Photo: Daimler AG
It was just before Christmas Eve in 1913, when British racing driver Lydston Greanville “Cupid” Hornsted set no less than two new world record for the half-mile and the kilometer on the Brooklands racing track in the southwest of London.
Why do we care? Well, the man was driving a Benz 200 hp, which was a modified version of the famous Blitzen Benz (Lightning Benz).
One month later, in January 2014, the Brit would add seven more records under his belt, all using the same car.
His half-mile (804,67 meters) and kilometer records were evocative of Victor Hémery breaking the 200 km/h (124 mph) barrier for the first time in 1909 while driving the original Benz 200 hp.
Compared to the original, Hornsted's Benz had a modified radiator grille, a detachable wind deflector an extension of the thundering exhaust to the rear of the car by attaching a... stove pipe.
Unfortunately, after other modifications, the car even survived the first World War but was completely destroyed in a racing crash at Brooklands on 30 September 1922.
One month later, in January 2014, the Brit would add seven more records under his belt, all using the same car.
His half-mile (804,67 meters) and kilometer records were evocative of Victor Hémery breaking the 200 km/h (124 mph) barrier for the first time in 1909 while driving the original Benz 200 hp.
Compared to the original, Hornsted's Benz had a modified radiator grille, a detachable wind deflector an extension of the thundering exhaust to the rear of the car by attaching a... stove pipe.
Unfortunately, after other modifications, the car even survived the first World War but was completely destroyed in a racing crash at Brooklands on 30 September 1922.
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