1955 INDIANAPOLIS 500 "THE UNFORGETTABLE 500" INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA 76084

[@stilldajoker]

Indy native here --- crazy how skinny those tires were --- always saw plenty of people changing tires on the side of the road on the way to Grandma's house --- same bias-ply tech --- bravery and desire back then --- thank Jackie Stewart for taking the lead on some safety.

[@JJ-bv2gp]

What year was that

[@JerseyDevilBM]

​@@JJ-bv2gp Scotland's Jackie Stewart drove in the 1966 Belgian Grand Prix on the 8.76-mile Spa-Francorchamps circuit which since 1925 had already claimed the lives of 21 car and motorcycle racers (and would experience another 27 deaths through last year). It was a wet day (Formula One cars race in the rain, unlike Indy cars on ovals); the rain had stopped when the race began, but began pouring away from the starting grid. Four cars spun out of the race at Turn Six (of 14 turns), and four more (one restarted) at the next "curve", the Masta Kink, with Stewart's BRM hitting a telegraph pole, landing upside down leaving him with a broken shoulder, cracked ribs and trapped inside the damaged car with fuel pouring out on him (in those days, fire was the race drivers worst fear). Two other drivers, Englishman Graham Hill and American Bob Bondurant, left their cars to scrounge tools from a spectator and free Stewart - after half an hour! - and carry him to the bed of a pickup truck to wait for the ambulance. When it finally arrived, it took him to the track's first aid center where he lay on the stretcher on the floor with cigarette butts and other trash until another ambulance came to take him to the hospital - only to get lost on the way. Of the fifteen cars that started the race, only seven came back around on that first lap... That debacle inspired Stewart to become an untiring advocate for safety improvements in the sport, which made him very unpopular to some drivers who loved the image of themselves as gladiators and to track owners who were upset by the added expenses of such proposed measures (legit medical facilities, more track workers around the circuits, proper firefighting equipment, guardrails around tracks - there's a famous photo of one of the cars caught out by the rain that day half-hanging over a wall with a ten-foot drop below it - portable medical teams to go to the sites of accidents, winches and cranes to lift cars off the track, etc. He may be the most unloved three-time World Driving Champion ever because of his campaign, but with credentials like that behind him, change slowly but eventually happened so deaths are far fewer than they ever were.

[@billythekid3234]

@@JerseyDevilBM So true, thanks for you're post!

[@mikeowen657]

I was a 9yr old Vuky fan listening to this race on the radio. I vividly recall the excitement of the lead changes, and the sudden shock of my hero's death. Racing then was so much more exciting than what happens now. These were brave brave men.

[@whalesong999]

I was 14 when this took place. Listening to the "500" on the radio was an exciting tradition since I was about 6 or so. I notice now how the men somehow looked older and more mature for their ages in that time. Racing was hard on them in many ways - the attraction carried me into motorcycle racing in the '60s. Seemed like being a hero was all that mattered when I was young but the charm wore off as practicality edged in.

[@tomsmith5216]

I was 10. I started listening to the race when I was 7 or 8. Listened to or watched every race ,including the year I was in Vietnam, until Tony George created the split. Haven't watched or listened since.

[@buckzx12r]

Probably the best rendition of the 55 race ive seen! great job!

[@jdsguam]

Year I was born in Indianapolis - Guaranteed my Dad was there - he watched every year he could.

[@harrellkerkhoff8054]

It should be noted that 17 of the 33 drivers who started the 1955 Indy 500 would die in racing accidents. It was all about speed back then. A different era.

[@hcrun]

It's all about speed now. That's racing, in case you haven't heard.

[@Grunchy005]

Sweikert died only a few weeks after coming in 6th at the 1956 Indy 500 (June 17, racing Sprints at Salem).

[@iViking90]

And it was all about Perfect Circle. The best piston rings in the world.

[@thevmanvj]

These cars were true widowmakers… Over a five-year driving career, the life expectancy of these drivers was 1 in 3. In Champ Car and Formula 1 Racing of that era, it wasn’t always a question of talent a driver survived… It was pure luck.

