces.

Photo. Martin Stockton

Matt Farrant takes off on his 117 MPH Flatty, great job Matt.

Photo. Martin Stockton

Great photo and the geezer is having a blast.

Photo. Martin Stockton

My mate Sarah Bradley ,cruises the Beach.

Photo. Martin Stockton

Matt Farrant, giving it his best shot and winning the fastest flatty of the weekend at 117 MPH, Sweet.

Photo. martin Stockton

The VHRA official filling station.

Photo. Martin StocktonMatt Farrant, getting geared up and going through his check list procedure so he is calm and collected for his run.

Photo. Martin Stockton

Epic panoramic view of the run.

Photo. Martin Stockton

Awesome machine.

My Mate Martin Grossmith in his A Bone and now in the 100mph club.

Martin is sat and ready to wind it on at Pendine Sands.

Great photos here of some mates I know from back home, must of been fantastic experience.

Below is a vide of Dean Lowes Roadster pick up at Pendine.

 

 

These sands have been raced on for many many years, even in 1951 the motorcycles all took part in racing.

So, with over 150 entries at Pendine, this only seems to get bigger and better.

photo credit. Elie Rose and my mate Mel Gee driving.

Photo: Elie Rose photography with Mel in her ride.

Photo credit: Stefan Marjoram.com

Stefan Marjoram|Art & Photography.

 

Photo Credit: Stefan Morjoram. With Sarah Bradley in her Roadster.

Stefan Marjoram|Art & Photography

Stefan Marjoram|Art & Photography

Photo: Stefan Marjoram.com

Photo: Stefan Marjoram.com

Photo: Stefan Marjoram.com “The Lads”

Photo: Stefan Marjoram.com

Photo: Stefan Marjoram.com

 

 

 

Hot Rodding even appears in Video Games

Hey Gang

 

[​IMG]
Well, I am not a video gamer but was blown away to see this guys take on a 31 Model A 5 window coupe, the detail on the Hot Rod is remarkable and he must either own a Coupe or has been schooled well as these are bang on the money, with the exception of the engine sound as a flathead V8 does not sound like that at all.
But check this video out and you can see all the detail really is right there and wanted to share with you today.

This gamer who designs for Grand theft auto by the loom of it also did a 5 window but this time with a hemi motor and lake style headers, unreal.

Below is another gamer and another Model A Coupe, not as good as above but great to see Hot rodding in the mainstream.

Maybe you have already seen these? I am not a gamer, I was always crap at it as the controls just wouldn’t correspond with what i wanted to do as i wanted a real steering wheel and gear shifter and red and blue buttons just felt odd, but great graphics though.

So – great stuff designers as you have kept all the right look for a Hot Rod, just wanted to share as a Blog today.

[​IMG]

Hot Rods are part of my Life too !

OK- many people think that I am only into Motorcycles, and I can understand that, as I have been building Cafe Racers here in California in the last 14 years, but- since I was a youngster, I had the Car bug big time.

I grew up near to many American Air force bases and that’s where I got my first influences from of cool old American cars, I loved everything about the cars, the country and the lifestyle as well as the passion for Hot Rods.

Then, I had my first Hot Rod, a 1932 Deuce Coupe, it was Chopped and channeled and was a Right Hand drive Model, this Deuce meant so much to me and I felt like I was living in the U.S.A. with that ride.

I wish I had kept it now, as we all do when we look back at things we have had.

 This was my ONLY form of transport and I drive it in all weather, I didn’t have a floor in it for a year, the snow and rain used to blast up inside the Coupe, until I lost a couple of cassette tapes and then my keys jumped out of the ignition as I was driving back from work and that’s when I decided it was time for a floor.

 

This used to be so much fun blasting about Brighton and I traveled all over the UK in my 3 window and some super fun memories that’s for sure.

I was a lot thinner back then, maybe from pushing the damn thing when the battery dies or I ran out of gas as my gas meter did not work.

I drove up to Hemsby for the traditional Rock n Roll weekender and then visited some old school mates and friends in that area, it was such a blast to drive, loud old and bumpy but that’s an old traditional Hot Rod in the 1980’s in Britain for poor working class folk like me.

