Company Mistral 300,000

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The original record-breaking vehicle in autumn 2009

Under the name of company Mistral 300,000 took off the 10. July 1963 at the former racetrack Miramas one as standard (southern France) Ford 12M P4 under official surveillance by the international automotive governing body ( Federation Internationale de l'Automobile FIA) in 117 days 300,000 Kilometers back. He broke 108 world records and international bests. When this goal was achieved, the journey was not interrupted. The second goal was 356,430 kilometers, which should correspond to the smallest distance between the earth and the moon . When the mileage was 358,273.8, the journey was finally canceled - but only for the reason that the drivers wanted to spend Christmas at home. One lap was about 5 km long. A total of 71,443 laps were made in 142 days, day and night.

With a 1.2-liter four-cylinder - V-type engine (29 kW / 40 PS) equipped car improved in 1933 by a special vehicle ( Citroen Rosalie achieved) for the total distance the average speed of 93 km / h to 106.48 km / h .

The rules for such a record drive required the vehicle to have all the tools and parts needed for repairs on board during the long journey. To make space for this, the rear bench was removed. Only fuel , oil and tires were allowed to be kept in a depot. Before the start of the record run, the ballast in the total weight of a car occupation was checked and marked piece by piece.

The team consisted of six drivers, six experienced mechanics, four driving ladders and the "Chef d'Équipe", Jean Pelletier , who was then head of the technical department at BP in France . Five drivers took turns every three hours, the sixth was available as a reserve. In addition, a staff of official observers and timekeepers from the FIA ​​replaced itself in rotation.

An accident almost brought the company to failure. On October 29th at around 3 o'clock in the morning at a mileage of 284,275 the eyes of the "driver on duty" fell from the monotony of the laps. Seconds later the car went off the track, overturned and landed on the road again, badly damaged. The driver was unharmed and pushed the car to the checkpoint as the regulations dictated. After eleven hours of repair time with only on-board tools under the supervision of the FIA, the journey could be continued despite the badly damaged body .

The Ford Taunus 12M P4, the original machine and chassis of which were still completely intact after the record run, was then brought to the Ford factory in Cologne to be examined by test engineers and quality control specialists.

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  • Brochure of the Miramas world record - publisher: Ford-Werke AG, Cologne-Niehl 1963

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