[@BSNFabricating]

That's why what drivers like A.J. Foyt did was so remarkable. Not only did A.J. win a lot of races and championships, four Indy 500s, as well as qualifying for 35 500s in a row, and set numerous records, but the fact that he survived about the deadliest era of racing and was racing into the '90s is an accomplishment in itself. Oh, and I have to mention that his car, driven by Tony Kanaan, finished in the top ten at Indy on Sunday.

[@muffs55mercury61]

The driver's head was at least 9 inches above the cockpit and didn't have much of a prayer in the event of a rollover.

[@paulsontag9233]

There were a lot of fatalities but it’s actually astonishing there weren’t many more.

[@Fastbikkel]

Image quality good, framerate good, it's all good. Thanks for sharing.

[@donogoobo9992]

I remember the old drivers: Jimmy Bryan, Bobby Ball, Art Bish, Roger Ward, Bill Cheesberg, Bill Vukovich, Jack Mc Grath and A.J.Watson (A legend himself). All some tough (then young) old bastards. I lived near 16th St and Bethany, in Phoenix, behind Clint Brawner. He invited me over one time and I spent as much time there as I could after that. It was there I learned to love all things Offenhauser. Good times.

[@muffs55mercury61]

I'm from Phoenix and lived at 7th Street north of Bethany. I hear Jimmy Bryan and his family lived in the 7th St & Northern Av area.

[@mgrayfox59]

Did you kniw my Dad? Bob DeBisschop, he was AJ Watson's right hand...the tall one with the pit board in this video. Dad went on to develope the Turbo Charged Offenhauser that took Bobby Unser to victory at Kndy in 1968. We moved to Phoenix in 1968 and I remember going to Clints's garage as well. I was 9 and still remember. I lost my Dad last year, so these are cherished memories 💔

[@brandond5209]

So crazy to see these guys driving around Indy at 150mph wearing T-shirts and a bike helmet! Real men driving cool cars!

[@soylentteal]

Eerie to watch Vukovich in the 2nd row and know he's marked for death. He had already dominated the race for 3 years running and, IMO, would still be the greatest Indy driver ever, had he lived.

[@billythekid3234]

Seventh mist I feel he was the best indy driver of all time,,,,,,,, He was just so tough and hard driver!

[@richardmourdock2719]

Amazing that anyone survived the wrecks with the old roadsters.

[@altfactor]

The 1955 Indianapolis m"500" was unforgettable due to Bill Vukovich Sr.'s death. If only it had been unforgettable because Vukovich had been able to win it three straight years.

[@RandysRacingPlace633]

It was also unforgettable because the multitude of fatal accidents that year in all series (and, yes, I am counting the Le Mans disaster), almost killed auto racing in the United States, and, really, worldwide...

[@maxmulsanne7054]

​@@RandysRacingPlace633 Not to mention the losses of Ferrari driver (& 2x WDC) Alberto Ascari and car enthusiast James Dean. 1955 was a strange/tragic year.

[@Demetris.Yiokkas]

1:39 Jimmy Bryan priceless interview RIP LEGEND

[@muffs55mercury61]

More tragic than unforgettable. The picture of the '55 Chevy in front of the pack before it starts is one of the saddest pictures ever. Bill Vukovich was in the 2nd row and would be dead in less than two hours. Eight other drivers in this race would be dead by 1963. Jimmy Bryan lived in my native Phoenix during the off season and raced locally for a long time. It was great to see the footage and with him talking. He took the checkered flag in 1958 and died in 1960. The cars in those days were definitely widow makers as the driver's head is at least 9 inches above the cockpit. In most cases they didn't have a prayer in the event of a rollover. Jerry Hoyt died just six weeks later. Jack McGrath died six months later in an accident in my home town of Phoenix during a race.

[@mgrayfox59]

Bob Sweikert in 1956

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@mgrayfox59 Yes.

[@darrylruiz2573]

It took real courage to drive those old roadster's no one had more courage than Vukie

[@williamjordan5554]

Vukovich's grandson suffered a fatal crash too.

[@BillHFA]

I watched an interview with Bill Vukovich II, a former driver who raced the Indy 500 12 times, including a second place finish in the also tragic 1973 running. He shares his thoughts on losing his childhood idol - his father - and his beloved son to racing. I can't remember where it aired, but it's truly touching.

