1963 Chevrolet Corvette 2600 HP- World’s Fastest Street Legal Corvettee

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Check out this incredible 1963 Chevrolet Corvette – it’s the World’s Fastest street legal corvette out there! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime project, that took more than 5 years and realized by Rod Saboury. But let’s get straight to the point – enjoy this mean machine, read the full article and check out the 100+ images in the gallery!

 

Design and Construction

 

The 5-year project was started in 2001. In the first 2 years, drawings, schematics, adherence to drag racing rules and local motor vehicle requirements were foremost in the preliminary design. Finding the correct car was also at the top of the “To Do” list. When the car was eventually found, it was delivered to Rod as a shell on a wooden pallet with no frame, the original VIN tags, clear title and a price tag of $800…It was Perfect! Source: http://www.musclevehicles.com

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The body was sent to long time friend and fiberglass guru Frank Morawski where the body was stretched 12 inches in three places to maintain proportions. It was widened 3 inches in the rear, the quarter panels were raised 2 inches, a rear wing was recessed into the body and a functioning trunk was created that looked like it came from the GM factory. Overall, it was no easy feat requiring hundreds of man-hours. Great Job Frank. Read more ! Source: http://www.musclevehicles.com

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The formidable task of the chassis construction was awarded to Lowdown Hotrods in Canada. A full chromoly double frame rail tube chassis built as per NHRA guidelines for a car capable of 200+ mph. LDHR was awarded Chassis Builder of the year for 2007.

Numerous designs were considered and the final creation is something to behold without the body in place. It was almost a shame to cover this unique frame design created by Lowdown Hotrods.Source: http://www.musclevehicles.com

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The Michigan based engine shop of Mike Moran had the task of building the engine for Rod’s car. Mike originally designed a 400 SBC engine with big block heads and two 88mm Garrett Turbos to power the car. Mike also designed and built the computer needed to control the nearly 2200 original horsepower rating. In the 5 years since the original build, the engine has been replaced with a billet small block 427 engine currently rated at 2600 HP. Source: http://www.musclevehicles.com

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Drag Racing Artist David Carl Peters designed the spectacular custom paint. The design consists of mirror-imaged graphics both inside and outside of the car.

Connery’s Custom Paint applied the final finish using House of Kolor Candy Brandywine with accents in candy neon with unique marbleized accents throughout the car. Source: http://www.musclevehicles.com

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The Twin Turbo 2600 hp Street Legal 1963 Corvette

This car is now known all over the world as “The World’s Fastest Street Legal Corvette”.  Here is what has been done, including updates, over the 5+ years since its completion.

- Certified NHRA and IHRA Pro Mod – 7.50 ET and faster featuring a chromoly double frame rail chassis by Lowdown Hotrods. Source: http://www.musclevehicles.com

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- Certified NHRA and IHRA Pro Mod – 7.50 ET and faster featuring a chromoly double frame rail chassis by Lowdown Hotrods.

- Mike Moran 427 small block Chevy twin turbo engine producing 2600 HP and 1700 Ft Lbs torque. (The car has clocked times at 6.75 at 200 mph in Street trim, but will go faster.)

- 6 second ET cars are capable of reaching 0-60 mph in one second.

- MRE custom sheet metal intake manifold with billet runners

- Dart ‘Little Chief’ heads

- Custom ‘step’ headers by Larson Race Cars

- Dart ‘Billet’ block

- Twin 88MM Garrett Turbos

- Front drive Jesel distributor with Mag 44 cap custom designed by Mike Moran

- Big Stuff ‘Gen 3′ Pro SEFI

- Big Stuff traction control

- Racepak in dash UDX digital display

- Racepak V300 computer

- 9″ AFT triple disc clutch

- Trick Titanium bellhousing

- Lenco CS2 4 speed

- Custom 9 1/2″ ford sheetmetal funny car style ‘floater’ rear

- Strange axles and disc brakes

- Unique custom 8-gallon ice cooler tank located between rear tubs w/marine bilge pump that  circulates ice water thru the chassis to the intercooler and back.

