Don Wales to recreate record-breaking Bluebird run of grandfather Sir Malcolm Campbell

The car that took Sir Malcolm Campbell to his first world land speed record 90 years ago is to return to the scene of the triumph today.

The 350hp Sunbeam Bluebird will be back at Pendine Sands in South Wales where it peaked at 150mph in 1925 and will be driven by a modern day record breaker and Campbell descendant, Don Wales.

However, Sir Malcolm's grandson won't be let too loose in Bluebird. Instead he will mark the occasion, which has been organised by the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and who now owns the car, with a commemorative low-speed demonstration run.

Wales, himself a land speed record holder, will aim to re-create two iconic pictures from the original run, including dressing as his grandfather was on the day.

Renamed Blue Bird by Sir Malcolm when he bought it, the Subeam holds three world land speed records, the first by Kenelm Lee Guinness at Brooklands - the world's first purpose-built race circuit - in 1922 with a speed of 133.75mph.

Campbell then bought the car and quickly painted it in its famous colour scheme and in September 1924 set a new record speed of 146mph, raising it the following year to 150.76mph.

After Campbell sold it, the car had a number of owners before being bought in poor condition in 1957 by Lord Montagu who restored it.

“I am really looking forward to driving the 350hp Sunbeam, which is the car that gave my grandfather his first Land Speed Record,” said Wales.

“I cannot believe that I will get this fantastic opportunity to drive this iconic machine on Pendine. It will also be fun to dress in costume to look as my grandfather did in the pictures taken 90 years ago.”

The run will take place at 4pm today, starting from the area of the beach next to the Pendine Museum of Speed.