From February 3 to 7, 2027, Rétromobile will celebrate speed records with a monumental exhibition dedicated to Bluebird K7. Donald Campbell’s legendary hydroplane will make a special trip from Great Britain to Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
Produced in partnership with the Ruskin Museum, this exhibition will trace the history of the Campbell family and its pursuit of speed, from the records set by Sir Malcolm Campbell with his Blue Bird vehicles to the achievements of his son Donald with Bluebird K7. Through archival images and personal artifacts, visitors will discover the story of Bluebird K7, from its design to its restoration, nearly six decades after it sank in Coniston Water.
The Campbells: A Family on a Quest for Speed
Faster and faster, farther and farther. These are the words that define the story linking the Campbell clan to the Bluebird line of vehicles.
It all began with Sir Malcolm Campbell, a pioneer of speed records in the early 20th century. His cars and hydroplanes bore the name Blue Bird, inspired by Maurice Maeterlinck’s play The Blue Bird. His son Donald later adopted the name Bluebird for his own record-breaking vehicles.
After setting several land speed records, Malcolm Campbell turned his attention to the water. On August 19, 1939, Blue Bird K4 reached 228.108 km/h, setting a new water speed record.
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