Cadillac XLR World's Fastest at Bonneville Speed Week

Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop pushed the envelope at the Bonneville Salt Flats during Speed Week. Its Cadillac XLR set a record of 222 mph and is now officially “The World’s Fastest Cadillac.”

The World's Fastest Cadillac, photo courtesy of Johnson's Hot Rod Shop The World's Fastest Cadillac, photo courtesy of Johnson's Hot Rod Shop
“This is a huge accomplishment for a new car that has just been completed,” said Alan Johnson, of Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop in Gadsden, Alabama. “I’m saying it was completed only a few days before Speed Week. After five months of working on it we went there with an unproven vehicle.”
Cadillac sets record at Bonneville Salt Flats, photo courtesy of Johnson's Hot Rod Shop Cadillac sets record at Bonneville Salt Flats, photo courtesy of Johnson's Hot Rod Shop

The World’s Fastest Cadillac was equipped with K&N Air Filters. “K&N has the biggest variety of sizes for filters,” said Johnson. “K&N always has something to fit anything we’re working with. K&N also protects the engines in all kinds of harsh environments.”

The project began in March and went to Bonneville without any testing and tuning. “The fact that we set that kind of record is an achievement in itself,” said Johnson. “Gramie Bartles drove the XLR to take the record. He built the chassis and worked closely with us on the build of this project to make sure it followed all the rules. We are really proud of all the hard work and extra effort that made this project happen.”

The Cadillac XLR will be back at Bonneville in October for the World Finals. “We’re going to try and pick up the speed by 20 mph,” said Johnson. “The car is a lot heavier than it appears to be, the more down force you have the better the traction is.”

Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop is currently working on 19 street rods and street machines. “We’ve always used K&N Products,” said Johnson. “Everything we work on gets K&N Filters. You can’t beat the quality.”

Follow The World's Fastest Cadillac through the Wold Finals at the K&N news site.  Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.