Shell presents “Coupe des Alpes — The Story Of The 1958 Alpine Rally,” a color film recalling the aforementioned race. (Officially called Coupe des Alpes, the rally competition was based in Marseille, France and held from 1932 to 1971. In the 1950s and the 1960s, it was among the most prestigious rallies in the world and featured an international route, consisting of famous mountain passes in Europe.) “Fifty-six production cars from eight countries struggling to win — a cup. An Alpine Cup. The dream of every rally driver,” a narrator says sardonically at mark 01:30 before continuing his explanation of the the rally’s 2,400 mile course through France and Italy, all while animation traces the trail and three stages. Drivers get only three breaks over 73 hours, along with 73 checkpoints. “One second late, and your cup is lost,” says the narrator ominously.
Mark 02:37 takes us to Marseille as cars prepare for the start of the race, including 1956 champion Michel Collange. As the film progressive there is footage from both alongside the roads and behind the windshield of the cars as they zip in and out of traffic and navigate dangerous curves, twisting roads, and mountainous passages. Night falls in France at mark 06:20 as the opening strains of “La Marseillaise” plays in the background and racers reach the French-Italian border. The race continues through Monza (mark 07:05) and by mark 08:30 the first stage of the race has ended. Although 56 crews began the race, 12 had dropped out and 28 had arrived late to their checkpoint, leaving only 16 possible winners.
The second stage takes the races toward Austria and then back toward France as the route is shown on a map. Picturesque scenes are interrupted by speeding racers as the narrator explains the action. Dusk falls again at mark 19:45 and cars move from the Dolomites in northeastern Italy back toward the Alps. In his first rally, Bernard Consten and his Alfa Romeo Giulietta are shown reaching another checkpoint at mark 20:14 as we learn nine more cars have dropped out of the race and five more lost time, leaving 11 potential champions.
The final 1,100 miles lay ahead starting at mark 21:10 as the trip is again mapped out for the viewer and we see Consten and other races put their cars through their paces. Night falls at mark 28:50 as the rally rolls on into morning. Finally, at mark 33:20, we see the finish line and it’s Consten who is the first of seven crews to complete the course and collect his Alpine Cup.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