[@a2z60s]

Well preserved piece of film. At 25'02" spot the guy holding the microphones, burning his hand (and cables) on the hot exhaust.. ;-)

[@fintanoclery2698]

25:02

[@Cyclops4415]

My dad was at this race somewhere in the stands.

[@artisticgizmo8654]

Bob Sweikart's 1st F1 win and 3rd AAA Chanp Car win

[@michaelbragg6903]

Fantastic picture quality!

[@Trucker1957]

These guys were brave souls, driving these cars without seat belts, and just the helmet for protection.

[@sebastienbechard798]

I think they had a waist seat belt. 9:00 You can see the driver reaching for it's side before he gets out of the car. 19:10 that guy would have been ejected for the car with no seat belt, you can see clearly that he is strapped in there and they are struggling to get him out... but still 1 dead, multiple injuries.. this race was just brutal!

[@antonioinaciocosta7094]

This was the deadly Indy 500 race for the great B. Vukovich...

[@nergispaul9022]

Striking how bad the track surface looks. Especially the exit of turn 4.

[@MrBobbyd45]

It' interesting how safety equipment and procedures have progressed since these early days of racing.

[@whalesong999]

I came on with every season, too much danger and needless injuries in some cases. Notice how much of the grandstand straightaway was brick then.... .

[@williamjordan5554]

When your roll bar is your helmet.

[@kmac3215]

Perfect Circle ⭕️🏎😝

[@tsf5-productions]

I like these old "Periscope Film Specials". I want to make a strong suggestion: In the description of this show, there is a misspelled word: "presenst" should be "PRESENTS". I like the "drama commercial" with 500 winner Sweikart and his race team. These men back then had "balls" as the saying goes. The tragic loss of Vukovich was a loss in motor racing history. He probably would have made three in a row...then retire(?)

[@ooammo632]

wow that spelling correction was perfect!!! fully eqiupped w all caps... might be the best ive ever seen... i myself wish there was someone correcting every misspelled word throughout the WHOLE INTERNET. that would be swell i mean spell or swell

[@jamesgentry13]

1955 the deadliest year in racing and when racing was almost banned globally

[@pabloescobar1106]

Don't think they ever considered that.. The show always goes on

[@JeromeG1956]

1955 Le Mans nearly did get auto racing banned in Europe for sure.

[@JerseyDevilBM]

Numerous major races all over the world were canceled as a result and several countries, including major players like France and Germany, banned racing at least for the rest of 1955, supposedly until steps were taken to improve safety at various tracks. Switzerland's ban has never been rescinded, at least until their 2015 OK of electric vehicle racing only. In the U.S., which had its share of high profile racing deaths the same year (including that of reigning two-time Indy 500 winner Bill Vukovich while on his way to a potential third straight triumph in the race), similar steps were taken and the American Automobile Association (yes, that AAA), which was the sanctioning body for racing in the U.S., including Indy cars, withdrew completely from the sport, leading to the formation of the United States Auto Club to fill the same role, including running Indy cars for the next twenty-four years.

[@williamjordan5554]

@@pabloescobar1106 Le Mans

[@geek49203]

@@JerseyDevilBM An AAA got out, hence USAC was formed.

[@mpmc76108]

We can't forget "Special Agent" Bardahl! The oil additive that prevents gummy piston rings!

[@rogergardiner2948]

I always loved all forms of motor racing... but I hated it when somebody was killed or seriously injured. This was a scarey era!

[@brianfriedman101]

Vuky 2 times winner died, and they all cheered at the end of the race like nothing happened

[@commentatron]

I believe the duration of the yellow flag is considered a suitable period of mourning. Anyway, people are dying everywhere, all the time. Should we spend our lives unhappy that we're mortal?

[@Kubickz]

@@commentatron Also there was different time. People came from ww2 only 10 years before that. People were tough as a diamond. Today we're not.

[@RezaMaulana98YT]

@@Kubickz "Today we're not." I'd say we still are. Look at Ryan Newman for example, his car got hit on the drivers side at 200 MPH and walked away from the hospital on his own less than 2 days later. Or Alex Zanardi, who became an inspiration to the people with his successful paralympic career and being able to race in various types of motorsport despite losing both of his legs. Or MotoGP's Valentino Rossi, who in his career returned to the race earlier than expected after being sidelined from a broken leg, twice. Every men and women who took upon a racing car/bike today are still very much tough persons, and we should thank the safety advancements and measurements in place that made motorsport much, much safer compared to the deathtrap eras. This is why deaths like Bianchi, Hubert, Simoncelli, and Wheldon are mourned so much today, it's not the norm anymore in motorsport that we see a competitor getting killed in action.

