Black Country's record breaking supercar

But this was the journey the record-breaking Tipton Thunderbolt had to make before breaking the world land speed record in the 1930s.

The car was built in Tipton and transported to the USA where it was reassembled and with Captain George Eyston behind the wheel, broke the land speed record three times.

Work began in 1936 on the high speed car which weighed seven tons and was powered by Rolls Royce R Type aircraft engines. It had to be taken apart again to make the journey to the USA in pieces. It was reassembled in Utah at the site of the record attempt.

Captain Eyston first broke the record on November 19, 1937, reaching 312 mph on Bonneville Salt Flats. The team returned the following August and pushed the record up to 345mph.

But weeks later rival John Cobb beat that speed in his Railton car, watched by Captain Eyston, who less than a day later took the Thunderbolt out again and regained the record with 357mph.

Historians in Tipton are hoping to regenerate interest in the car and the factory with a special Local History Day.

One of the attractions will be a restored Bean car provided by collector Jim Thomas from Dudley. The 78-year-old said it was important people learned about the history of Tipton's major industries.

He said he found his own Bean in a trade magazine and restored it from a shell 15 years ago.

The local history day will be dedicated to the memory of Peter Sargent who provided many of the photographs for the exhibition, but passed away earlier this year.

His father Bill was one of the key players in the development of the Thunderbolt, in his role as chief assembly engineer at the Bean plant.