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Post by mikael on Oct 19, 2017 4:55:28 GMT
You may all be aware of this film, made by/for Shell; anyway, just in case I post it here. I find it one of the most beautiful F1 documentaries I have ever seen. I first became aware of this film when it was posted on a Danish Historic Motor Racing website. The owner of that website posted the film under the title: "When the sponsors promoted the sport, rather than vice versa". It's very true. (Just click on the link below)
On Shell's page at:
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Post by charleselan on Oct 19, 2017 10:47:09 GMT
It is a superb film Mikael, I first viewed it a few years ago and now have it in my archive. Another excellent film is of the same venue but in 1958 and there is a beautiful sequence in it of Tony Brooks flat out in the Vanwall on the Masta Straight, truly wonderful. It unfortunately does not appear to be available on YouTube. I have often wondered where all of the fantastic films of motor sport over the decades are, such as the wonderful Shell film you have alerted members to.
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Post by René on Oct 19, 2017 11:07:51 GMT
Thanks Mikael for sharing this link and starting the first new thread!  I have seen this film before but there is never a risk of seeing it too much. Such a wonderful footage and how times have changed. This is the Shell poster of the movie. I love the vintage design.  |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 19, 2017 13:25:35 GMT
Thanks also René for that is a truly beautiful poster, and everything that the 1950's was about. I do not doubt that you noticed the Ferrari Super Squalo as the car image within the design. I must say that I find the "front engined" Formula One cars so appealing and dare I say they have a romantic feel about them; and every one of them distinct and easily recognisable. On the same theme of 1950's GP films there is another superb one on of the 1956 French GP from Reims featuring the Lancia Ferrari's and an early stunning performance of the Vanwall driven by Harry Schell. As an aside my main Christmas present in 1959 was a book called "BP Book of Motor Racing" which I treasure to this day, and as can be seen from the sellotape spine it saw much use. In it is a very period driver profile of Harry Schell. Attachment DeletedAttachment Deleted |
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Post by René on Oct 19, 2017 16:19:04 GMT
I must say that I find the "front engined" Formula One cars so appealing and dare I say they have a romantic feel about them; and every one of them distinct and easily recognisable. Yes, I have become to appreciate the 50's more and more over the years. The cars are truly beautiful and drivers were real hero's. Did you ever read the story about Fangio and how he was held hostage in Cuba once? I have it somewhere in a book and it's amazing. Even the rebels were impressed by him! And that looks like a really beautiful book. Thanks for sharing. |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 19, 2017 17:32:23 GMT
I do indeed know of the Fangio kidnap in Cuba, I am old enough to actually recall it from back in its original time, it was all overt the Uk newspapers at the time.
It is a beautiful book René and one I treasure, they also did one about motorcycle racing at the same time and although I did not get it until several years later it is equally good.
I have just been watching a wonderful film of the 1957 Reims Grand Prix which wasn't a world championship event as it was held at Rouen that year. The organisers offered big money to attract a class field as they were a bit miffed at not having the WC event that year. It is on YouTube and was featured in the American series called "Motor Racing Legends". The race won by Stuart Lewis-Evans in a Vanwall and the soundtrack of the Lancia Ferrari's and 801's is breathtaking.
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Post by mikael on Oct 20, 2017 1:29:06 GMT
A beautiful poster indeed, René. It only dawned to me by a second look that it is the poster for the re-release of the movie, and that it says 2013 (and hence why you wrote "vintage design"). But once there was a tradition for beautiful posters to promote big motor racing events. The following webpage includes the original poster for the actual event, 5 June 1955. (But unfortunately, it appears that it is set up in such a (sly) way that the posters cannot be downloaded.) www.progcovers.com/motor/posters.htmlI became interested in original motor racing posters when the Japanese version of the American magazine "Car and Driver" some years ago published a number of such posters (for the Le Mans 24h) in an issue (in a4 format.) It might be a tradition that has been lost (not completely but to a large extent) here in the "internet age". But program cover design, that continues to be an art. The main site ( progcovers.com/ ) contains an impressive collection of close to 25.000 motor racing program covers. |
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Post by René on Oct 20, 2017 14:02:53 GMT
A beautiful poster indeed, René. It only dawned to me by a second look that it is the poster for the re-release of the movie, and that it says 2013 (and hence why you wrote "vintage design"). Mikael, indeed that is the movie (re-release) poster and not the actual Grand Prix event poster. Thanks for the link to the posters, you can imagine this is also very much in line with my field of interest. Over the years some great graphic artwork has been made relating to motor sport. I really wish I had an entrance with the FIA so I could design the program covers or the posters! That would be a dream project for me! Nice to read you are also interested in these posters and covers. |
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Post by René on Oct 20, 2017 14:05:40 GMT
the soundtrack of the Lancia Ferrari's and 801's is breathtaking. Talking about the soundtrack of the Lancia-Ferrari and pure mastery, have you guys seen this one: |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 20, 2017 16:08:30 GMT
I think that film was shot sometime later than contemporary times, maybe even in the 1970's. The V8 in the Lancia-Ferrari sounds fantastic; gutsy and powerful just as a V8 should sound, not a high pitched scream like those dreadful 2.4 V8's of a few years back.
There was a fabulous film on YouTube a few years back of the 1955 Pau GP which was a non championship race but had a very good grid of cars including Alberto Ascari in the then new Lancia D50. He really had that car wound up and was flying, but sadly it was too new and later retired from the race, but the footage was sensational. A real shame it has gone from YouTube; I have a motto and that is get them while they are there  .
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Post by René on Oct 20, 2017 17:59:33 GMT
I think that film was shot sometime later than contemporary times, maybe even in the 1970's. Never noticed that before but looking at the parked cars you could right (of course you're right ) Amazing footage nevertheless. |
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Post by Carl on Oct 20, 2017 23:17:48 GMT
Thank you Mikael,
And thanks also to the Shell promotional film division at the time. What a wonderful film!
An interesting take-away for me is the difference in driving styles between Fangio and Moss. Perhaps Fangio's set-up was better for the conditions that day, but for whatever reason his steering inputs are clearly smoother and more consistent than those of his pursuing teammate, Moss.
As I remember, at one point Denis Jenkinson is clearly visible in one of the pits.
A great film of the classic Spa/Francorchamps circuit!
Best regards, Carl
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Post by Carl on Oct 20, 2017 23:37:02 GMT
Here is another classic film showing Juan Manuel Fangio in his Mercedes W196 dueling at high speed with Jack Brabham in his considerably more modern Repco Brabham. This was filmed in 1978 at Sandown Park in Melbourne, Australia, formerly a regular Tasman Series venue. These two great champions display great respect for each other while also having a ball.
Best regards, Carl
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Post by Carl on Oct 21, 2017 3:23:15 GMT
Hello Mikael, and thank you again! The racing poster website you recommended is wonderful! (www.progcovers.com/motor/posters.html) Of course, I went first to Riverside International Raceway and will be there for awhile slowly perusing every program cover, including many I remember well. Wow!
Thanks again, Carl
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Post by charleselan on Oct 21, 2017 10:35:50 GMT
Talking of Fangio, I can vividly remember reading about the initial re-opening of Donington Park where they had many past greats demonstrating race cars. JM Fangio was principle guest as one would expect and even in his advancing years he was still giving the cars he demo'd the berries (English motorcycling turn of phrase for the uninitiated). One Daniel Sexton Gurney was standing in the pits watching and whooping and jumping around like a small boy as the great man gave it full power out of the chicane onto the pits straight. That is what I call reverence, and from another great race driver to boot.
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