[@acgillespie]

*Yea back then the 500 was the 500 and the men were real men*

[@billythekid3234]

The racers of today are real men also, and the women also!

[@PsyceBorneo]

I Just Wonder If Any Film Lab Will Do A Full Restoration Like Celestial Picture Done With All Shaw Brothers Film Catalog.Really Love To See All This Old Film Back To Its Quality Back To Those Days.

[@prichar11]

I feel the need to go buy some Perfect Circle rings..... And how about the reporter walking up to the car in Victory Lane. Watch out, exhaust might be a little warm....

[@midnightmagician2]

I thought the same thing. Best damn rings made

[@naughtmoses]

McGrath didn't live to see Christmas, either.

[@daonap]

Brazilian flag at 10:48. Intriguing.

[@TonySparks35805]

At the time, the Indianapolis 500 was part of the Formula One World Championship, so I imagine the race had more of an international following..

[@joeturnip4216]

I feel sad after watching this video. A guy is dead and everyone's happy.

[@erwinderdoofe]

They knew that racing is dangerous, but they chose to race anyway. stirling moss even says he is glad to have raced back when fatalities were more common. he said the approach to the whole thing was different. with a different mentality

[@billmarvel5350]

Joe : Not everyone was happy and I am confident of that. They accepted the situations and knew of the chances they were taking and sure some were happy of their success' but grieved along with the Vukovich family . The Passion, that those of involved, is hard for some one to understand and unless you have the disease of Racing in your blood .

[@wkkaiser1]

I used to watch Billy Vukovich in Balboa stadium San Diego in the 1940`s in his little Red Drake number # 1 He was my idol I can still see him going around the turns with his left wheel off the track and on the infield , I had a Picture of him in his car in those days but Much to my regret I traded it away he started at Indy at Indy in 1952 was leading the race and lapped the field and a broken part took him out of the race with only 8 laps to go came back in 53 lapped the field again and won did the same in 1954 and again lapped the field 1955 he lapped all but 5 cars had a 17 second lead and was killed the only driver that should have had 3 straight wins but was killed with luck should have really been 4 straight . A statement taken out of his book by Aglaess Littleton Before there were TV racing idols like Foyt , Petty, Earnhardt and Mears , Andretti , there was an American racing genius, artist , wizard, god, named Vukovich . He Bill Vukovich Sr. is considered by many racing analysts to be the best Indianapolis 500 driver of all time. he inspired me to be the best because he was . and yes Joe I felt the same feeling very sad Bill K .

[@phibber]

no roll cage,only a lap belt,engine in front of driver...

[@Antondrag1966]

Красивый фильм! Спасибо. При общем призовом фонде 270 000$, чемпион получает 76 000$. при цене инди родстера 30 000$!!!

[@vladimirvukovich5966]

Жаль Вуковича, один из лучших гонщиков начала 50х, если бы его машину не вытолкнули он остался бы жив, я к тому, что авария была не по его вине...

[@gary24fan]

"I checked the rings and they were 'Perfect'." And I thought today's corporate self-promotion was corny. 🤣

[@Pannieforever]

Poor Bob Sweikert didn't get to savor his victory for long.Bill Vukovich would have certainly won going away as he was checking out at the time of his accident.A young Rodger Ward actually precipitated Vukovich's fatal wreck when his axle broke.Happily,Ward had MUCH better luck in the following years.

[@billmarvel5350]

Rodger went on to be a two time winner had a streak of 1st 2nd. 3rd and 1st. One of the best.

[@fastfoodreviewandelvistoo]

Absolutely zero safety. The flag man ON the track? That’s nuts 🥜’! The crowd inside has no barrier? 🤦‍♂️

[@ryan14r95]

Who was announcer

[@waltermyalls9394]

is that phil hill 19:44 in the black jacket?

[@hammered0184]

No.

