Paris Van Gorder
Paris Van Gorder Associate editor
1/2/25 9:41 a.m.

It’s not a bird, nor a plane: It’s the automotive land speed-record-holding 1965 Spirit of America Sonic I.

After being challenged by brothers Walt and Art Arfons, Craig Breedlove developed The Spirit of America Sonic I. A whopping 34 feet in length, this vehicle sports a powerful GE J79 turbojet, most commonly found on the F-4 Phantom II Interceptor.

The power? 15,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner.

In 1965, Breedlove and his wife Lee both set land speed records with the Spirit of America I. Craig achieved a remarkable 600.601 mph and Lee set the women’s land speed record of 308.506 mph.

After being in the care of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum since 1975, the Spirt of America stands available for private acquisition for the first time ever.

Find the 1965 Spirit of America Sonic I for auction by RM Sotheby’s with an estimated value of $500,000 to $1,000,000.

J.A. Ackley
J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
1/2/25 3:54 p.m.

Such a great piece of history. It looks like a fun item to have in a collection.

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
1/2/25 4:50 p.m.

"The fastest tires on Earth" is a heck of a selling point.

 

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