This great old promotional film from 1952 shows original hot rods in action all over Southern California—on the street, at the Santa Ana drag strip, and on the El Mirage dry lake. Don’t miss it!
We have to admit we don’t know a ton about this old film, preserved as part of the enormous Prelinger Archives in the Library of Congress. We know it was produced in Southern California circa 1952, stars two actual teenagers, Melvin Potts (stepson of speed equipment pioneer Earl Evans) and Thera Ward, and features a whole bunch of very cool early hot rods filmed doing their thing on the streets and at Santa Ana and El Mirage. Which makes the film priceless in our book.
It’s not hard to guess the movie’s original purpose: first, to encourage youngsters of the time to take their racing impulses off the highway and onto sanctioned racetracks; and next, to show civic authorities the wisdom in providing such facilities.
So the script is thin and the acting is implausible. Sure, like we care. We’re watching just for the priceless opportunity to see authentic, real-deal hot rods in their original element. It’s not long, only 12 minutes, but it sure is fun. Grab some Junior Mints and enjoy the movie.
Mel’s an a-hole. No doubt he went into a career in the financial industry. And how does a kid like that afford a five year old Buick? I’ll bet he sells “tea” down in the barrio.
Sweet hot rods though. Hopefully Mel has some money left over for new shock absorbers. That thing was bobbing up and down like a speedboat.
Loved it! Not a bit less cheesy than “Deuce of Spades”, or Henry Gregor Felsons’s “Street Rod”. Great fun, great cars, and that streamliner is one of the most iconic hot rods of all time. I wonder though, did Mel’s girl like the hot rod as well as the Buick rag top? My gal likes our ’48 Pontiac convertible MUCH better than she liked the ’36 Speedster…
Wow, what a great look back into a simpler time! When cars were simple enough that you could actually work on them and it didn’t cost a fortune to go racing! Love seeing thes old films, much better than static pics. Don’t know where you find all this stuff, but keep’em coming!
Ahh this film just relaxes you and makes you happy. Different happy than ‘Fast and Furious’ for sure 🙂 Great find! Will definitely re-share!
Cheers!
I met a lady on the internet 8 years ago. She read I go to Bonneville,and she told me her father and his stepfather went there in the 50s. I asked her grandpa’s last name? She said’ Evans’. I asked ‘Earl Evans’ ? She was surprised I had ever heard of him. That’s probably her dad on the film.I doubt she knows this film exists.
Awesome Bill, love it when he runs his Buick into the “jalopy” and they keep on going shaking their heads, today that would have been a $6000 accident, possibly a write off!
A very dear friend from high school (1964 grad) sent this to me He still races bikes at Bonnivelle every year. My first “jelopy” was a 30 model A coulpe choped top that I put a flat head V-8 in at age 14. I loved every moment of this film. It took place 8 years before I started High School no the very real 63 years on the clock today. It made me feel young again and wish that all High Schoolers could go through such innocent times.
Great movie. Thanks. Maybe you can locate more of them