[@tamtam21801]

They censored bill vukovichs fatal crash

[@joaom2057]

They were brave indeed but in those time racing drivers were more like aircraft war pilots. Not just bravery or skills. Being lucky was a important part of the game.

[@donaldfuller5041]

This advertising for Perfect Circle rings must have not been to effective. I never heard of them.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

According to the web -- MAHLE, manufacturer of Perfect Circle® piston rings, is the largest manufacturer of piston rings in the world, leads the way in ring technology and innovation. Perfect Circle rings are at the forefront of both light and heavy vehicle piston ring technology. Extensive OE connections mean that Perfect Circle rings have the technological edge. Things like the CP-20 oil ring, narrow compression rings, steel compression rings for gasoline engines, low tension oil rings and coated compression rings for diesels all came from the OE. Now, MAHLE’s rededication to the Perfect Circle performance line proves that Perfect Circle should be the ring choice under every hood - regardless of the application.

[@commentatron]

Saw my first race as a three year old at the Milwaukee Mile in 1962. My dad was a press photographer and left me hanging onto the infield fence while he went to the track guardrail to take pictures. Don't recall being too happy about that (mom was left at home). It grew on me though. In the years that followed I'd write automotive companies and request stickers like the ones I'd see on the cars of my heros. STP, Wynns, Perfect Circle, Mooney etc.

[@Don3PO]

Two Racers died that weekend. 5 words about one no words about the other. I guess "shit happens".

[@FrontRowFan34]

My Grampa went to that race

[@MateusHenrique-of4bc]

This Race Bill vulkovich is death yes

[@williamthieshen2840]

I was 11 years old I remember vukavichs' death.

[@jessiehenry5405]

18:42

[@b3j8]

Sounds like they use a vacuum cleaner to start the things!

[@hammered0184]

Some did!

[@luizeduardodeoliveriraoliv6643]

Porque no começo do vídeo tem uma bandeira do Brasil do lado da USA alguém pode me explicar obrigado

[@sampas99]

Nos anos 50 as 500 milhas faziam parte do Mundial de F1

[@jamesanderton344]

Meyer and Drake Offys were like jewelry....

[@WildwoodClaire1]

Good video, except that one must endure about 11 and a half minutes of mostly corny bullshit before actually getting to the race.

[@mgrayfox59]

My Dad was in the corny bs, he passed away last yr at 92 so I cherish this...and they won the race!!

[@gimmeabreak669]

Helmet and goggles. Thats it for safety gear.

[@AA-xk7gy]

Bob died in a crash after his Indy 500 win

[@davidstout8604]

A A No, he died June 17, 1956 at Salem

[@AA-xk7gy]

david stout He died in a crash I’d know he was my great grandfather

[@davidstout8604]

A A Yes, he died in a sprint car accident on June 17, 1956 at Salem, Indiana, race track. He was driving the DA Lubricant sprinter, yellowy-orange, black number 6. He had finished 6th in the Indy 500 18 days earlier. You can see the accident on KZbin if you want. Bob was a great driver. I still think he’d have won the ‘56 500 had his tire not blown, dropping him 1 lap behind. I believe he would have won Indy several times.

[@mgrayfox59]

The next year...very sad, my Dad was on his team.

[@mgrayfox59]

@@AA-xk7gy Bob Sweikert was your Great Grandfather? My Dad was on his pit crew. The tall on with the pit board and Binoculars, Bob DeBisschop. He passed away 93 last year. I now he and Dori kept in touch, is she still alive? Such a tragic loss, I'm so sorry you never knew him.

[@Kimble81]

Men driving office chairs at 130 miles per hour on a badly surfaced tarmac wearing t-shirts and a condom as a helmet. Crazy!

[@Dynaglide92rc]

When drivers were drivers, not these pissys today worring if their Coke bottle is turned the right way for the camra. enjoyed.

[@commentatron]

Once big money comes into the picture (for the driver's anyway), you can't afford to kill off your cash cows quite so readily.

[@jenbill]

You use Perfect Circle Rings should of said no to expensive we managed to find a better deal with these cheaper Brand X Rings Ahahahahahah!

[@butchs6099]

What was the signal to wave at your momma?

[@garyfernandez8513]

Was safety even in their vocabulary? Not even a roll bar. If they flipped there goes their head.

[@thomasdipper9681]

All for the Milk :-)