- Pressurized CO2 bottle to launch parachutes quickly into good air

- Powermaster custom made 210 amp alternator that produces 18.5 volts

- High volume Weldon fuel pump with one of a kind voltage reducer to slow pump down for street driving

- 16-volt battery system

- Car can still get 10-15 mph on pump gas!Source: http://www.musclevehicles.com

1963 Chevrolet Corvette 2600 HP- World’s Fastest Street Legal Corvettee

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The Top 10 Fastest Trains In The World

Remember the third installment of Back to the Future, that Michael J. Fox movie that featured time travel. Aside from the Delorean, Marty Mcfly and Emmett Brown also made use of a train to allow them to break through the space and time continuum. How cool would it be if we have trains that can go that fast?

Well, actually, Emmett Brown was able to devise a way to break through the space and time continuum at 88 miles per hour. The train he used was powered by steam, as they were trapped in the year 1885. Of course, he could also have used other power sources available then, like horses and wires and ropes, but they would have been hard pressed to reach the required speed. Eventually, man learned how to power trains using more modern power sources, like diesel, pneumatics, gas turbines, batteries, electricity through overhead wires or additional rails, or even through simple, plain gravity.

Brown would have had no problem attaining the required 88 miles per hour had they traveled to the present time instead. With high-speed trains going at about 124 miles per hour, time travel would have been a breeze. High-speed trains run on dedicated tracks that is surveyed, built and prepared to accommodate fast speeds. The first high-speed train to run was the Shinkansen in Japan, or more popularly known as the bullet train. Shinkansen started way back in 1964.

To address issues in stability, some of these trains make use of tilting technology. This is akin to super elevation, and it helps create a better and smoother riding experience for the passengers.

The beauty of high-speed trains is that they provide a decent alternative to air travel so long as the distance does not exceed 373 miles in total. It is cheaper, and while the actual travel may take longer, the fact that plane rides require a waiting period for check-ins and boarding equalize things. For the transport operator, fuel consumption would also balance out when the large amount of fuel required for take off and climb outs is taken into consideration. It is only for travels beyond 373 miles that airplane rides become cost-competitive.

In the United States, the fastest train in operation is the Acela Express from New York to Washington D.C. that is run by Amtrak. It has a top speed of 150 miles per hour, though the actual average speed is only around 80 miles per hour. The old curving tracks and the frequent stops limit the supposedly high-speed trains capability.

Brown and Mcfly would probably get more luck and options if they venture outside the United States. Both Europe and Asia offer several high-speed trains. Here is a list of the top ten fastest trains in the world.

10. HSL-1, Belgium – 186 miles per hour

The HSL-1 connects the Belgian capital of Brussels with the LGV Nord at the country’s border with France. Operations started in 1997, with the trains running on 55 miles of combined dedicated and modernized tracks. Via: therichest.org

9. ETR 500, Italy – 190 miles per hour

It stands for Elettro Treno Rapido, this train has been in service since 1993. It was built by Ferrovie dello Stato, and is run by TrenItalia. It services passengers traveling from Milan to Bologna. Via: therichest.org

8. Eurostar, UK, Belgium and France – 199 miles per hour

This service connects London with Paris and Brussels. The train runs through the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar International Limited owns this train service. Via: therichest.org

7. AVE S-102, Spain – 205 miles per hour

Also called the Talgo 350, the train is operated by RENFE. It is actually the first train to break the 200 mile per hour barrier, attaining that speed in a trip from Madrid to Barcelona. Via: therichest.org

6. THSR 700T, Taiwan – 208 miles per hour

The Taiwan High Speed Rail, or THSR, operates the 700T. it is a high-speed train that was developed based on the Shinkansen bullet trains of Japan. The Japanese companies Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Nippon Sharyo and Hitachi Ltd built the train, the first time such trains were exported. Via: therichest.org

