The Thrust SSC (right) achieved 763.035mph over a one mile stretch of US desert. This amazing feat was performed by British fighter pilot Andy Green.

The twin Rolls-Royce Spey 202 jet engines generate 50,000lb of thrust.

Fastest furniture

On May 11 2007 Marek Turowski managed to break the national speed limit without leaving his sofa.

The motorised couch, designed and built by Auto Trader TV show presenter Edd China, reached 92mph on the two-mile-long Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome runway in Leicestershire.

Most crash tests

By March 2007 W.R. “Rusty” Haight from the USA had crashed 846 times - on purpose. He works at the Collision Safety Institute crashing cars fitted with an array of sensors.

By gathering data to improve vehicle safety Rusty crashes cars, so we don’t have to.

Most people crammed into a Mini

The old favourite which continues to be broken. The latest successful attempt was carried out by 22 Spanish friends on June 11 2006.

The Spaniards managed to contort themselves into the classic mini while on the TV set of Guinness World Records – El Show de los Records.

Heaviest eyelid pull

Not one for the squeamish. On September, 26 2006, Dong Changsheng of China pulled a one-and-a-half-tonne car for ten metres.

Sound easy? He was using ropes attached to his lower eyelids.

Most cars built in one year

The year 2005 saw the birth of more cars than any other in history. 64.496 million were built – the equivalent of 176,700 cars per day.

Furthest distance for a vehicle on two wheels

The Austrian Johann Redl managed to drive a 7,420kg Steyr 891 delivery truck on two wheels for an unbelievable 10.19 miles.

The dizzying feat was accomplished on 18 June 2004 at Wels Airport, Austria.

Biggest selling hybrid car

650,000 Toyota Prius hybrid have been built since it was introduced in 1997 - making it the most popular hybrid car by a country mile.

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Interviews
Auto Talk: Auto Trader TV show presenters
Auto Talk: Wing Commander Andy Green

The Weird World of Wheels