Bluebird, the speed record-breaking car, is being reinvented as an electric coupé which can reach up to 140mph and accelerate as quickly as a Porsche.
The Bluebird DC50, a two-door sports car with horse power of up to 360bhp, will be unveiled at a special public event next month to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Donald Campbell's land and speed water records.
It will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in fewer than six seconds and drive up to 200mph on its battery, the manufacturer said.
Just 50 limited edition models are being made and they will only be available in trademark Bluebird blue, but owners can choose from three different levels of horse power ranging from 240bhp to 360bhp
Donald Campbell in Bluebird
Bluebird is named after the 350hp Sunbeam in which Sir Malcolm Campbell first broke the 150mph barrier in 1925, and which now resides at Beaulieu.
It was also the name of the car in which Sir Malcolm's son Donald Campbell set a land speed record of 403.10mph (648.73kph) on July 17, 1964 – one of eight world land and water speed records that he achieved – and which is also housed at the National Motor Museum today.
Don Wales, creator of the cars and grandson of Sir Malcolm, said: "The Campbell family and Bluebird have had a long association with the National Motor Museum Beaulieu.
"The museum is home to a wonderful historic land speed display celebrating the achievements of Sir Malcolm Campbell and Donald Campbell. It seems only fitting that we will be launching both the Bluebird DC50 electric sports car and Bluebird GTL electric race car at Beaulieu."
It will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in fewer than six seconds and drive up to 200mph on its battery, the manufacturer said.
Just 50 limited edition models are being made and they will only be available in trademark Bluebird blue, but owners can choose from three different levels of horse power ranging from 240bhp to 360bhp
Prices have not yet been announced, but the company said last month that it hoped to deliver the first finished models, complete with a built-in iPad interface and a bluetooth "floating dashboard", by next spring.
Visitors to the launch next month will also be allowed the first glimpse of the new Bluebird GTL electric race car, which will compete in the forthcoming all-electric FIA Formula E world championship due to begin next year.Bluebird is named after the 350hp Sunbeam in which Sir Malcolm Campbell first broke the 150mph barrier in 1925, and which now resides at Beaulieu.
It was also the name of the car in which Sir Malcolm's son Donald Campbell set a land speed record of 403.10mph (648.73kph) on July 17, 1964 – one of eight world land and water speed records that he achieved – and which is also housed at the National Motor Museum today.
Don Wales, creator of the cars and grandson of Sir Malcolm, said: "The Campbell family and Bluebird have had a long association with the National Motor Museum Beaulieu.
"The museum is home to a wonderful historic land speed display celebrating the achievements of Sir Malcolm Campbell and Donald Campbell. It seems only fitting that we will be launching both the Bluebird DC50 electric sports car and Bluebird GTL electric race car at Beaulieu."
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