In the quaint village of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, a passion project involving a dilapidated 1935 Riley Kestrel has sparked controversy, drawing both admiration and ire from automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
Joel McNally, alongside his father Nigel, embarked on a daring journey five years ago when they stumbled upon the neglected vintage vehicle in Holland. What began as a spontaneous decision to rescue the rusty shell of the “Flying Kestrel” soon evolved into a heated debate over the fate of the aged automobile.
The McNally duo, fueled by sheer determination and mechanical expertise, dedicated months to painstakingly rebuilding the relic, transforming it into a powerhouse known for breaking land speed records.
However, their ambitious endeavor encountered a significant setback during its inaugural record attempt, resulting in a harrowing crash at a blistering 150 miles per hour that saw the car somersaulting five times.
Undeterred by adversity, they resurrected the Kestrel with a staggering 992 brake horsepower, propelling it to shatter seven records with merely half of its potential might.
Yet, amidst the acclaim for their engineering prowess, Joel McNally revealed a darker side to their journey – death threats from purists vehemently opposed to the transformation of the historic vehicle.
McNally expressed astonishment at the vehement backlash, citing the passion of traditionalists who adamantly advocate for preserving the car in its original state.
“I’ve received death threats over the car from enthusiasts – it’s hard to believe, but people are that passionate about keeping the car original,” McNally disclosed, highlighting the intensity of emotions stirred by their radical modification of the Riley Kestrel.
Despite the hostility, he remained resolute in defending their creative license, asserting, “At the end of the day, it’s our car; we can do what we want.”
The McNallys’ saga of automotive transformation reaches a pivotal juncture this month as they set their sights on a monumental milestone – breaking the elusive 200-mile-per-hour barrier.
Scheduled for June 17th in Yorkshire, the father-son team has spared no effort in fine-tuning the octogenarian Riley, overcoming technical hurdles, and enhancing its performance capabilities with nitrous oxide injections.
“Our goal is to surpass 200 mph, although the British weather this year hasn’t been cooperative,” McNally remarked with characteristic optimism, underscoring their unwavering determination to push the Kestrel to its limits.
As the countdown to their next speed trial looms, anticipation and controversy swirl around the fate of the Flying Kestrel.
Critics and supporters alike await the outcome of this audacious quest, which symbolizes not only a triumph of engineering ingenuity but also a clash of ideologies regarding the preservation versus adaptation of automotive heritage.
For Joel and Nigel McNally, the road ahead is fraught with challenges and scrutiny, but their unwavering spirit and dedication to pushing boundaries stand as a testament to the enduring allure of automotive innovation.
As they prepare to etch another chapter in the annals of land speed records, the world watches with bated breath, eager to witness if the transformed Riley Kestrel will indeed soar to new heights or remain a lightning rod for controversy in the realm of vintage car restoration.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
