Redruth based European Springs & Pressings Ltd is at the heart of an exhibition at Royal Cornwall Museum dedicated to the world’s land speed record attempt by Bloodhound SSC (Supersonic car).

The new exhibition not only unveils, for the first time, a full size Bloodhound interactive model car but also celebrates Cornwall’s past and present engineering successes alongside the UK’s most ambitious engineering feat.

European Springs and Pressings has its engineering expertise showcased with a number of its springs displayed – similar in design to the springs used in Bloodhound – alongside fellow Cornwall Manufacturer Group member, Watson-Marlow, with one of its peristaltic pumps.

Two decades on from when Andy Green secured the title as the only person in history to drive faster than the speed of sound at 763mph in 1997, Bloodhound is designed to go from 0-1,000mph in 55 seconds, achieving one mile at just 3.6 seconds, and aims to set a new land speed record in South Africa in October 2017.

Michael Gibbs, MD of European Springs & Pressings, said: “It is a privilege to be part of this exhibition, to have been chosen as an exemplar of engineering alongside such a global icon is extraordinary and something we’re very proud of.”

Bloodhound SSC will travel under its own power for the first time at Newquay Aerohub in June next year, in a slow speed (c 220 mph) shakedown test. This will also be an opportunity for the Bloodhound team to practice live-streaming data and imagery from the car.

The 7.5 tonne and 13.4m long Bloodhound will then be shipped off to Upington, South Africa where it will be transported by road to the team’s desert base at Hakskeen Pan.

Eric Nicholls, chair of the Cornwall Manufacturers Group, which is sponsoring the schools element of the museum’s education programme, said: “The Duchy’s engineering accomplishments, past, present and future cannot be celebrated enough and I am delighted that some of our members, who contribute to the £732 million annual economic impact of manufacturing in Cornwall are part of this significant story.”

The exhibition at the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro runs through October 30.

European Spings MD, Michael Gibbs
European Spings MD, Michael Gibbs