MURRAY — One of Utah's most famous — and star-crossed — race cars, the City of Salt Lake, will be unveiled at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 31, at The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital campus, 5848 S. 300 East in Murray.
Over the past three decades, the car has been meticulously restored by Butch Graham, son of the late Athol Graham, who died on Aug. 1, 1960, while attempting to race the car to a world land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Athol Graham built the car himself for $2,000 in his Salt Lake garage to challenge Sir John Cobb's then-world record of 394 mph. Graham was traveling at more than 300 mph when the City of Salt Lake suddenly lost a wheel and went out of control, bouncing for 80 yards and then flying through the air for 164 yards. Graham died less than three hours later from injuries sustained in the crash.
Members of Graham's family, including his wife, Zeldine, will be at the unveiling. The public is invited to attend.
— Lee Benson