Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Old-Nail]

Picture the scene, it's Sunday afternoon and outside the wind is howling.
Rain, rather than falling vertically is coming horizontally, rattling and lashing at my windows... so what to do?

Well here was my solution for yesterday, turn up the heating, make a nice cup of tea, a packet of hobnobs, and sit in my comfy chair watching DVDs of the 1955/56 Monte Carlo rally!

I have mentioned these dvd's once before but for anyone interested in classic motor sport they are well worth buying.
Filmed by the Standard motor co. to follow their factory team, the stories cover both 1955 and 1956 Monte's.



The narration is in typical clipped 'stiff upper lip' tones and backed with that 50's music that was used for all the public information films of the day!
It's great to see some of these oldies battle it out over hundreds of gruelling miles, covering lots of different terrain, and encountering everything the weather can throw at them along the way.



Interestingly the streets used for the rally route were not cleared of traffic for the stage so obstacles such as frenchmen on bicycles, stray dogs and children stroll across the road only seconds before a vehicle tears by at breakneck speed!





There are time trials, braking and obstacle trials, and more than a few spills along the way until finally the cars arrive in Monte-Carlo for the circuit of the town.





Perhaps the most amazing aspect of these old rallies is the fact that having driven these cars over a punishing course, traversed mountains and navigated through fog, snow and ice, they casually step out of their vehicles (dressed in nothing more than slacks and a cardigan) to wash and clean their vehicles ready for a concours competition at the finish!



If you would like to see Standard 10's, Sunbeams, Talbot 80's, Rover 90's, Zephyr's etc. etc. driven at a pace to put shame on most moderns - and battling it out for the finish line then I really do recommend these films.

Available from motorfilms.com

It made my rain lashed Sunday thoroughly enjoyable, pity Mrs. Nail missed it really...but someone had to go out to do the shopping!

[Penman]

hi
Do you remember this?

http://www.tonyhancock.org.uk/radio1-12.html

It is only a synopsis, not a recording.

[peter scott]

That sounds like excellent viewing Old Nail.

Here's some footage from the 1950 Alpine Rally. B&W but quite good too..

(A must for RM and TD enthusiasts)

Peter

http://www.itnsource.com/en/Entire-Archive/Search/ShotListNonDigitised/?ref=/Bpathe/1950/01/01/BP010150180103.htm&links=1950%2cALPIN%2cRAL&thumb=/img/assets/no_preview_available_pathe.png&duration=

Click on "View this story"


There are a Monte Clips too..

http://www.itnsource.com/en/Entire-Archive/Search/ShotListNonDigitised/?ref=/Bpathe/1956/01/26/BP26015656533.htm&links=1956%2cMONT%2cCARLO%2cRAL&thumb=/img/assets/no_preview_available_pathe.png&duration=

and one for all the Mini fans..


http://www.itnsource.com/en/Entire-Archive/Search/ShotListNonDigitised/?ref=/Bpathe/1960/01/01/BP010160271101.htm&links=1960%2cMONT%2cCARLO%2cRAL&thumb=/img/assets/no_preview_available_pathe.png&duration=

[Old-Nail]

Wonderful stuff Peter, I wish I had a library full of that type of footage!

The road featured in the second clip looks like the Stelvio pass, imagine racing down that in a 50's family saloon with drum brakes!

[peter scott]

Brakes! What are they?





p.s. I found the full version of the 1950 film so the links above have been edited.

[poodge]

Thanks for those links,Peter.Great stuff.
I'm amazed to see some cars,including the Standard 10,Panhard Dyna,etc. still modestly sporting their hub caps(or "knave plates",as they might still have been known then).
On the first film,someone obviously got a horn for christmas.They are constantly playing with it,rather arrogantly,i thought.
Unless that is a sound effect,added by the editors:).