SCHOOLCHILDREN got a close up look at the land speed record breaker, Babs – the car which claimed the title on April 28, 1926.

More than 130 youngsters at Agincourt School & Nursery in Monmouth learned all about her incredible journey to fame when she revved up her engine just for them on Thursday morning.

Driver John Parry-Thomas was behind the wheel when Babs broke the land speed record. During a later record-breaking attempt at Pendine Sands, Wales in March 1927, the car went out of control at speeds in excess of 150mph.

The car rolled over and tragically Parry-Thomas did not survive the accident. Babs was buried in the sand dunes at Pendine to later be discovered and lovingly restored by Owen Wyn Owen – the grandfather of five-year-old Agincourt pupil, Freddie.

Jennie Phillips, school headmistress, said: “Freddie’s parents had Babs ready to go to a rally in Penzance when they asked if the children would like to see her.

“It was an incredible experience for the pupils. They couldn’t get their heads around how fast she had gone.

"The boys absolutely loved it – she brought out the petrol heads in them."

Freddie’s dad, Dr Geraint Owen, joined the pupils on the day.

The headmistress said he was "brilliant".

She added: "He told the children all about Babs’ history and revved her up for them.

“We were standing quite far back and everyone had their hands over their ears because it was phenomenally loud.

“It was magical to have living history at school. The children’s faces were a picture.”

The record-breaking vehicle lives at the Museum of Speed in Pendine for the majority of the time now.