Celebrating 60 MPH, Electrically

Filed in archive Record Breakers on April 29, 2007

The phrase "a mile a minute" (a little under 100 km/h) once had considerable significance among the driving public as a measure of performance. In 1899 it would have been as dramatic as the 253 mph recently recorded on TV by a bugatti veyron. In fact, it was a record-breaker, beating the former world speed record by an amazing 13 km/h. The French racer, known as the Jamais Contente (Never Content), designed and driven by Camille Jenatzy, actually hit 105.8 km/h in its measured run. It has been described as the first-ever purpose-built racing car and no one looking at Jamais Contente could possibly confuse it with a flivver on a Sunday drive.

The torpedo-shaped body is steamlined enough yet M. Jenatzy must surely have ducked his own body below the level seen in the photo as he streaked across the finish line. And, uh, removed his hat unless it was firmly tied. Ah, but here's the fascinating thing about this record-breaker: it was powered by electric motors and a battery bank! (At the turn of the century 38% of all cars were electrically driven.) Slowly but inexorably we're heading to a future of electric cars and the sad part is that it took more than a century to get there. Those with a continuing affection for the internal combustion engine can, however, take solace in the classic car hobby. Thanks to Automobile Quarterly's daily newsletter for this historic update.