5. KTX Sancheon, South Korea – 219 miles per hour

The Sancheon was previously known as the KTX II. It is part of the high-rail system of South Korea and is operated by Korail. The technology was based on the TGV/LGV train systems of France, though the South Koreans were able to improve it on its own. The KTX Sancheon actually runs on the HSR-350x, a technology that was developed locally. Via: therichest.org

4. SNCF TGV Reseau, France – 236 miles per hour

The SNCF TGV Reseau, or TGV-R, was introduced in 1993 by Alstom, with the design based on the TGV Atlantique series. The train is pressure sealed to address the complaints of passengers who felt a noticeable and uncomfortable change in pressure when the old trains would enter tunnels. Cruising speed is 199 miles per hour, though it has recorded a top speed of 236 miles per hour. Via: therichest.org

3. Shinkansen, Japan – 275 miles per hour

This is the bullet train that started it all. Four companies under the Japan Railways Group operate the Shinkansen. The first one, the Tokaido Shinkansen, began in 1964. It covers up to 1,483.6 miles worth of lines.  The iconic train features a unique nose, thus earning for it the nickname of the Duck-Billed Platypus. Via: therichest.org

2. Transrapid TR-09, Germany – 279 miles per hour

The Transrapid TR-09 was built by the Transrapid International GmbH & Co., KG, a partnership between German giants Siemens and Thyssen Krupp. The train works on the Longstator linear motor principle. It is used to transport both passengers and cargo goods. Technically, the Transrapid TR-09 is a monorail that uses magnetically levitating technology. Via: therichest.org

1. CRH 380A, China – 302 miles per hour

The CSR Qingdao Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company Limited made the CRH 380A. The Chinese used to depend a lot on foreign technology for its high-speed rails, even in the CRH 30A’s predecessor, the CRH 2-350.  The CRH 380A was made with Chinese engineers and inventors, and it markedly improved the top speed. The fastest speed it ever recorded was at 302 miles per hour. In normal operations, the cruising speed of the CRH 380A is 217 miles per hour, and the train maxes out at 258.9 miles per hour. Via: therichest.org

The Top 10 Fastest Trains In The World

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World Records Broken in 2012

Quickly now, what book appears in the Guinness World Records for being the most sold copyrighted book in the world today? The answer is the Guinness World Records. The book is a reference guide containing a collection of all the records in the world. And it has the unique distinction of having a world record entry in its own book.

The Guinness World Records used to be known as The Guinness Book of Records and The Guinness Book of World Records. It is considered the prime international authority in the catalog and verification of records around the world. To ensure the records’ authenticity and credibility, Guinness has in its employ a number of adjudicators who will check the setting of the record.

 The Fastest Game Bird in Europe

It all started out quite innocuously. The managing director of Guinness Breweries at that time, a man by the name of Sir Hugh Beaver (picture above), was in a shooting party in Ireland. He got involved in an argument with another member of the party regarding the fastest game bird in the continent. One insisted on the golden plover, while the other said it was the grouse.

Beaver went to the library after the incident to find out the answer. It was then that he realized that there was no available reference book that would answer such a question. In so doing, he wondered how many more similar arguments have occurred as people debate about such things.

Beaver contacted Norris and Ross McWhirter, who were twins that had a fact-finding company based in London. He asked the twins to compile all the records that they could find into a book to be called the Guinness Book of Records. A thousand copies were ordered with the intention of giving it away to the valued clients of Guiness Breweries. Little did they know that the demand for the book would so high that it became a source of income for the company, with the book going straight to the top of the bestsellers list in Great Britain. It was also sold in the United States where it quickly became a hit. Eventually, the book became a household name synonymous with anything that has to do with a world record.

