Here’s a real treat for historical gearheads: A stunt-driving film produced for Fisk Tire back in 1939. Lots of fascinating moments here—join in the fun and watch.
Beautifully made by Wilding Pictures with feature-movie production values, this 1939 Fisk Tire promotional film, entitled America’s Safest Tire, is pure gold for history buffs. There are fascinating moments from start to finish. Directing your attention to just a few of them:
+ Wonderful glimpses of golden-era Hollywood and many of its famous landmarks.
+ Classic 1930s-style thrill driving, including jumps, rollovers, ramp tumbles, and other early stunts.
+ Several scenes featuring a unique, customized Duesenberg J convertible that was owned by Cliff Bergere, a movie stuntman and race driver with 16 Indianapolis 500 starts, including a start from the pole position in 1946. He and his Duesey reportedly were hired out for $50 a day to the Hollywood studios, but his role in this film, if any, is not credited. We could assume he serves as the stunt driver in this production, but we don’t know that for sure.
The film was produced to promote the novel construction of Fisk’s premium Safti-Flight tire line. (“Striped for safety,” said the company’s ads.) Virtually forgotten today, the Fisk Tire Company, based in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, was once one of America’s leading tire brands. Enjoy the video—there’s so much going on here that you may want to watch multiple times.
https://youtu.be/CWUQ_Iiyh5U
Thought I knew Duesenbergs but I never saw that one!
Who can forget the ad with the child, the tire and the candle — “Time to Retire.”
cool old video . . . thanks for sharing . . .
I love how the test driver isn’t wearing a helmet or anything else safety-related. I guess that fedora will do just fine in a rollover.