PENDINE Sands has played host to another historic motoring occasion as the 90th anniversary of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s 150mph World Land Speed record was marked.

Hundreds of spectators gathered along the beach as Sir Malcolm’s grandson, Don Wales, took the wheel of Blue Bird, the 350hp Sunbeam, for a low-speed demonstration run. Two iconic pictures from the original run were also re-created.

The event, on Tuesday of last week, took place in conjunction with the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Blue Bird has been in the museum’s care since 1957, and following a complete mechanical re-build, was fired up again last year - the first time it had been heard in public in over 50 years.

Don Wales - who is also a Land Speed Record holder - said: “I was thrilled to be given this amazing opportunity to sit at the wheel of my grandfather’s car back in Pendine where he set his record. It was an honour both to follow in his footsteps and to drive this iconic car on such a special occasion.”

“My grandfather was a remarkable man, and for us to remember him and honour some of his achievements in this is very humbling.

“I really must thank Beaulieu for this opportunity and for all the hard work the restoration team have done on her.”

The National Motor Museum’s manager and chief engineer, Doug Hill, said: “When we were rebuilding the Sunbeam, I always hoped it would be finished by 2015 so we could run it here today on the 90th anniversary of the World Land Speed Record.”

Supporting the run will be the 1933 aero-engined Napier Railton Special, which holds the all-time lap record of 143.44mph at the Brooklands Museum and starred in the 1951 movie, Pandora & The Flying Dutchman.

In the film, which also features James Mason and Ava Gardner, the car is used for an attempt on the Land Speed Record, for which the action sequences were filmed on Pendine Sands during 1950 and the poet Dylan Thomas was an ‘extra’ in the crowd scenes.