As to the fastest game bird in the European continent, it turned out to be the golden plover. Via: therichest.org

In All Forms and Sizes

The original books were rich in text and listed down in an academic fashion all the recognized world records in the Guinness database. The McWhirters, however, were out of the company by 1995, with Ross passing away in 1975 at the hands of the Provisional Irish Republican Army and Norris being ousted 20 years later. The new publishers decided to make the book an illustrated edition, which means that not all records are listed anymore.

Guinness does recognize a wide variety of records, including the out-of-this-world. Some of the records in its database include the usual longest-running television show or longest-tenured member of a drama series. It also has items that are weird, such as the following:

• Heaviest tumor


• Longest time spent playing a video game


• Most poisonous plant


• Longest underwater kiss


• Longest wedding gown train


• Largest gathering of people dressed like Mahatma Gandhi


• Largest gathering of chefs who threw their hats into the air


• Most number of spoons magnetized to the human body


• Longest line of coins


• Heaviest onion


• Most tattooed person


• Oldest pair of twins


• Heaviest plane pulled over 100 meters by people in wheelchairs


• Youngest person to visit all the countries in the world

In addition, Guinness also recognizes in its book the person with the most number of records.

Guinness has also set aside November 9 of each year as Guinness World Records Day. This started in 2005. The 2006 edition earned its own spot in the Guinness book for being the biggest international event in the world, with over 100,000 people from over 10 countries participating in the event. Via: therichest.org

World Records that were Broken in 2012

For 2012, the following records were set and duly recognized by the Guinness World Records.

• Farthest distance to pull a vehicle with meat hooks attached to the back – Burnaby Q. Orbax, 111.7 meters


• Fastest 100 meters while on all fours – Kenichi Ito, 17.47 seconds


• Fastest film to gross $1 billion in the box office – The Avengers, 10 days


• Fastest motorcycle wheelie while on top of ice – Ryan Sucjanek, 152.89 kilometers per hour


• Fastest speed skiing whlle going backwards – Anders Backe, 128.7 kilometers per hour


• Fastest time to climb The Torch Doha unassisted – Alain Robert, 1 hour 33 and minutes 47 seconds


• Fastest vehicle drift – Lars Verbraeken, 179.59 kilometers per hour


• First 1080 degrees on a skateboard – Tom Schaar, 12 years old


• Furthest slam dunk while using a trampoline – ThiloSchwarck, 7.75 meters


• Heaviest bike – Wouter van den Bosch, 750 kilograms


• Highest bungee jump into water while on fire – Yoni Roch, 65.09 meters


• Highest blob jump – Christian ‘Elvis’ Guth, 22.0 meters


• Highest parachute jump while on freefall – Felix Baumgartner

• Largest drum set – Dr. Mark Temperato, 340 pieces


• Largest loop the loop in a car – Greg Tracy and Tanner Foust, Hot Wheels Double Loop Dare, 18.29 meters


• Longest ramp jump of 720 degrees on skis – Joey Spencer, 26.95 meters


• Longest wave surfed by a dog – Abbie, 107.2 meters


• Lowest roadworthy car – Okayama Sanyo High School, 45.2 centimeters


• Most continuous loops by a paraglider – HoracioLlorens, 568 loops


• Most number of multiple circus tricks – ChayneHultgren


• Most stunts performed by a living actor – Jackie Chan

• Most watched video online – “Gangnam Style” by Psy


• Shortest living man – Chandra BahdurDangi – 54.6 centimeters


• Tightest parallel parking in reverse – Ronny Wechselberger, 35 centimeters Via: therichest.org

World Records Broken in 2012

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The Fastest Plane on Earth [25 pics]

Since 1976, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird has held the world record for the fastest ‘air-breathing manned aircraft’ with a recorded speed of 1,905.81 knots (2,193.2 mph; 3,529.6 km/h). That works out to a staggering 36.55 miles/58.83 km per minute.