The I-Beam axle was a 4 inch drop and shorty shocks, made sure you didn’t fall asleep at the wheel when ever you drove this Coupe.

 

Watch ya head, this coupe was chopped and channeled and with a 4 inch windshield, not much vision, plus when it rained you couldn’t see anything, and- to get me through the yearly MOT test, you have to have a windshield wiper, so- I took a complete motor and wiper arm off a Volvo Headlight and fitted it indie the coupe, it was perfect.

Such fun times and glad I actually took some photographs, else they would just be my own views in my head.

hemsby

We were all a close knit community and had so much fun at Rock N roll weekenders, especially on the beach etc.

 How about this shot, many many moons ago with my First car, a 1961 Low line Ford Consul, with a 4 banger and a 3 on the tree, I drove the lug nuts off this machine.

 Oh dear- what was I thinking? But this was my 1959 Ford Zephyr that I 2 door-ed and made some mad steel fins on the car, this had Candy Red and white tuck n Roll too, I was in a crazy zone when I did this.

This was me in 1997 when I moved to Australia, and I bought a 195 XP For Falcon, very similar the the American Ranchero, this was a cool ride, they call them Ute’s out there but it was a fun ride that I played about with and really liked that car.


I used to pain the old race style numbers on the doors of my rides back then, I still do on the bikes I build sometimes, this time I painted the car flat black in my mates driveway and then fitted pin line whites and then fitted a cool set of MOON discs.

But I get restless and have to keep trying things out on this machine.

 

I cant leave anything alone for too long, this time I scalloped the car and pin lined it, as well as fitting a steel sun-visor.

I fitted a Black Tarp on the back and later on I located some fender skirts for it too. Then I painted the Coop Devil on the back and added more scallops!

 

But I will always love tinkering with stuff, just the way my Brother and I was bought up, not really had a happy child hood but kept busy.


I started to get into this Roadster when I moved to Australia from the UK in 1997 and then continued over here in the states as I shipped the body over, the photo above is me in New South wales, I was patching the side of the Roadster body as it was completely shot with old bullet holes, but- I wanted the same thickness steel and the contour, so used a 1940 Ford truck door to use and it worked out so well. 

Above, Anthony Castaneda of the Infamous Shifters gave me his old Dodge Dash Board and I spent the next few days cutting my old gas tank and fitting this set up, I was so stoked to have accomplished this and loved the way the dashboard flowed, similar to the 1936 Ford versions.

 

I used a Belgian Flat head in the end and this was a great motor, I love the sound of side valve motors, a very unique sound of their very own.

Jeez, this was a while ago, i was wearing a watch, who wears watches any more?

I chose a eggshell Blue and a Flat white firewall as it reminded me of the Al Sharp Coupe.

I also had My 1958 F150 short bed painted by Anthony Castaneda in his old shop (RIP mate) I stayed up and hand painted the logo and lettering getting ready for me to go with the shifters to Paso Robles back then.

 

I will have to look to see if I have any more photos of this 29 Roadster of mine, I loved that car but had to sell it when everyone moved out to go forward in their lives and I knew I would have another later on.

1932 Truck Grille5

I had so much fun building this in the garage at home in Southern California and sure wished I still had this Roadster.

1932 truck Grille4

Days of old but soon I will be getting back into another 1929 Roadster that I located in Indiana and My Girlfriend Jennifer Bought for me,I am looking forward to driving it with her in the following months.

1932 truck grille 5

This was a fun build and now resides in the land of the rising sun, sure hope to see photos of it as I sold it to a very cool friend of mine Ken Sakata.

 

 

abone carp

I now have this 29 Roadster at my shop, needs a ton of work but- I will get there eventually, once I have located all the parts I need.

abonecarp23

I have a super amount of work to do to this little A-Bone but it will be worth it and cannot wait until I can get onto El Mirage and of course one day at Bonneville Salt Flats.

abonecarp24

I am not sure what color it will be but I will be running a Flathead, not the 4 Banger that’s in it right now.

abonecarp14

My plan is to locate a cool Vintage dash board, be it a 36 ford, Chrysler, Pontiac or Caddy etc and have a unique look to it with cool Gauges.

