Scott Birdsall has successfully set a 423 km/h top speed record at the 2026 Bonneville Speed Week. This performance officially makes his 1991 Toyota Hilux the fastest bakkie in the world…
The Toyota Hilux isn’t a bakkie known for achieving top speed records. However, an American speed fanatic has shown that, with enough time and money, this is, indeed, possible. Scott Birdsall’s specially engineered 1991 Hilux land speed pickup has conquered the Bonneville Salt Flats once again, achieving an incredible 423 km/h top speed. Birdsall set this record during the 2026 Bonneville Speed Week, which took place over the first week of August this year.
Featuring iconic Toyota TRD livery, the aerodynamic bakkie adopts a heavily modified 2JZ-GTE inline-six engine producing 956 kW. Birdsall commissioned ALC Racing to apply a Brian Crower billet crankshaft, custom rods, and high-performance pistons built to handle extreme boost pressures. A specialised Haltech engine management system monitors critical telemetry parameters during high-speed runs.
The chassis features an extended cab configuration that shifts the driver backwards for enhanced safety packaging. A custom Pro Mod roll cage protects the pilot while meeting strict sanctioning body regulations. Suspension upgrades include an equal-length four-link rear setup with a Panhard bar and custom front control arms fitted with motorsport dampers. Exterior aerodynamics incorporate subtle roof fins to prevent instability and rollovers during high-velocity excursions. The tyres are rated for speeds in excess of 400 km/h. Birdsall targeted a 240 mph (386.24 km/h) top speed within the competitive stock body class. While Birdsall applied some substantial modifications, it’s worth pointing out how impressive it is for a 35-year-old bakkie to reach Bugatti Chiron levels of speed.
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How Birdsall’s 423 km/h Toyota Hilux compares to the original
The 1991 Toyota Hilux was designed to be a lightweight, functional compact bakkie built for durability across global commercial markets. Factory engines included the robust 2.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol and 22R 2.4-litre units, sold alongside the 2.4-litre 2L diesel variant. The engines delivered modest outputs, with petrol variants generating up to 84 kW and 192 N.m of torque.
Standard rear-wheel-drive layouts utilised a traditional ladder-frame chassis with double-wishbone front suspension and a heavy-duty rigid rear axle with leaf springs. Simple interior appointments emphasised utility over comfort, offering basic analogue instrumentation, manual wind-up windows, and vinyl bench seating. High ground clearance and a payload capacity exceeding 900 kg established the fifth-generation platform as a reliable workhorse.
Why Bonneville Speed Week is a big deal
Bonneville Speed Week originated on the salt flats of Utah during the early 20th century as petrolheads searched for top-end thrills. Pioneers drove experimental purpose-built cars across the salt flats, establishing legendary benchmarks for internal combustion performance. The historic gathering evolved into an organised annual pilgrimage sanctioned by the Southern California Timing Association.
Engineers and fabricators head to the remote desert in droves to test custom-built cars against strict speed class records. Technological innovation allows us to see speeds that surpass 450 km/h, including computer-designed aerodynamics and advanced drivetrain systems. The salt-flat venue provides a unique proving ground where builders validate experimental concepts beyond conventional tarmac circuits.