The Blackbird was so fast that its strategy against surface-to-air missiles was to simply accelerate and outfly them. Below you will find an extensive gallery of this iconic aircraft along with information on the history, design and records the plane holds to this day.

Photograph by NASA

 

Photograph by James Gordon

The SR-71 served with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. Of the 32 aircraft built, 12 were lost in accidents, though none to enemy action. Since 1976, it has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft.

 

Photograph by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

 

The Blackbird was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by the Lockheed Skunk Works. Clarence “Kelly” Johnson was the lead designer and was responsible for many of the design’s innovative concepts.

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

 

Photograph by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

The SR-71 was designed for Mach 3+ flights (1020.87m/3349.31 ft per second) with a crew of two in tandem cockpits, with the pilot in the forward cockpit and the Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO) monitoring the surveillance systems and equipment from the behind cockpit.

 

Photograph by the U.S. Air Force

 

Finished aircraft were painted a dark blue, almost black, to increase the emission of internal heat and to act as camouflage against the night sky. The dark colour led to the aircraft’s call sign “Blackbird”.

 

Photograph by the CIA

 

On most aircraft, use of titanium was limited by the costs involved in procurement and manufacture. It was generally used only in components exposed to the highest temperatures, such as exhaust fairings and the leading edges of wings. On the SR-71, titanium was used for 85% of the structure, with the rest made of composite materials.

 

Photograph by NASA/Jim Ross

Flying at 80,000 ft (24,000 m) meant that crews could not use standard masks, which could not provide enough oxygen above 43,000 ft (13,000 m). Specialised protective pressurized suits were produced; similar suits were also used on the Space Shuttle.

 

Photograph by Nick Dowling

 

Photograph by greyloch

 

The Pratt & Whitney J58-P4 engine that powered the SR-71 was a considerable innovation of their era; each one could produce 32,500 lbf (145 kN) of static thrust. The J58 was most efficient around Mach 3.2, the Blackbird’s typical cruising speed. A unique hybrid, the engine can be thought of as a turbojet inside a ramjet.

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

Originally, the Blackbird’s engines started up with the assistance of an external engine referred to as a “start cart”. The cart included two Buick Wildcat V8 engines positioned underneath the aircraft. The two engines powered a single, vertical driveshaft connecting to a single J58 engine. Once one engine was started, the cart was wheeled to the other side of the aircraft to start the other engine. The operation was deafening.

Eventually, a quieter, pneumatic start system was developed for use at Blackbird main operating bases, but the start carts remained to support recovery team Blackbird starts at diversion landing sites not equipped to start J-58 engines.

 

Photograph by TSgt. Michael Haggerty, USAF

 

Before each takeoff, a time-consuming primary alignment brought the ANS’ inertial components to a high degree of accuracy. Once in flight, the ANS, which sat behind the Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO)’s position, tracked stars through a circular window set in the upper fuselage. Its blue light source star tracker, which could see stars during both day and night, would continuously track a variety of stars as the aircraft’s changing position brought them into view.

 

Photograph by TSgt. Michael Haggerty, USAF

 

The first flight of an SR-71 took place on 22 December 1964, at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The first SR-71 to enter service was delivered to the 4200th (later, 9th) Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California, in January 1966.

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

Operational highlights for the entire Blackbird family (YF-12, A-12, and SR-71) as of about 1990 included:

- 3,551 Mission Sorties Flown

- 17,300 Total Sorties Flown

- 11,008 Mission Flight Hours

- 53,490 Total Flight Hours

- 2,752 hours Mach 3 Time (Missions)

- 11,675 hours Mach 3 Time (Total)

 

Photograph by USAF/Tech. Sgt. Michael Haggerty

 

The SR-71 was the world’s fastest and highest-flying operational manned aircraft throughout its career. On 28 July 1976, it broke the world record for its class: an “absolute altitude record” of 85,069 feet (25,929 m). Several aircraft exceeded this altitude in zoom climbs but not in sustained flight. That same day an SR-71 set an absolute speed record of 1,905.81 knots (2,193.2 mph; 3,529.6 km/h).

