From a 100mph bumper car to the world’s largest loop-the-loop, these 5 wild UK car records are guaranteed to blow your mind!
Ever wondered if your banger of a car could actually break a world record? Buckle up for a quick spin around the UK’s craziest car-related Guinness World Records. Whatever magic it is that the British Isles harbour, it appears to compel us to push the boundaries of what’s possible on four wheels.
From gravity-defying loop-the-loops to the world’s fastest bumper car, we promise you that this list will amaze you (or at least leave you a little amused). Join us as we explore the incredible world of UK car records.
The World’s Fastest Bumper Car
Everyone loves the dodgems – blindsiding your mates at a snail’s pace is one of life’s greatest joys. But it would be a whole lot more painful if you were speeding to the tune of triple digits!
British inventor Colin Furze took a classic 1960s dodgem and fine tuned the beast from a leisurely 5mph to 100.336mph. The Stig took the reins of the juiced up bumper car, breaking the record at Bentwaters Airfield in Ipswich in March 2017.
Furze’s creation rewrote the rulebook by combining fun with outright speed. The Brit is no stranger to crazy contraptions however, having already transformed prams and mobility scooters into speed demons too.
We imagine it won’t be long before the 44-year old converts a toaster into a vehicle capable of breaking the sound barrier!
The World’s Largest Loop-the-Loop in a Car
Hold onto your hats, our next record is a real head-spinner. British stuntman Terry Grant defied gravity in November 2019 when he completed the world’s largest loop-the-loop in a car.
And when we say largest, we mean a jaw-dropping 19.49 metres (63 feet, 11 inches) of dizzying action in front of a bumper crowd at the Riyadh Season festival in Saudi Arabia who looked on in awe.
The human rollercoaster managed the gargantuan fear by enduring extreme G-forces in his Jaguar F-Pace. Grant experienced a force similar to what astronauts experience during a space shuttle launch! To pull off this high-flying stunt, Terry spent two months preparing his body to handle the intense physical strain.
Has the Grant’s heroics inspired you to hit the road? Explore our bad credit car finance options in just 60 seconds to find a plan tailored to your budget!
Apply For A Free Quote In 60 Seconds
World’s Fastest Electric Ice Cream Van
Fancy a 99 with a side of adrenaline? In our next awe-inspiring record, we move from daredevils to beloved TV personality Paddy McGuinness. The cheeky presenter whipped up a world record in October 2020 when he drove an electric ice cream van at supersonic (-ish) speed.
‘Mr Nippy’, a souped-up 1979 Bedford CF van boasted a classic ice cream van exterior – making the horsepower underneath that featured a Land Rover 110 chassis and Tesla batteries. A mix of modern magic and nostalgia helped push this van to a freakish 80.043 mph.
What makes this record even cooler is that Mr Nippy still had to tick all the boxes of a traditional ice cream van. It needed a big serving hatch, a cooling system on board, and the ability to serve up that creamy soft serve we all love.
The Big Banana
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade – but when life gives you a Ford F-150, why not turn it into a giant banana on wheels? That’s exactly what UK-born Steve Braithwaite did, creating the “Big Banana Car,” in 2011 – the record holder for the longest custom-built banana car at a whopping 6.97 metres.
Not only is it a sight to behold, but this banana car can actually haul serious gas. With a top speed of 85mph, if you blink you might miss it! Better yet, if you fancy a spin in the potassium powercar, it offers space for three passengers.
Since its completion in 2011, this one-of-a-kind car has travelled coast to coast, from Michigan to Miami, and beyond. Whenever you’re struggling with hitting your five a day, just remember the big banana for inspiration.
From speed records to your driveway - apply today and let us help you finance your next vehicle, no matter your credit situation!
Apply For A Free Quote In 60 Seconds
The Tightest Park In An Electric Car
Nothing gets the blood pumping quite like the nightmare of parallel parking. Yet for all our efforts we have wasted trying to squeeze into a spot, British stunt driver Paul Swift managed to fit into an almost impossible opening.
At the The British Motor Show in Farnborough in August 2022, Swift made history when he snugly slotted his electric Mini-e into a parking space with just 30 centimetres (11.81 inches) to spare on either side. With just three seconds to manoeuvre his car into the ludicrously tight space, Swift etched his name into the record books with the tightest parallel park in an electric car.
What makes it all the more remarkable is that Swift had to contend with the pressure of thousands of fans watching with bated breath. And he did it without a hitch, positioning his car perfectly without as much as touching the curb!
Final Words
In the world of motoring, Brits have shown time and again that they can push the limits of creativity, precision, and sheer audacity. Woven deep into the fabric of British culture is our ability to turn everyday commonalities into monsters capable of freakish speeds.
Inspired by these incredible feats? If you’re looking to finance your next vehicle but are unsure if your credit history is a hurdle, Bad Credit Motor Finance is here to help! Explore our flexible car finance options today and take the first step towards hitting the road!
