It's designed to reach a record-breaking 1,000mph - making it faster than a speeding bullet.
British engineers this week finally begin construction on what they hope will be the world's fastest car.
It is hoped the Bloodhound, which has been in design for three years, will break the land speed record on a dried out lake bed in South Africa's Northern Cape in late 2012.
It is hoped the Bloodhound, which has been in design for three years, will break the land speed record on a dried out lake bed in South Africa's Northern Cape in late 2012.The record to beat: Bloodhound project leader Richard Noble with the Thrust SSC in 1997, which hit 763mph
The supersonic vehicle will be powered by a jet engine positioned above a hybrid rocket, a combination which should produce 135,000 horsepower - equivalent to the power of 180 Formula One cars.
Engineers at aerospace specialists Hampson Industries in Wigan have now been handed the designs for the car's steel-lattice rear chassis that houses its jet and rocket engines.
Spokesman Mark Abbey said: 'The team at Hampson is both honoured and excited to begin building the Bloodhound.'
The Bloodhound will begin runway testing in January next year ahead of going to South Africa to being its high-speed run programme.
The front section of the car will be built by engineers at Advanced Composites Group
Its 900mm diameter wheels, which will be made from an aluminium alloy, will have to withstand rotation in excess of 10,000rpm while simultaneously coping with dirt coming off the lake bed.
The land speed record was set by Andy Green in Thrust SSC in 1997 when it reached a top speed of 760mph.
He will also be the driver in the Bloodhound record attempt and is again working with two of his Thrust colleagues - project director Richard Noble and chief aerodynamicist Ron Ayres.
More than 4,000 schools are taking part in the team's simultaneous Bloodhound educational programme. The aim is to inspire pupils to pursue careers in science, engineering, technology and maths
Breaking the sound barrier: Thrust SSC breaks the world land speed record at Black Rock Desert in Nevada
Hard work: Local volunteers begin clearing the Hakskeenpan racetrack under the baking sun in November
World's fastest car? A prototype of the Bloodhound supersonic vehicle attracts some unwanted attention in London last October. Construction on the body that will house its jet and rocket engines finally begins this week
