George Eyston is a legendary figure in the world of speed records and MG cars. He is, perhaps, best known for breaking three ultimate World land speed records in his car , Thunderbolt, between 1937 and 1939 wresting them from Malcolm Campbell but being beaten by John Cobb. It was a friendly rivalry and when Cobb attempted his ill-fated Water Speed record attempt George Eyston (as the Castrol Competition Manager) was one of his team. George ultimately achieved 345.50mph with Thunderbolt at Bonneville. As an engineer he was involved with the design of his speed cars including Thunderbolt and an earlier car, Spirit of the Wind, which he mentions in this newly recovered recording.
He was a Brooklands racer with MG driving supercharged cars such as the “Magic Midget” and K3 Magnette. He was involved in record-breaking with EX120, EX127 and , famously, EX135 or the “Humbug” and also the fastest ever MG – EX181.
This recording was made by Philip Bayne-Powell at an MG Car Club meeting, we believe in the 1970s (George passed away in 1979), in which he mentions that he “hasn’t done this sort of thing for a long time” and that he is “stone deaf”!
The recording has been transferred from the original tape by Neil Mears and edited and restored by Tim Morris. The original quality was quite poor and you might need to listen carefully but the essence of this humble legend is clear to see.
