Rare Fiat land speed record car set for Goodwood

A rare Fiat land speed record car will turn a wheel for the very first time in 100 years when it tackles the Goodwood hill throughout the Festival of Speed in June. The monstrous 28. 5-litre Fiat S76 was produced from the Italian motor company using the aim of snatching both the flying kilometre and flying mile records coming from the ‘Blitzen’ Benzes inside the pioneering land speed record era just before World War 1. The S76 was capable of achieving the mile record with Pietro Bordino behind the wheel at Saltburn Sands in Yorkshire. It later completed a 135mph run inside the flying kilometre at Ostend, Belgium. It was eventually quick enough to interrupt the record, however the achievement wasn’t officially recognised because it was eventually unable to finish a return run inside the specified hour. Only two S76s were made but one was dismantled in the outbreak of WW1 to avoid rival manufacturers obtaining its technical secrets. Another wound up in Australia, before arriving inside the UK in 2003, when Bristol-based enthusiast Duncan Pittaway reunited the car with the initial 28. 5-litre, four-cylinder motor coming from the dismantled car. Pittaway will drive the car in the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which happens from 26 to 29 June. Read Autocar's history from the Land Speed Record. Kieren Booty Rare Fiat land speed record car set for Goodwood