Ever wondered what it’s like to drive the fastest car in the world? With the reopening of the star attraction at the Coventry Transport Museum in February, museum visitors in the UK city now have the chance to experience what it feels like to break the sound barrier on land.
First opened in 2015, the 4D Land Speed Record Simulator had been closed since pandemic restrictions came into force in 2020, but has now reopening for the first time in three years.
Specially developed by Metropolis Entertainment, the 14-seat, full-motion Stargazer theatre attempts to recreate the experience of Thrust SSC’s record-breaking drive on Oct. 15, 1997.
Wing Commander Andy Green, who drove the extraordinary vehicle – more appropriately call a land-speed “rocket” – to its supersonic speed of 763 mph, said in 2015 that riding the simulator “still gave [him] goosebumps, bringing back memories of wrestling Thrust SSC’s steering and fighting to keep the 10-ton monster straight at over 600 mph.”
The reopening of the simulator follows hot on the heels of the 25th anniversary of the land speed record in 2022 – a record which remains unbroken to this day.
The 4D simulator is located in Coventry Transport Museum’s Land Speed Gallery, alongside the original Thrust SSC vehicle and its record-breaking predecessor Thrust2. Also, currently on display in the gallery is Bloodhound LSR – a vehicle designed to travel even faster than Thrust SSC, which is currently awaiting funding for its world record attempt. This Oct. 2 will mark the 40th anniversary of Thrust2 achieving a top speed of 622.407 mph.
The 4D Land Speed Record Simulator offers rides running every hour, on the hour, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Riding the simulator costs £3 p.p., £10 for a family of four or £12 for a family of five. Tickets are bookable in-person on the day of visit.
Transport Museum
Located in the West Midland’s city of Coventry, about an hour from Birmingham, the Transport Museum houses the world’s largest publicly owned collection of British road vehicles and record-breaking fast cars. Reflecting the city’s historical reputation as the “Detroit of Britain,” the museum boasts hundreds of exhibits, from antique bicycles (invented in Coventry) to war vehicles, fire engines, double decker buses, race cars, and the aforementioned land-speed rockets. There’s also a collection of miniatures, and, of course, classic cars from local companies, including 16 stunners you could only dream of owning in the Jaguar gallery.
