Enter the world of stock car racing in the late 1950s. In “The Famous Measured Mile”, a film presented by the Perfect Circle Corporation, gorgeous cars are modified within regulation rules and pitted against each other in the most grueling test of speed, safety and ingenuity. Immediately followed by an announcer narrated play by play of the 42nd Annual Indianapolis 500. These guys endure all 500 laps bending around curves at 140 miles an hour and navigating through obstacles as other vehicles spin out of control and crash around them. This is a real treat for any car lover who enjoys top speed cruising, skilled driving and automotive ingenuity.

The film starts out featuring the sands of Daytona Beach where performance stock racing takes place, we soon see the Air Force Tthunderbirds followed by the Daytona Beach speed safety test and some old school racing.

At 2:28 Mechanic / hobbyist welding a vehicle guys working under the hood while narrating lists what forbidden and legal modifications that lighten the car and increase safety in case of emergency during the race.

3:37 cars are out for test runs on back roads. Opening up the vehicle at top speeds and brought to the beach to test vehicle and gain mastery for the driver. Driver explains the route as we watch dash came footage.

5:41 Once testing is done we’re treated to anotherThunderbird salute as the cars line up. Cars set up for 80 laps at 120+ miles an hour for top performing vehicles.

6:51 Race begins. It’s shocking and chilling too see how close crowds were allowed to gather near the sand filled track with cars fishtailing and spinning out of control. The crashes are fantastic as the vehicles really go head to head vying for space and an edge into the lead on the narrowest turns in the track.

7:12 Goldsmith’s #3 Pontiac is incredibly aggressive on the track looking to maintain his position in first.

11:20 The drivers go in for a victory lap, flanked by fans on all sides.

The 42nd International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 30, 1958. The event was part of the 1958 USAC National Championship Trail, and was included in the 1958 World Drivers Championship.

The race is best known for a massive first-lap, 15-car pileup that resulted in the death of fan-favorite driver Pat O’Connor.

Jimmy Bryan was the race winner. The race featured young rookie A. J. Foyt’s debut at Indy. On lap 148, he spun in an oil slick, blew out the tires, and dropped out of the race. This marked the first time that one car would carry two drivers to separate wins at the race, in back-to-back years, with Sam Hanks winning the previous years race in the same car.

Juan Manuel Fangio arrived at Indy under much fanfare as he attempted to qualify for the 500 and score points towards the World Championship. He practiced early in the month, but withdrew when he could not get up to speed.

12:00 Indianapolis 500 roadsters begin rolling in. Annual race with more formalized setting in stands and marching band. Each of the drivers are introduced. Balloons are released as the crowd silences and attention is turned to the track.

14:20 The purring of the motors is exhilarating as the cars are anxious to go and the parade lap begins.

15:50 The race begins and we watch the cars speed around the bends. The announcer excitedly calls out the driver’s movements and a catastrophic spin out takes out 14 cars littered all over the field. The mechanics, with no radios, don’t know what’s happening. Russo gets into the pit and announces the crash. 97 is totaled. Russo gets his boys going as he works on his car with them to get back in the race. He’s in!

19:20 The cars are bending around the curves again, much fewer cars, pacing at 141 mph. Cars are passing left and right as the lead struggles to maintain his position. It’s an all-out dog fight on the track.

21:48 Watch as the pit crews use vintage tools to quickly get the cars retooled and onto the track in record times (29 seconds).

22:21 close up of a driver whose face is completely exposed to the elements, covered in dirt.

22:46 46 second pit stop ends as 1st place car, Brian, keeps his lead

Boyd 22:20 enters the pits The total race is 375 miles, as the skill and engineering put themselves through the rigor of the hours long race.

24:00 Cars begin spinning our as the wear takes its toll on driver and car.

26:00 Brian and Amick get through the last two laps as the leaders

26:43 The race ends for the 42nd Indianapolis 500

27:02 Jimmy Brian promotes the piston ring from his sponsor.

27:48 Singer closes out the video singing about cars

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 and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com