It’s difficult today to find a car ad that doesn’t have the “professional driver on a closed course” disclaimer in it, but the 1950s were a very different time. This fantastic video from 1956 shows brand new Chevys being jumped, rolled and crashed to promote safety and durability. It’s like a demolition derby mixed with a classic circus.
The feats in the video are astounding when you consider that this stuff was done without seatbelts or rollcages in massive ’50s cars that handle like a Mississippi paddle wheeler. The massive six to 10 metre jump is particularly impressive.
There are also plenty of slow-motion shots where you can watch the hilarious body roll of these great tanks. We need more promotional tours like this today!
Video here on YouTube via Reddit Classic Cars
