The glistening salt flats of Bonneville, Utah were overrun in september 1953 by some of the oddest shapes the motor age has produced. They were some 300 hot rods brought to the flats to take part in the 5th annual Hot Rod Time Trials. The klass known as "lakesters", because they were developed for racing on dried-up lake beds, were made from airplane wings and belly tanks.
Many of the cars bettered 200 miles/hour and before the trials were over 15 new records had been set in various classes.
Converted airplane belly tank, with made-over Ford motor mounted behind driver Leroy Holmes reached 202 MPH
Cut-down coupe, known as North Washington Special, is 1932 Ford with 1942 Mercury motor. It hit 129. The vent on hood feeds air to carburetors.
Fastest motorcycle in the U. S. nicnamed "the Brute" by its owners, sets new American record as it zooms (left, top) down the white Bonneville runway at 170 mph. As it slows down (left, middle) riders on other cycles come up to catch it and hold it up (left, bottom), because the BRute's fiberglas airfoil bubble prevents its rider from putting his leg out to keep from tipping.
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images and info provided by the LIFE Magazine / LIFE Magazine International / LIFE Magazine Atlantic ARCHIVE from the Zetu Harrys Collection
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