He persuaded the Air Ministry to allow him a Schneider Trophy-tuned "Sprint" engine, as fitted to the Supermarine S.5 seaplane, of 900 hp (670 kW).

Blue Bird’s body shape was substantially changed, with the famous coachbuilders Mulliner producing the bodywork.

A vertical tail fin was added for stability, a first for Blue Bird and land speed record cars.

A dry lake bed in South Africa, the Verneukpan, was still 450 miles (720 km) from Cape Town, but did have some chance of access.

The surface radiators were replaced by a conventional circular nose opening, covered by a distinctive "birdcage" grille.

Campbell returned to Cape Town, where on his 44th birthday he learnt that Henry Segrave at Daytona Beach had set a new record in Golden Arrow at 231.44 mph (372.47 km/h).