The first one past 200? Steam!

Aerodynamically perfect, conceived as an overturned canoe specifically to break the land speed record, on 26th January 1906 the steam-powered Stanley Streamer Rocket, driven by Fred Marriott, reached 205.44 km/h.

Fred Marriott driving the Stanley at over 200 km/h

In this case, the Stanley brothers who built the car did not run the risk of actually driving it, instead relying on a “Hamilton” of the time to considerable success: from January 24th to 26th he broke the record several times until he becoming the first man to travel two miles in less than a minute.

It looks like an overturned boat, perfect to penetrate the air, the first car to cover two miles in a minute

The car was built specifically to break the record, and therefore had a minimal front section and very narrow tires. Even the suspension was placed inboard to avoid external elements that could affect the dynamics of the vehicle. The steam engine, a technology that was quite common at the time given the considerable experience with railways, steamers, agricultural machines and even cars, was a double-action twin-cylinder with a displacement of 3,100cc.

The engine and boiler are mounted behind the driver. The engine is a 3,100cc twin cylinder

The steam engine works with the pressure of the high temperature steam acting on the pistons. This combination gives very high torque values, eliminating the need for a clutch and gearbox. In addition to a low centre of gravity, the Stanley had an ideal weight distribution with the central rear engine. Its weight was 753kg, outstanding for a vehicle with that engine.

The tires are narrow for aerodynamic reasons