[3] The land speed record was established on 29 April or 1 May 1899 at Achères, Yvelines near Paris, France.

The vehicle had two Postel-Vinay 25 kW motors, each driving the rear axle via a chain, running at 200 V and drawing 124 A each,[1][4] for about 68 hp total, and was equipped with Michelin tires.

He became known for his record-breaking speed runs and was nicknamed Le Diable Rouge ("The Red Devil") for the colour of his beard.

He competed fiercely against the carriage-maker Jeantaud in publicity stunts to see which of them made the fastest vehicles.

In order to ensure the triumph of his company, Jenatzy built a bullet-shaped prototype, conceived by the carriage-maker Rothschild in partinium (an alloy of laminated aluminum, tungsten and magnesium).