As entertaining and as assaulting on all of the senses as modern-day Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars are, in terms of sheer performance, even they pale in comparison to the hydrogen peroxide-fueled rocket cars of the 1970s and 80s. Even on an off-pace run, the absolute marvels could clock 1/4-mile runs in the 4-second zone at over 300 mph, with all-time record-setting numbers — likely never to be matched — in the threes at more than 350 mph.

Unlike a Top Fueler (or any internal combustion-powered race car) which is wheel-driven and at the mercy of traction and the laws of physics, rocket cars operated on mere propulsion, and once the engine was lit, it was game-on. These engines combined fuel-grade hydrogen peroxide with platinum or silver, which created a chemical reaction and and incredible degree of thrust — enough to shatter windows within some proximity.

And in 1982, at the fabled Santa Pod Raceway in England, that’s precisely what rocket racing legend, the late Slam’n Sammy Miller, did. Miller, who owns the all-time record for a 1/4-mile at 3.58 seconds, was attempting to break the existing record (then in the 3.70s) in his Vanishing Point Funny Car when the thrust left in the car’ wake at the starting line shattered an entire row of glass windows in the track; control tower…much to the applause of the crowd on hand. Needless to say, though, it certainly got the attention of those IN the tower, who suddenly found shards of glass in their laps.