Italian VersionThe American Automobile Timeline 1899-1970
The American Automobile 1899-1970
Multimedial Historical Collection
Page 20
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1955
Michigan pioneers the requirement that motorists learn about safe driving.
The US Senate, Subcommitee of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, holds hearings on automobile marketing practices as part of an investigation of problems relating to interstate and foreign commerce.
The first McDonald's drive-in opens.
Bucket seats appear for the first time, in Corvettes and Thunderbirds.
At the beginning of this year Ford shows a new "car of the future", the Mystere.
Lincoln takes fins to a new height with its concept car La Tosca.
The forerunner to the Batmobile is also displayed, the new concept Ford Futura.
Jan. 25: Ernest Breech is elected Board Chairman of the Ford Motor Company.
April 15: Separate Lincoln and Mercury Divisions are established by Ford and the Special Products Operations becomes a Division.
Oct. 4: Ford introduces the Lincoln Continental Mark II.
The industry's first four-door "pillarless" hardtop sedans are offered by Buick and Oldsmobile on 1955 models.
Chevrolet introduces small-block V-8 engine on 1955 trucks.
General Motors testifies at government hearings on antitrust before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopoly.
The GM Savings-Stock Purchase Program (SSPP) is initiated.
The one-millionth hardtop leaves Buick's assembly line in 1955 and attracts customers with its fresh new body style.
Buicks this year quit their smiling front ends, a Buick hallmark since 1942. The mesh grilles are enclosed by a bulky bumper dipping in the center, with missile-type bumper guards protruding near both ends. Boomerang shaped chrome housings runs the full height of the rear Buick's fenders, for tail light and backup lamp placement.
Buicks are still top performance contenders, despite their somewhat sluggish appearance.
The engines of the 1955 model Buicks, feature redesigned cams. Manifolds and carbs feeds an outstanding 9:1 compression ratio. These durable engines can push their 4,200 pounds of Buick sheetmetal to speeds in excess of 110 mph! 0 to 60mph is reached in 11.2 seconds.
Drivers of Chrysler products built in 1955 are the first to enjoy the pleasures of Chrysler's all-transistor car radios.
Nov 23 1955, Flint Michigan. The GM big party & parade celebrates the 50million car produced. A milestone for the Automobile Industry.
Knowing very well he was a speed-freak, during the filming of The Giant with Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson, the studio forbade James Dean to engage in any kind of racing. The day after the film is completed, Jimmy is happily preparing for one of the year's most important and exciting sports car events. He leaves Los Angeles headed for the race in his Porsche. Suddenly at the intersection of Routes 466 and 41 near Cholame, a car appears. A collision and death comes instantly to Dean, age 24, on September 30, 1955. Jimmy is brought back to Fairmount and laid to rest in the Winslow family plot in Park Cemetery, Fairmount, a short distance from the farm on which he grew up. Funeral services are held at the Fairmount Friends Church on October 8, 1955.
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1955AmericanHarves.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:29:50 Audio/Visual: Sound, C Quality: # # # # #
American Harvest (1955)
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation
Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
This institutional film was designed to promote Chevrolet's corporate citizenship rather than any specific model of automobile. While it forcefully demonstrates how central automobile manufacturing is to the American economy, it even more strikingly shows the effects of the automobile upon the American landscape. Bombastic narration is accompanied by excellent images of automobile manufacturing, the extraction and processing of raw materials from the earth, and mid-1950s consumerism. Cinematography: Gordon Avil, Pierre Mols and Robert Tavernier. Music: Samuel Benavie. Narrator: John Forsythe. Revised from the original 1951 version.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 3 of this movie on YouTube
1955JuvenileDelinquency.mpg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:10:41 Audio/Visual: Sound, B&W Quality: # # # #
What About Juvenile Delinquency? (1955)
Producer: Centron Productions
Jim leaves the gang after it attacks his father, and joins other teenagers at City Hall to argue against the imposition of a curfew. Drama filmed in Lawrence, Kansas. Very interesting shots of epoca cars and streets.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
1955Magic-in-the-air.mpg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:08:12 Audio/Visual: Sound, B&W Quality: # # # # #
Magic in the Air (1955)
Sponsor: General Motors Corporation, Department of Public Relations
Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Introduces television and explains the workings of early television technology. Anticipates the important role of the future TV automobile commercials.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Miracle-on-the-Delaware.mpg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:09:31 Audio/Visual: Sound, C Quality: # # # #
Miracle on the Delaware (1955)
Producer: WPTZ Motion Picture Unit
Mid-Fifties slices of life and landscape in Philadelphia and surrounding towns. With excellent color footage of downtown scenes, neighborhoods, the Mummers Parade, Levittown, factories in Camden, New Jersey, and many other subjects that can no longer be seen. Producer and Director: Cal Jones. Cinematographer: Ralph Lopatin. Writer and Narrator: Dick McCutchen.
1955OperationCue.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:14:36 Audio/Visual: Sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Operation Cue (1955)
Sponsor: U.S. Federal Civil Defense Administration
Producer: U.S. Federal Civil Defense Administration
Eerie nuclear tests on houses, vehicles and dummies at the Nevada Test Site.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
1955TheDinamicAmerCityP2.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:28:42 Audio/Visual: Sound, C Quality: # # # # #
The Dynamic American City (1955)
Sponsor: Chamber of Commerce of the United States
Producer: Baskaw (Frederick J).
Film about urban redevelopment and renewal, 1950s-style. Supports many planning strategies which are criticized today: the destruction of "blighted" neighborhoods in the name of progress, autocentric planning and construction, and suburban sprawl.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 3 of this movie on YouTube
1955 Chevrolet Radio Ad.ram Available on CD
Run Time: 00:00:51 Audio/Visual: sound Quality: # # # # #
Filetype: Real sound Filesize: 108 KB
Producer: GM
Chevrolet radio ad.
