Synopsis
This short film touts the superiority of the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air over Ford and Plymouth. The reasons given include high engine torque twisting power at the transmission (:14); matched rear axles (:23), better weight distribution provides traction to the rear wheels (:28), and better power-to-weight ratio (:39). These points are visualized as a Chevy is shown pulling 16 different full-size makes from other car companies (:48). A dynamometer ( 1:19 ) measures engine power. A special torque wheel is installed ( 1:27 ) for testing and the results are displayed on a torque meter ( 1:39 ). A burette ( 1:42 ) is used to measure fuel consumption at different speeds and an oscillograph (today called an oscilloscope) ( 1:47 ) calculates accelerating capabilities by time, distance, and speed. An engineer flips through the charts proving Chevrolet’s excellence ( 2:04 ). A Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth are put to the test in a controlled race ( 2:20 ). The three cars are comparably priced, have a V-8 engine, and a standard transmission. Three professional NASCAR drivers ( 2:41 ) are used that will alternate cars for each challenge. The first test is accelerating ability ( 3:24 ), in which the Chevy wins by more than a car length. The drivers trade cars for the return drive ( 4:05 ), and the Chevy again triumphs. The second test is hill-climbing ability ( 4:40 ) up a 7.2 grade, hitting 70 miles per hour. The Chevy does it easily. A much steeper 16% grade is now conquered by the Chevy,…
Uploader's description on archive.org
Details
- Running time
- 8 minutes
- Language
- English
- Collection
- Ephemeral Films
Subjects on the Internet Archive
- Stock Footage