The fastest car on earth is to be unveiled to the people of Coventry next Wednesday, before taking pride of place in the city’s Museum of British Road Transport.

The Museum has purchased the car, which has a strong relationship with the Midlands, with the help of a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

THRUSTSSC ON ITS WAY TO COVENTRY

ThrustSSC became the first car to achieve the Supersonic World Land Speed Record on 15 October 1997 achieving the phenomenal speed of 763.035 miles per hour.

From that moment it became one of the most famous cars on earth and a symbol of British spirit and teamwork. The car will take pride of place in the Museum alongside Thrust 2, its land speed record predecessor, which has been on display since 1992.

The purchase of the vehicle by the Museum has ensured that the car will now go on public display in this country rather than overseas as had been speculated.

The purchase of ThrustSSC is part of a wider development programme for the Museum. As part of the changes the Museum is also developing a new entrance leading onto a major new civic square and events space.

ThrustSSC will form the centrepiece of this new frontage, making a focal point for Coventry's £40 million Phoenix Initiative. A new Millennium Walkway will link the new square with the city’s world famous cathedral and the recently uncovered medieval Priory ruins.

The new developments will reinforce Coventry’s extensive history and encourage people to stay longer in the city. The Transport Museum will play a major role in interpreting this heritage and further bids are already in place, aimed at creating a world class showcase of British transport in Coventry, the traditional home of the British transport industry.

Councillor Nick Nolan, leader of Coventry City Council said:

"We are using the city’s rich heritage to support the regeneration of the city for the future. But Coventry’s heritage is not just about things which are a thousand years old – outstanding features like ThrustSSC, which was so extensively supported by Coventry companies, are an equally important aspect of our heritage and will help reinforce Coventry’s appeal as a major visitor destination."

Sheena Vick, Heritage Lottery Fund’s Regional Manager, West Midlands said:

"Coventry and cars go together so we are delighted that lottery cash has been used to fund this magnificent acquisition that celebrates everything that is great about the City and British engineering.

"The exciting developments at the Museum of British Road Transport – Thrust’s new home – will hopefully act as a further catalyst for the regeneration of Coventry by attracting more visitors to the city.

"Our substantial £510, 000 grant to the acquisition of this amazing car demonstrates further our commitment to funding every shape and size of our nation’s heritage, as well as reinforcing our support for Coventry and the West Midlands."

Barry Littlewood, Managing Director of the Museum of British Road Transport added:

"Thrust SSC is a milestone in motoring heritage and, alongside Thrust2 will be the star attraction for the Museum, reinforcing the city’s and the Museum’s association with the highest quality of engineering, technology and British excellence."

Richard Noble, ThrustSSC Team Leader is delighted that the car will find its new home in Coventry and also firmly believes it will boost visitor numbers to the area. He said:

"ThrustSSC has become a British icon and will be a massive draw for the Museum and the city. People won’t just come from around the country to see the car, they will travel across the world. The reaction to ThrustSSC has been superb everywhere we have taken it."

There will be a 'welcome home' celebration for ThrustSSC in Broadgate in the city centre from 11am on Wednesday 29 August. This will include a presentation of the car to the Museum by Richard Noble.

After that the car will be housed in the specially funded ‘Mach 1 Show’, which will open to the public on 9 September. Eventually both Thrust vehicles will be displayed together in the refurbished Museum.

The Museum of British Road Transport displays the largest collection of British road transport in the world and is designated as a collection of national importance.

The Museum is open every day 10am – 5pm, and admission is free.

ThrustSSC was purchased for £680,000 with the assistance of a £510,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, a £20,000 grant from the Science Museum Prism Fund, £110,000 from Coventry City Council and £40,000 of Museum funds.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has also awarded an additional £30,000 for the creation of an audio visual display to support the vehicle’s display. This has been further supported by a £10,000 grant from the Designation Challenge Fund administered by re:source (the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council).