These amazing images just keep coming, each roll more exciting than the last. Today's are the best yet? He was a true documentarian.
So the DC-3 with the Pegasus is from Mobil oil, one of mickeys sponsors ?? There has got to be a lots of film shot by Goodyear, British Lealand and ?? plus what has got to be hundreds of stills ?? We need more
Wasn’t British Leyland in 1959, it was British Motor Corporation that was later bought by Leyland. British Pathe has loads of news reels; And one of Challenger I https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/110388/
Wow, these are awesome. Casually working on a racecar at Bonneville, under the shade of an airplane wing is cool as hell!
Seriously though - does anyone have more concrete info on the timing of these shots? Or when exactly Goodyear wrapped the shoot in ‘59? I’ve made two calls to two separate old-timers who were there, and both conversations ended in a fog of half-memories and loud confusion. One even accused me of being a “damned reporter.” I’m all for respecting your elders, but I also have my limits… Truth is, I really miss Alex Xydias. If I’d gotten my hands on these images before he passed, I could’ve made one call, gotten a history lesson, a great quote, and probably a dirty joke for good measure. The man remembered everything and was so damned sharp… Anyway, if you know something - or know someone who might - drop a line.
Can’t help directly with the Goodyear shoot but according to this article the MG team arrived in Wendover and ran EX219 on 8th September but Phil Hill didn’t run in EX181 (the MG in the pics) until 3rd October https://www.mgcc.co.uk/articles/bonneville-swan-song/
And the notes on the roll say: “August, 1959” Which would make sense… Speed Week and all. I think it had to be before the actual event started though… There are zero spectators, no other cars, etc… Almost like the SCTA blocked off some time just for those guys going after big records - but that wouldn’t make a ton of sense given the lost revenue of such a thing.
The timing stand pic says “EX219” on it, the article says they only ran it on 8-10 September and then it rained on the 12th. Which backs up your August date if he dated his reels when he put them in.
Simply magnificent! Hopefully there is a shot of the tail number on that DC-3. That isn't just any gooney bird, if you look closely, that particular DC-3 has the special clamshell fairings that fully enclose the landing gear when retracted!
Each image tells a story and each is worth studying. My favorite is pushing the beast onto the trailer, with the young boy helping, giving all he can to the effort. Priceless.
It wasn't uncommon back then, nor is it today, to "rent out" the speedway for a singular record attempt. Mickey did it, as did the Summers Bros with Goldenrod (there's a doc on their attempt as well). When Craig Breedlove lawn darted the Spirit of America into the lake at the end of the course in '64, it was a singular attempt (closed course). So, not as uncommon as one might think. Hell, Budweiser courted Moon Equipment Co and Gary Gabelich to take the Moon streamliner on a "record run" on a closed course at Bonneville for a commercial back in the '60s. Mike Cook's Landspeed Shoutout is a good example of a more contemporary meet where only the fastest of the fastest are allowed to participate. Speedweek's popularity is a more recent fad. There wasn't a lot of spectators back in the day. It was racers, crew, and a few outliers and that was about it. And "lost revenue"? Short of selling hats, shirts, posters, etc. what revenue does SCTA generate from the general public? It's a free event, or at least it was. In fact, lack of revenue is one of the biggest hurdles facing landspeed racing and why the Save the Salt organization is so important.
understood…. BUT, all articles I’ve read about Mickey’s attempt at 400mph in both 59 and 60 state it was during speed week… That’s where my curiosity is mostly. I talked to an old photographer earlier this week who was actually there in ’59. He said they were all milling around in the hotel parking lot when Mickey and his crew rolled by, towing Challenger I behind the Pontiac. Naturally, they jumped in their car and chased him straight out to the salt. The only problem? He can’t remember what day it was. My gut says it was either Saturday or Sunday, just before the official kickoff of Speed Week. Makes the most sense—quiet salt, less chaos, better conditions for filming and record attempts…
The Jalopy Journal
