In the series of videos below, Danny Thompson relates his progress in rebuilding his late father Mickey Thompson's Challenger II, originally built in 1968, in a bid to exceed the existing internal combustion wheel-driven Land Speed Record of 417.020mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Progress on the Challenger 2.5 streamliner has been extensive. Thompson is working collaboratively with fabricator Steve Davis to complete the project. A steering system for the all-wheel drive twin-engine streamliner and final machining and assembly is in progress. Thompson is producing hand-cut engine plates and upgraded the cockpit with a Racepak setup. Air tanks, steering wheel mounted air shifters, and a fire extinguisher system have been added. Two 500 cubic-inch Brad Anderson Engineering aluminum engines will be added soon along with four sets of billet aluminum BAE racing heads and Mickey Thompson Bonneville LSR tires. The old paint has been stripped to bare metal and the tail section and parachutes have been re-designed to be compliant with sanctioning rules. Thompson is working with designer Chip Foose to complete the exterior including custom paint by Foose.
You can show your support for Thompson's efforts by purchasing a commemorative T-shirt by visiting http://thompsonlsr.com/store/.