1955Chevy-AD049991.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:31 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: GM
Chevrolet TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS01.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:51 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS02.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:52 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS03.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:51 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS04.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:53 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS05.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:51 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS06.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:52 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS07.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:51 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS08.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:51 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS09.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:52 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-Screen-ADS10.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:54 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # # # #
Producer: GM
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation.
One of ten Technicolor short theatrical screen ads promoting the 1955 Chevrolet models.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-SeeTheUSA-AD0491.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:20 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: GM
Chevrolet TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-TVAD0495.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:59 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: GM
Chevrolet TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-TVPromo04609.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:46 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: GM
Chevrolet TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955ChevyBigValue-AD046.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:59 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: GM
Chevrolet TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955ChevyMESeries-AD04-1.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:10:29 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Boxes and Balls (1955)
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation
Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Chevrolet theatrical ad.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
1955ChevyMESeries-AD04-2.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:09:04 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
One Step Further (1955)
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation
Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Chevrolet theatrical ad.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
1955ChevyMESeries-AD04-3.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:09:44 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Torque Talk (1955)
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation
Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Chevrolet theatrical ad.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
1955ChevyMESeries-AD04-4.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:09:22 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
It's Been There Before (1955)
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation
Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Chevrolet theatrical ad.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
1955ChevyMESeries-AD04-5.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:08:28 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Colorado Climax (1955)
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation
Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Chevrolet theatrical ad.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
1955ChryslerAd0434.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:25 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
Chrysler TV ad.
1955ChryslerSalesMovie.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:11:45 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # # #
Some Ideas to Help You Sell More Chryslers in 1955 (1955)
Producer: Chrysler
Chrysler sales movie featuring Virgil Exner.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this movie on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this movie on YouTube
1955DeSotoAD0432.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:18 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
DeSoto TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955DeSotoAD043SC1.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:18 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
DeSoto TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955DeSotoAD043SC2.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:18 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
DeSoto TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955DeSotoAD043SC3.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:18 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
DeSoto TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955DeSotoAD043SC4.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:18 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
DeSoto TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955DeSotoBetrYourLife.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:18 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
You Bet Your Life! (1955)
Sponsor: Chrysler - DeSoto Division
Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Popular TV show featuring Groucho Marx. Integral version, DeSoto ads included.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this video on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this video on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 3 of this video on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 4 of this video on YouTube
1955DDodgeTVAD01SC.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:18 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
Dodge TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955DDodgeTVAD02SC.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:18 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
Dodge TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Ford-AD0482941300.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:58 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Ford Motor Company
Ford TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Ford-ADTwoFords0400.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:33 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Ford Motor Company
Ford TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Ford-ADTwoFords04SC.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:33 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Ford Motor Company
Ford TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955NashTVadPluto-Mickey.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:30 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Nash TV ad featuring Mickey Mouse & Pluto.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955FreedomOfTheAmericanRoad.mpeg
Available on DVD Only
Run Time: 00:26:39 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # # # #
Freedom of the American Road (1955)
Producer: MPO Productions, Inc.
Henry Ford II introduces this film designed to encourage private citizens to unite and support road improvement. Part of the lobbying campaign that culminated in legislation authorizing the Interstate Highway system in 1956, this film shows community efforts to improve and increase safety on the Bayshore Highway in the San Francisco Bay Area; congestion in Pittsburgh and the Golden Triangle redevelopment area; the economic benefits of Boston's circumferential highway, Route 128; and safety education in St. Joseph, Missouri. Narrator: Westbrook van Voorhis.
1955Nwsreel-CarPlane1-10.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:10 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # # # #
This Clip is contained into a complete newsreel
Producer: Universal Newsreel
A report about a new car-plane.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955NewsReelSoapBoxDerby-1-15.mpg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:15 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # # #
This Clip is contained into a complete newsreel
Producer: Universal Newsreel
A newsreel report from the 1955 final competition of the All American Soapbox Derby at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955NYC-IdeaCarsShow:mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:15 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # # #
This Clip is contained into a complete newsreel
Producer: Universal Newsreel
A newsreel report from the 1955 Idea Cars Show in New York City..
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955PlymouthAd0433.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:46 Audio/Visual: sound, C Quality: # # #
Producer: Chrysler
Plymouth TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955PontiacStyling-adFrag.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:09:16 Audio/Visual: silent, C Quality: # # # # #
Sponsor: Pontiac Division, General Motors Corporation
This is just a collection of close up of features on 1955 Pontiacs, which looked to be supplied to dealers to build their own commercials from. For all you car enthusiasts this is actually quite interesting as we see everything! The trunk. the crest on the car. And most especially the dashboard, which was quite interesting.
Click HERE to watch Part 1 of this video on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 2 of this video on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 3 of this video on YouTube
Click HERE to watch Part 4 of this video on YouTube
1955tbird-ad-bw-mute98452-b.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:42 Audio/Visual: silent, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Ford Motor Company
Ford TV ad.
1955DeSotoTV-intro-GrouchoMarx.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:41 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # # #
Producer: Chrysler
DeSoto TV ad.
1955PackardTVAD01SC.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:55 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: Packard
Packard TV ad.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Motorama01SC.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:18 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: unknown
Color footage of the 1955 Motorama in New York City..
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
1955Chevy-AD049991.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:31 Audio/Visual: sound, B&W Quality: # # #
Producer: GM
October 1955 Chevrolet TV ad for the 1956 model.
Click HERE to watch this video on YouTube
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The American Automobile Timeline 1899-1970 - Multimedial Historical Collection (Over 1200 files)
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Last update: June-07-2009
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