Let’s visit the Dearborn Proving Grounds, where the Ford engineers are busy torturing the 1950 model line. 

Here in the 21st century, the facility featured here is part of the Ford Dearborn Development Center, but for much of its life it was known as the Dearborn Proving Grounds, and its history with the Ford Motor Company stretches all the way back to the Model T era. Henry and Edsel Ford originally developed the site as Ford Airport, one of the first major commercial airports in the USA (read our feature on Ford Airport here). But over the years its role gradually evolved and after numerous renovations, the complex is still in full-time use today as a vehicle testing facility.

In this little Ford film, entitled Triumph on the Track, the 1950 Ford cars are being given a comprehensive thrashing, which is rather interesting to note. While the 1949 Ford was an important design and a successful one, it was known to have a number of new product bugs. The company’s engineering team quickly went to work fixing the troubles for the following model year, generating the familiar Ford slogan, “50 ways finer in ’50!” This film was no doubt intended to help drive home the new-and-improved message. By the way: In the first few seconds of the footage, the clock tower of the Henry Ford Museum, next door to the proving grounds, can be seen in the background. Video below.