Propelled by a pair of supercharged 8.3 litre Dodge V8 engines this new streamliner is not just aiming to break the record it is aiming to smash it by hitting 550mph. The poor weather at Bonneville has prevented the car from showing what it can really do but the black machine is a serious challenger.
Marlo Triet the project coordinator and owner.
Les Davenport is the driver.
The current record for a AA-engine blown fuel streamliner (AA/BFS) is 417.020 mph (671 km/h).
Target 550 has run 385.463 mph in 2016
Target 550 Specifications
Length - 43 feet
Width - 36 inches
Height - 42 3/8 inches
Frontal Area - 8.61 sq ft
Body Angle - 1.5 degrees
Chassis - 2 inch 4130 tubing with 1/8 inch wall thickness
Engines - Two Dodge V8 Hemi motors are the power-plants of choice
Superchargers - Superchargers by Whipple
Ignition - Mallory Mags
Fuel Pumps - Waterman
Fuel - Alcohol
Horsepower - 2500 each @ 7200 rpm
Transmissions - 2 - B & J 4 speed planetary transmissions both being shifted simultaneous via controls at steering wheel
Clutches - Crower / 3 disk models
Front and Rear Ends - Halibrand housings with Arrow ring and pinions 1.5 to 1 with shafts made by Lenco
Gearing Ratios - 1.45 / 1.30 / 1.25 / 1.0
Front and Rear Tires - 30 inch
Wheels - 18 inch
Camber - 1.5 degrees
Parachutes - Four parachute system by Stroud
Speed Brakes - Yes
Target 550
Target 550
At Bonneville in 2016
At Bonneville in 2016
Target 550 LandSpeed Racing
Marlo had the car at Bonneville in 2012. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Marlo had the car at Bonneville in 2012. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Target 550 Land Speed Racing Preview
Here's the somewhat blunt nose - completely validated in the wind tunnel - this is how it must be. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
This shows the NACA ducts that will provide 3 bars of air to the hungry Hemi's. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Salt Flat Racing at Bonneville with Marlow Treit & Target 550
You can see the details in the driver compartment again and get a feel for how long this car is! photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
This is looking back to front showing how the top body panels lever up and out of the way for easy access. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Behind-the-Scenes with Marlo Treit | Target 550: An Exercise in Land Speed Vehicle Construction
This is from the front. There are two, long body panels that life up. A hidden trap door releases the first, then the second has lever. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
From the back end, 4 parachutes will slow'er down. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
On display at World of Speed USA
The rear panels slide off and the slit you see is for an air brake or speed brake. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Every detail on this streamliner is finished to perfection. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Speed Week '16: Target 550 Streamliner Start
Wow. What else would you expect on this car except detail work like this? photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Is that abalone? These guys are finishing the streamliner perfectly. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Target 550 - July 2016 run 1, 360.03 mph - Bonneville Salt Flats, 2016 Cook LSS Test & Tune
This is the front engine. You can barely see the back one and how LONG this streamliner is! photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
This is the rearward engine tucked in with the layout of the Whipple charger shown. (note the video crew) photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Target 550 - August 2016 run 2, 386.60 mph - Bonneville Salt Flats, 2016 SCTA SpeedWeek
To keep the body skin safe, each engine has custom burst panels. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
This is some of Jason's handy work. Hand made, then polished, these are perfect! photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Target 550 - July 2014 run 1, 273 mph - Bonneville Salt Flats, USFRA Test & Tune
The wheel housings have custom latches to make wheel changes quick. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
With the nose piece out of the way, the front wheel housings, with their custom enclosure is revealed. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Target 550 - Sept. 2014 run 2, 281 mph - Bonneville Salt Flats, USFRA 2014 World of Speed
Detail on how the body panels are held. No dsuz fasteners here! photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
If you look closely, you'll see these custom release levers in a few pictures. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Target 550 - July 2014 run 2, 225 mph - Bonneville Salt Flats, USFRA Test & Tune
Another look at the release levers and the complex linkage that goes with it. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
The two Hemi's are connected to a transfer case, then a brutally strong drive shaft runs to the front and back wheels. photo Peter Vincent Sept 11 2012
Phlewid Films video - Target 550 photoshoot, Jan. 2014
Target 550 Streamliner first test at Woodburn drag strip
Target 550 Streamliner second test, Woodburn, drag strip
