Bonneville Boss

 

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Date Location Driver Driver Country Vehicle Power Speed over
1 Km
Speed over
1 Mile
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The "Bonneville Boss" is a unique, Toronado-powered, lowboy transporter. Its extreme cab forward design, dual steering front axles, center operator's seat and hydraulically-operated ramp carries Tony Fox's prototype "Proud American" hydrogen peroxide rocket-powered Land Speed Record car.

The Boss was designed to transport the "Proud American" across difficult terrain to reach the most remote, pristine dry lakes for its record attempts and was used only during the attempt by Fox and his driver, Ky Michaelson, to find sponsorship for the LSR attempt in the 70's. Now 88 years old, Tony Fox was a prolific inventor and entrepreneur most successful for designing and building commercial trash compactors. Fox Industries promoted the compactors by campaigning the "Pollution Packer" hydrogen peroxide rocket dragsters during the early 70's. The Pollution Packers set 21 FIA and national records and its FIA Class C one kilometer standing start record of 234.778 mph set September 30, 1972 at Bonneville still stands on the FIA record books.

32' long but only 5'5" high at the top of the cab, the Bonneville Boss is even more compact and ingenious than transporters of similar one-piece design such as the Mercedes-Benz GP transporter. It was recently acquired from its owner of more than twenty years and is unrestored. Among those involved in its construction was Dean Moon who also created a set of custom Moon Discs for its custom Cragar wheels with Goodyear Polyglas L60-15 tires. The Bonneville Boss won an SAE design award for its combination of innovative design, advanced concept and rugged construction. Powered by an Oldsmobile Toronado engine and drivetrain, the dual front axles are steered hydraulically. Suspension is by torsion bars with air shocks. The interior with its unique center driving position flanked by passenger seats is fully appointed including an opening sunroof, high wattage 8-track stereo/public address system and blue denim themed upholstery.