Challenger 1 (1960) - Mickey Thompson

The Challenger 1 had four 389 cubic inch supercharged Pontiac motors each capable of about 700HP which were hooked up to four LaSalle 3-speed transmissions. The motors ran off of a nitro blended fuel. The car weighted 8000 lbs.

Mickey Thompson took four Pontiac powered cars to March AFB in July of 1961 in an attempt to break 18 land speed records. His goal with this car was to break the two-way speed record which is an average of two separate runs. One his first run, he hit 406.60 MPH. A second run of similar speed would have been enough to break the record except Thompson had to withdraw the car due to a broken driveshaft and was, therefore, unable to make that second run. He did manage, however, to become the first American to break the 400 MPH mark.