Barney Oldfield Driving the "Blitzen Benz" Car on a Racetrack, 1910

Summary

In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. In March, the existing world's land speed record fell as the race car -- then named "Lightning Benz" -- bolted down the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, at over 131 miles per hour. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year.

In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. In March, the existing world's land speed record fell as the race car -- then named "Lightning Benz" -- bolted down the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, at over 131 miles per hour. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year.

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

1910

Subject Date

1910

Creator Notes

Photographer and location unidentified.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2005.108.21

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 8 in

Width: 10 in

Inscriptions

Handwritten in lower left corner of image, partially missing: ...MBRO Printed on the bottom border under the image: Barney Oldfield in "Blitzen Benz" in which he set world's speed record / of 131.75 miles per hour in 1910-- with Mobiloil. He still uses Mobiloil.

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More