10398903_991721770916189_2366940549734224180_n

I will be running a 1932 Truck grille, so that will all change but will still use original chassis etc and Kelsey wire wheels of course.

my abone

I have an original Moredrop axle for the front but will need 1940 Ford Hydraulic brakes all around too. And below, I was so fortunate to locate this Original plaque that used to be on the guys Roadster back in the day, a nice bit of history right there.

my abone1

I will be using old plates as well to capture the spirit of the style that I am into and hope that this will make people smile once completed.

my abone2

This will be a cool build but maybe a year before I am halfway there I believe, hard to do on a low budget.

My abone3

But stay tuned, as i will up date when I get more parts together etc.

 

 

Pendine Sands Hot Rod Beach Time Trials 2015

I Many of you know me as the Cafe Racer guy, but- I am also a crazy Hot Rodder and have owned a 31 5 window A Bone, I had a 1932 3 Window Coupe and when I moved here to the States in 2000 I built a 1929 Model A on B rails.

 

But fast Forward to 2015 and they have the Time trials at Pendine Sands in Wales and boy what a turn out, over 100 Hot Rods and such warmth and Camaraderie, it will be hard to beat that anywhere around the globe, so below is just a sample of what went on via peoples photos.

 

015

I love the Traditional old style Hot Rod and hope to have another again soon.

022

 

But, Pendine sands back in the UK is a great piece of historical History that not many people know about.

 

carpy truck5

 

So Below is a bunch of photos from people that made the 2015 Pendine Sands meet and boy are there some corkers there, you can feel the friendly atmosphere and sure wished I could of attended.

 

 

 

All shot on Canon 6D bodies and wide open Sigma 24mm and 50mm F1.4 Art Series and Canon 135mm F2 L lenses.

Post processing in Lightroom with VCSO filters.

— with Shaun Veness.

 

Pendine 2015 aa59

I cannot tell you how cool this is to see, I am 5000 miles away and this is such a great sight to set my mince pies on, look at all them cool rides.

 

 

 

Pendine 2016 aa58

Check out Harley Peters and his 4 Banger Roadster, built from scratch in 18 months and driven all the way there and back for the first time.

 

Pendine 2015 aa55

Just look at the great shots here, you cannot put a Date here as it is so Nostalgic, I love these photos as it really captures the era and the fun.

 

 

Pendine 2015 aa54

Just look at the beach dead flat and the view of all them Hot Rods is breath taking, someday I shall get home again to see this for myself.

Pendine 2015 aa52

Cruising along and listening to the V8’s, Flatties and 4 bangers must of been something to behold this weekend as you look through your Hallock windshield.

Pendine 2015 aa51

Be it a Convertible, A Speedster, a Roadster pick up or a 5 window Coupe, everyone was enjoying this great occasion.

Pendine 2015 aa50

How about this shot, A pick up, Tudor, 5 window coupe and Roadster, all henry’s finest on the sands.

Pendine 2015 aa49

Hot rods as far as the eye can see as they Blap along the Sands in formation, what a sight and what a sound I bet?

Pendine 2015 aa48

From Jalopy’s to Cal Customs, these machines were all enjoying their little bit of freedom together in one place.

 

Pendine 2015 aa47

Great Cloud formations shows it must of got a little windy at times and maybe some H2O but who would care as this was Hot Rod heaven.

Pendine 2015 aa46

below, this photo could of been taken right out of Hot Rod magazine back in the day, a Brilliant shot that’s for certain.

 

Pendine 2015 aa45

 

So many great rides and people here in Wales for this meet and boy were there some superb examples of the Hobby I still have such a passion for.

 

Pendine 2015 aa44

How cool is this shot Below, Looks Like a McCullough Blower set up with that awesome intake poking out of the Hoot, pure Hot Rodding.

Pendine 2015 aa43

Turtle Deck T Roadster sits on the beach I wonder what ed Iskendarian would think if he saw these photos, I will hopefully show these to him.

Pendine 2015 aa41

Gow Job- this is the old style that you never get to see very often and love the whole concept of this Roadster, Love the Hood sides.

Pendine 2015 aa40

 

I love this Right Hand drive Brit Roadster and the commercial lights, real Hot Rodding at its best, super job matey!

