Might I suggest a really compelling book, published in 1936, called "Speed on Salt - A History of the Bonneville Salt Flats", by George Eyston and W. F. Bradly, with a great foreword by Sir Martin Campbell. It's been out of publication since, I believe, 1947 (and to anyone reading this, if I stand corrected, please let me know). The publisher was B. T. Batsford LTD, London. It's tough to find, but worth seeking out.
I stumbled across a copy at the Golda Meir library at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, about ten years ago. They wouldn't let me check it out - it was in the reserve section - but without the knowledge or permission of the librarians, I photocopied the whole thing, front to back.
It's almost as much a travelogue of America as it is a historical and period perspective on the Salt Flats, taken from a British viewpoint. It also documents Sir Campbell’s 300+ mph record runs in "Bluebird", the beautiful Rolls Royce powered streamliner. And the photos are fantastic. To see pics of old Fords and streamliners on the salt, then and now, you really get a feel for the way this sport has changed just enough to stay the same.
In fact, much of my interest in building an MG for the salt is an acknowledgement of the extent to which this obscure British book has inspired me.
