“VASCAR” (1966) is a color, informational film produced by the Indiana State Police that sheds light on the Vascar (Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder) device. Invented in 1966 by Richmond-area real estate agent Arthur Marshall, Vascar was used for calculating the speed of a moving vehicle and revolutionized the way police were able to monitor speeding vehicles. The film is composed of scenes of Indiana State Police patrolling highways and detailing their step-by-step use of the Vascar device.
Upbeat piano music plays as camera comes into focus on highway (0:06). Perhaps red 1960 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible speeds past, perhaps 1966 Rambler Police Cruiser follows swiftly behind (0:25). Close-up female driver of convertible wearing red and white striped top, thick cat eye sunglasses, and hair wrapped in white scarf and close-up of speedometer (0:47). Interior POV shot from police cruiser dashboard looking out at highway and red convertible ahead (0:59). Multiple 1960s automobiles, delivery trucks speed along highway (1:12). Close-up officer turns on the Vascar while driving police car (1:47). Driver’s scarf waves in wind, view of police cruiser with flashing light in wing mirror (1:49). Indiana State Police officer approaches vehicle, framed in wing mirror (2:13). Indiana State Police officer sits in sitting room holding 1966 Vascar model, speaks to camera about benefits of device (2:24). Camera zooms out to reveal guest sitting across from officer, inventor Arthur M. Marshall describes how device works (3:07). Close-up of Vascar device with description of how different components work: two switches, calibrated dial (3:48). Illustrated diagram of how Vascar device records speed of moving vehicle (4:03). Location points used for tracking speed: Camera perched near flyover/ overhead bridge, trucks and automobile pass underneath (4:55). Close-up as car speeds over crack in pavement of service road (5:06). Montage scenes of cars driving and visible car shadow (5:13). 1966 Ford Mustang on highway, cottage cuts to trooper turning on Vascar device (5:48). Officer clocks speeding car approaching from rear, officer looks through rear view mirror (7:04). Officer tracks speed of perhaps 1966 Pontiac GTO ahead of it on highway, cars pass through rural landscape, family homes (7:54). Trooper’s patrol car passes under bridge underpass and parks along highway, target car approaches (9:36). Indian State Trooper patrol car parked along intersection, perhaps 1966 Chevy Impala zooms by, trooper begins pursuit of vehicle (10:39). Blurry headlights of semi-truck slowly come into focus while driving towards camera on highway at night (11:06). Perhaps “Crackerbox” 1959-68 GMC Aluminum Cabover Truck illuminated by headlights at night (11:19). Perhaps view while driving along Kennedy Memorial Bridge connecting Indiana and Kentucky at dusk (13:00). Closing credits (13:22).