Pendine 2015 aa39

Cabriolet Looked wicked with old continental kit for front fenders, an old Hot Rod trick back in the day and Lakester style Headers too!

Pendine 2015 aa38

Dick Mann would be proud of this machine, altered gow job in all its glory.

pendine 2015 aa37

I love seeing Girls in Hot Rods and this is a great shot, angled windshield as this Small Block gets it down the beach in no time.

I love the Wish bones and the Exhaust existing through the 32 rails.

 

Pendine 2015 aa36

Having owned a belly Tank this was such a cool sight to see and where many drop tanks ended up after the war.

 

Pendine 2015 aa35

Flag start- just how it used to be, nice shot here.

 

Pendine 2015 aa34 Pendine 2015 aa33

Really great old style photo with this geezer in all the cool Nostalgic gear, a really cool shot this.

Pendine 2015 aa32

 

BRAAAAAAPPP!!!  I love this Three Window shot.

 

Pendine 2015 aa31

With hardly any vision in this chopped and channeled 5 Window this is how many Hot Rodders did it in the day.

 

Pendine 2015 AA30

Another Classic photo that could be in Hop Up or Hot Rod magazine, just a timeless shot.

Pendine 2015 aa29

Two of my mates below, 61 is Tim Sparks and behind is 74 Harley peters, they must of had a ball driving all the way here and back home too.

Pendine 2015 aa28 Pendine 2015 aa27

Going full tilt with no cops chasing you.

 

Pendine 2015 aa26

Love this 5 Window High Boy, doing what they did back in the day and, loving it I bet!

pendine 2015 aa25

Talk about getting right into it, such a great photo of this fella giving it the beans as he leans into the Roadster.

Pendine 2015 aa24

This should be titled “The element of Speed”

Pendine 2015 aa23

So nice to see a few steel Pick ups out there too, something for everyone, but- I love them all.

 

Pendine 2015 aa22

Look at this 5 window, what a great stance, sheer determination as he changed gear mid track.

Pendine 2015 aa21

Just so many good rides out here and enjoyment for anyone that was lucky enough to witness this Classic Occasion in Wales.

Pendine 2015 aa20

 

 

I am sure everybody who drove on the beach will never forget this day as I don’t think I will looking at these great photos.

Below my mate Martin gives his A-Bone a good ringing out, he has owned this car for many years and love seeing this photo.

Pendine 2015 aa18

Roadster Pick up looks great as it Bimbles down the Beach in search of a fast time.

Pendine 2015 aa17

Super shot of the Closed cab and flatty powered, stepping on the loud pedal.

Pendine 2015 17

My Buddy Tin Sparks in his Navy Blue Roadster giving it a bit of welly down the straight away. Ive known him 3 decades.

Pendine 2015 aa16

1930 A Bone 5 window looks cool on the power.

Pendine 2015 aa15

This looks fast even standing still, so many cool machines here.

 

Pendine 2015 aa14

I call this the Buckland Special, they turn out awesome machines if you ever need one to be built.

Pendine 2015 aa13

Lovely unchopped Three Window Blapping along, love the Louvres.

pendine 2015 aa12

 

I have spent a lot of time looking at these photos and love everything about it, what a great turn out too.

 

Pendine 2015 aa11

Ballsy move to take this Wickedly chopped 5 Window  Custom out for a blap along the sand!

Pendine 2015 aa10

Hot Rodding at its very roots is right here in the shot, such a Nostalgic Photo and stoked he got the picture, I really dig this.

Pendine 2015 aa9

Love the A-Bone, giving it hell and just like they did over on the dry lakes at El Mirage back in the day!  Brilliant A-V8 Roadster.

Pendine 2015 aa8

Just Spoilt for choice on all these shots, so glad he could capture the moment for those who couldn’t make the trip to Wales.

Pendine 2015 aa7

You have to love it all here at Pendine, and I know this event is only going to get bigger.

 

Pendine 2015 aa6

Super cool 5 Window A Bone on deuce Rails and nicely put together as well, the Rods all look really well built and I take my hat off to you all!

Pendine 2015 aa5

California Plated A-Bone looked great on the beach.

