See the all-new 1957 Ford lineup put to the test by speed-crazed stunt drivers in this awesome old promotional film.

The great Bill McGaw, originally from Philadelphia, was a successful and prolific thrill show operator with touring companies that criss-crossed the country under multiple names, including the Motor Olympics, Tournament of Thrills, and Auto Circus. A Hollywood stunt man and character actor as well, he played fellow thrill show promoter Joie Chitwood in the classic racing flick To Please a Lady starring Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck.

But in this promotional spot, McGaw is playing himself as he pitches the performance and safety benefits of the 1957 Ford passenger car lineup. The Fords were all new for ’57, and for us, this is a pretty slick presentation. As you know, here at Mac’s Motor City Garage we’re big fans of the old-time thrill shows. They were a favorite marketing tool of the automakers in pushing the ruggedness of their products. We’ve previously featured an early film starring Jimmy Lynch and Lucky Teeter with the 1936 Plymouths, and another fine clip with Joie Chitwood and the 1956 Chevrolets. More recently, we featured Joie Chitwood showboating the 1966 Chevy lineup at the GM Proving Grounds. 

Along with the standard thrill show stunts, including ramp driving and the over-and-under jump, there are two additional great gimmicks in this reel. A ’57 Ford is run stripped of its bodywork to show off the all-new perimeter chassis and suspension that year, and a convertible is converted into a rolling trapeze rig for a female aerialist. There’s no business like show business. Grab some popcorn and watch this.