The Unobtainable – A Story of Blue by David de Lara

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Pre production book cover

Pre production book cover

With the fast approaching 50year celebration of the Bluebird CN7 at Beaulieu July 17th, a recent meeting with Speed Records authority Geoff Holden was perfect timing to lay my hands on a pre-production copy of the new David de Lara book. I cannot imagine a more detailed and comprehensive coverage of the Campbell’s, their machines and competitors, with images and drawings it must have taken years to source; this really is an amazing piece of work.Beginning with Malcolm’s very earliest years and school days onto his First World War exploits as a Royal Flying Corp ferry pilot. Details of the speed record attempts at the turn of the twentieth century through the decades with photography of most in action with their pilots hanging on for dear life.Malcolm Campbell in his Bugatti-Boulogne GP 1928 Malcolm Campbell raced a Bugatti Type 39 to victory in the Boulogne GP in 1928 and his account of that event for me is one of the highlights of the book and for him of his racing career. The first Bluebird, the Sunbeam 350hp recently re started at Beaulieu was the launch pad from where the book heads into record breaking and the characters who were brave enough to drive these ever more powerful beast; whether on banked tracks, sandy beaches or across deserts. The long journey to Daytona Beach aboard the Mauretania to New York and down the east coast on the ‘Dixie Flyer’ is well covered with images of the family at play before breaking the existing record at 276mph. Campbell remarked it was ‘ok, but still not fast enough’.  The magic 300mph was his target and the book follows his journey to the ‘Salt Flats’, a venue that offered the prospect of achieving his goal.
Preparation on the Salt Flats 03.09.1935 Bluebird 2500hp broke 300mph and Malcolm took the record

Preparation on the Salt Flats 03.09.1935 Bluebird 2500hp broke 300mph and Malcolm took the record

Miss England pilot Henry Segrave hit a submerged log and with in hours he was dead along with one of his mechanics

Miss England pilot Henry Segrave hit a submerged log and with in hours he was dead along with one of his mechanics

Water speed records and the duel of Miss America and Miss England; glory and tragedy and inevitably into the fray Malcolm Campbell in the Bluebird K4 on Coniston Lake smashing the existing record. My pre-production copy concludes back on the water with Donald and reminds us that in 1964 he held both land and water speed records with the Bluebird K7 at 276mph on the water and Bluebird CN7 at 403mph on land. At the time of reading the final chapters on Donald’s bid to continue his father’s achievements were being added, no doubt the in depth detail and quality will remain with plenty of images from his 1964 triumphs. The final result will be in hard back format, sewn not glued and accompanied by a unique DVD featuring rare footage and interviews with Donald and team members. These will be available in very limited numbers, for further publication details email geoff.holden@gofast.co.uk. Verdict: A superb in-depth look at the lives of men that really did live on the edge; a must for the enthusiast and a worthy read for everyone, with images of the finest quality. Published by: Being finalised at this time Price: Estimate £45-£55.