Pendine 2015 aa4

 

Gripping the Banjo Wheel as they get ready to flag start the time trial, and sure looks like fun to me.

pendine 2015 aa3

 

 

This photo is right out of 1948 and could be at El Mirage or Harper’s dry lake, what a fantastic photograph!

 

 

Pendine 2015 aa1

 

The tirtle deck T reminds of my mate “Sinus” from the Shifters and another awesome shot.

Pendine 2015 z

 

 

One of the Sidewinders club members looking happy as he sits on the infamous Time trials beach at Pendine Sands.

Pendine 2015 y

Feels like I am reading early Hot Rod magazine with these shots and hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Pendine 2015 x

On the Pedal hard as the A-Bone goes for his Goal on the flats of Pendine beach!

Pendine 2015 w

Well how about this Roadster? Fully fendered and gunning for a good time!

Pendine 2015 v

Sitting low to be more stream lined and a Classic photo here.

 

Pendine 2015 u

 

So cool to have a flag girl and we shall do it here at El Mirage one of these days as i hope to build another roadster.

Pendine 2015

 

 

OK- Enough of me Blubbering on, just scroll down to see some super cool Photos and video’s, great event and hope to get there one day.

 

Pendine 2015 t Pendine 2015 r Pendine 2015 q Pendine 2015p Pendine 2015o Pendine 2015 n Pendine 2015 m

Below: Harley Peters in his 4 Banger that he built himself testament to the younger lot who are into the Lifestyle, great job Harley.

Pendine 2015 Harley pendine 2015l

The images are so Nostalgic and even though i was not there, it sure felt like i was, I am attaching all sorts of photos from other people that were there, that way you get to see everything about this Classic Event that one day i hope to visit and take to the beach and listen to the Flatheads roar!

 

pendine 2015k pendine 2015 beach pendine 2015 sarah pendine 2015j pendine 2015i pendine 2015 h pendine 2015 g pendine 2015f pendine 2015e pendine 2015d Pendine 2015c Pendine 2015B Pendine 2015a pendine2015tim pendine2015 pendinesands2aa2 pendinesands2aa pendinesands2abbc

Below – Harley Peters started his build 18 months ago with a Chassis and now is driving all over the place and made his maiden Voyage to Pendine.

Pendine Harley 2

here is Harley at Buckland where all the cool rides are now created back home in the UK.

Pendine harley aa1

Pendine Harley 6 Pendine harley 5 Pendine harley 3

 

Harley Peters and his hand built 4 Banger Roadster is really an superb Effort and ran like a top.

Pendine Harley aa2

 

Pendine julie evans pendine zz3 Pendine zz4 pendine zz5 Pendine zz6 Pendine zz7 Pendine zz8 Pendine zz15 Pendine zz14 Pendine zz13 Pendine zz12 Pendine zz11 Pendine zz10 Pendine zz9

 

Pendine zz16 Pendine zz17 Pendine zz18 Pendine zz19 pendine zz20 Pendine zz21 Pendine zz29 Pendine zz28 Pendine zz27 Pendine zz26 Pendine zz25 Pendine zz22 Pendine zz24 Pendine zzTIM FPendine zz30

 

 

 

 

 

Big Matt Bolt sits in his machine and enjoys the fruits of his labor at this great beach meet at Pendine Sands.

 

 

 

Johnny Best and Tim Sparks Chew the fat.

 

 

 

 

 

FINALLY- A great shot of my mate Harley Peters, he built this A- Bone 4 Banger himself in Eighteen months and this was its maiden Voyage.

And it ran like a proverbial Top- Great Job mate.

 

Pendine zz HARLEY

Here is a bit I borrowed from the VHRA   http://www.vhra.co.uk/VHRA/News/Entries/2015/7/7_Pendine_Speeds_2015.html

 

 

 

Here we have a Few Videos.

Below is some History and information you may like to know.

 

In the early 1900s the sands were used as a venue for car and motor cycle races. From 1922 the annual Welsh TT motor cycle event was held at Pendine Sands. The firm flat surface of the beach created a race track that was straighter and smoother than many major roads of the time. Motor Cycle magazine described the sands as “The finest natural speedway imaginable”.