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

 

The SR-71 also holds the “Speed Over a Recognized Course” record for flying from New York to London distance 3,508 miles (5,646 km), 1,435.587 miles per hour (2,310.353 km/h), and an elapsed time of 1 hour 54 minutes and 56.4 seconds, set on 1 September 1974 while flown by U.S. Air Force Pilot Maj. James V. Sullivan and Maj. Noel F. Widdifield, reconnaissance systems officer (RSO).

 

Photograph by Ken Hackman, USAF

On 26 April 1971, 61-7968 flown by Majors Thomas B. Estes and Dewain C. Vick flew over 15,000 miles (24,000 km) in 10 hrs. 30 min. This flight was awarded the 1971 Mackay Trophy for the “most meritorious flight of the year” and the 1972 Harmon Trophy for “most outstanding international achievement in the art/science of aeronautics”.

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

 

On 6 March 1990, Lt. Col. Raymond “Ed” E. Yielding and Lt. Col. Joseph “Jt” T. Vida piloted SR-71 S/N 61-7972 on its final Senior Crown flight and set four new speed records in the process:

1. Los Angeles, CA to Washington, D.C., distance 2,299.7 miles (3,701.0 km), average speed 2,144.8 miles per hour (3,451.7 km/h), and an elapsed time of 64 minutes 20 seconds.

2. West Coast to East Coast, distance 2,404 miles (3,869 km), average speed 2,124.5 miles per hour (3,419.1 km/h), and an elapsed time of 67 minutes 54 seconds.

3. Kansas City, Missouri to Washington D.C., distance 942 miles (1,516 km), average speed 2,176 miles per hour (3,502 km/h), and an elapsed time of 25 minutes 59 seconds.

4. St. Louis, Missouri to Cincinnati, Ohio, distance 311.4 miles (501.1 km), average speed 2,189.9 miles per hour (3,524.3 km/h), and an elapsed time of 8 minutes 32 seconds.

 

Photograph by Mlpearc

Pictured above is the “Last Flight” of a SR-71. In the background is the SR-71 S/N 61-7972. In the foreground is Pilot Lt. Col. Raymond “Ed” E. Yielding and REO Col. Joseph “Jt” T. Vida on March 6, 1990.

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

 

General Characteristics

Crew: 2 (Pilot and Reconnaissance Systems Officer)

Payload: 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) of sensors

Length: 107 ft 5 in (32.74 m)

Wingspan: 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m)

Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)

Wing area: 1,800 ft2 (170 m2)

Empty weight: 67,500 lb (30,600 kg)

Loaded weight: 152,000 lb (69,000 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 172,000 lb (78,000 kg)

Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J58-1 continuous-bleed afterburning turbojets, 34,000 lbf (151 kN) each

Wheel track: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)

Wheelbase: 37 ft 10 in (11.53 m)

Aspect ratio: 1.7

Performance

Maximum speed: Mach 3.3 (2,200+ mph, 3,530+ km/h, 1,900+ knots) at 80,000 ft (24,000 m)

Range: 2,900 nmi (5,400 km)

Ferry range: 3,200 nmi (5,925 km)

Service ceiling: 85,000 ft (25,900 m)

Rate of climb: 11,810 ft/min (60 m/s)

Wing loading: 84 lb/ft² (410 kg/m²)

Thrust/weight: 0.44

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

Only 93 Air Force pilots have ever steered the ‘sled’, which was the Blackbird’s nickname given by the pilots.

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

 

Pictured above is the SR-71 in transport between Burbank and Palmdale.

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

 

All information for this article via Wikipedia.

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

 

Photograph by Lockheed Martin

Source: twistedsifter.com

The Fastest Plane on Earth [25 pics]

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