In the 1920s it became clear that roads and race tracks were no longer adequate venues for attempts on the world land speed record. As record breaking speeds approached 150 mph (240 km/h), the requirements for acceleration to top speed before the measured mile and safe braking distance afterwards meant that a smooth, flat, straight surface of at least 5 miles (8.0 km) in length was needed. The first person to use Pendine Sands for a world land speed record attempt was Malcolm Campbell. On September 25, 1924 he set a world land speed record of 146.16 mph (235.22 km/h) on Pendine Sands in his Sunbeam 350HP car Blue Bird.

Four other record breaking runs were made on Pendine Sands between 1924 and 1927; two more by Campbell, and two by Welshman J. G. Parry-Thomas in his car Babs. The 150 mph (240 km/h) barrier was decisively broken, and Campbell raised the record to 174.22 mph (280.38 km/h) in February 1927 with his second Blue Bird.

On March 3, 1927 Parry-Thomas attempted to beat Campbell’s record. On his final run while travelling at about 170 mph (270 km/h) the exposed drive chain broke and partially decapitated him; Babs went out of control and rolled over. Parry-Thomas was the first driver to be killed during a world land speed record attempt. This was the final world land speed record attempt made at Pendine Sands.

Parry-Thomas’ car Babs was buried in the sand dunes near the village of Pendine. In 1969 Owen Wyn Owen, an engineering lecturer from Bangor Technical College, sought and received permission to excavate Babs. Over the next 15 years he restored the car, which is now housed in the Museum of Speed in Pendine village.

In 1933 Amy Johnson and her husband, Jim Mollison, took off from Pendine Sands in De Havilland DH.84 Dragon G-ACCV ‘Seafarer’ to fly non-stop to New York. Blown off course, they landed down-wind in the dark at Bridgeport, Connecticut after flying for 39 hours over a distance of 3,300 miles at an average speed of 85 mph, overshot, and were both seriously injured in the crash.

During the Second World War the Ministry of Defence acquired Pendine Sands and used it as a firing range. The beach is still owned by the Ministry of Defence; prominent signs warn of the dangers of unexploded munitions and public access is restricted. Monday to Friday part of the beach is closed off because of MOD operations.

In June 2000 Don Wales, grandson of Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell, set the United Kingdom electric land speed record at Pendine Sands in Bluebird Electric 2, achieving a speed of 137 mph (220 km/h).

Top Gear filmed a review as part of the fifth episode of their fourth season, and returned to film a second review for the first episode of the fifth season. Scrapheap Challenge used the beach as the venue for the challenge in Season 10, Episode 1, aired in 2008.

Today Pendine Sands is sometimes used as a stage in rally car events, although spectator access is limited for safety reasons. It is also a popular venue for kite buggying and homebuilt hovercraft.

Between 9 July 2004 and May 2010 all vehicles were banned from using Pendine due to safety concerns, however since May 2010 cars have again been allowed access.

Records Set at Pendine Sands

Date Location Driver Driver Country Vehicle Power Speed over
1 Km
Speed over
1 Mile
Comments
September 25, 1924 Pendine Sands, Wales Sir Malcolm Campbell Great Britain 350hp Sunbeam Blue Bird
V-12
IC 146.15 mph (235.21 km/h) 146.16 mph (235.22 km/h)
July 21, 1925 Pendine Sands, Wales Sir Malcolm Campbell Great Britain 350hp Sunbeam Blue Bird
V-12
IC 150.86 mph (242.79 km/h) 150.76 mph (242.62 km/h) First person ever officially to go over, and set record in excess of 150 mph
April 27, 1926 Pendine Sands, Wales J. G. Parry-Thomas Great Britain Higham-Thomas Special Babs
45 degree V-12
IC 169.29 mph (272.45 km/h) 168.07 mph (270.48 km/h)
April 28, 1926 Pendine Sands, Wales J. G. Parry-Thomas Great Britain Higham-Thomas Special Babs
45 degree V-12
IC 171.01 mph (273.60 km/h) 170.62 mph (274.59 km/h)
February 4, 1927 Pendine Sands, Wales Sir Malcolm Campbell Great Britain Campbell Napier Blue Bird
Napier W-12 Cylinder
IC 174.88 mph (281.44 km/h) 174.22 mph (280.38 km/h) Last record set in Europe