British Grand Prix 1958 | Shell Historical Film Archive

On July 19, 1958, thousands of spectators gather at the Silverstone race track to watch the British Grand Prix. This documentary follows the race as the major names of motor racing compete over the 225 mile (360 kilometre) circuit.
As the winners of the 1957 British Grand Prix, Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins, representing Ferrari, are the top contenders. However, the BRM drivers could spring a surprise victory.
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Shell’s surprising and captivating Historic Film Archive dates from 1934 and covers a rich mix of topics from technology, science and engineering to craftsmanship, motorsport and travelogue.
The Shell Film Unit, responsible for the content, was a highly celebrated part of Britain’s Documentary Movement. Key figures from that movement were involved, including: Jack Beddington, Edgar Anstey, Arthur Elton, John Grierson, Kay Mander, Stuart Legg and Douglas Gordon.
Its films were wide reaching, often screened in cinemas and through the non-theatric film distribution circuit, which brought film to educational establishments and organisations across the UK. While many films covered technological themes related to Shell’s activities, others were entirely unrelated and served purely to educate the general public.
As Shell innovated in technologies that would provide oil and gas products for the world, the Shell Film Unit also innovated in the technological advancement of film, incorporating graphics and different forms of animation as early as the 1930s.
During WW2 the Shell Film Unit was co-opted into war effort, making films for the Ministry of Information’s film division. Its prowess in technological documentary suited the MoI’s need for technical training films.
While the name and the medium has changed many times over the years, the documentary tradition lives on at Shell. Its contemporary film team is part of Shell’s multi-disciplinary in-house agency, Creative Solutions. It continues making award-winning factual content that informs and educates the public, now usually released on social media platforms.
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For more information about Shell’s Historic Film Archive please contact: [e-mail]
#Shell #ShellFilmUnit #HistoricFilmArchive #Documentary #History #GrandPrix #Motorsport #F1 #BritishGrandPrix #Silverstone #Ferrari #BRM #Formula1

[@shell]

If you enjoyed this video, please check out the full 'Shell Film Unit - Historic Archive' playlist, where you'll find lots more gems! kzbin.info/aero/PLEPIVJVCFQH2hoYONdHiQlVrvYQ-k4Xay

[@paulschipper9428]

These legendary dudes... no seatbelts, helmets with no face protection, skinny tyres, drum brakes, incredible speeds down the straights, sliding the car even in the fast corners, all whilst sitting just millimetres in front of a huge petrol tank. Truly enjoyed watching them come out of Copse and setting up for Maggots, great shots and great commentary too.

[@richardmichael1124]

Sadly Peter Collins was to lose his life in the next GP at the Nurburgring - a real lost talent and undoubtedly would have been World Champion had he lived. Memorial to him being unveiled at Shelsley Walsh on May 1st 2024 and his grave at Stone Church, Kidderminster has been refurbished.

[@moreheff]

That is nice to hear. He was a gentleman of a bygone era. If I remember correctly he gave up his car to Fangio in a previous season so Fangio could win the World title, scuppering his own chance of winning it at the same time. Could you imagine Verstappen doing something like that now? He wold rather run you off the road first! Also proof that team orders have always been a thing in F1.

[@richardmichael1124]

@@moreheff He did indeed hand over his car to Fangio at the 1956 Italian GP at Monza thus ensuring Fangio’s 4th World Championship which Collins would possibly have won if he hadn’t - a true sporting gesture that left Fangio in tears at the sacrifice he made. He was a favourite of Enzo Ferrari who treated him like a son especially after the death of his son Dino. His great friend Mike Hawthorn ( mon ami mate) was distraught at Peter’s death at the Nurburgring ( in fact he was following Collins when the accident happened) and retired immediately after winning the Championship that year only to die himself three months later in a road accident on the A3 Guildford bypass.

[@moreheff]

@@richardmichael1124 Yes. I have read about that race and also know of what happened after Hawthorn's Championship win. Sadness and tragedy all round. So many talented men taken so young. Hawthorn not even on a track 😒

[@peterrobinson8588]

Lewis-Evans died too, of burns at Casablanca.

[@sergioleone3583]

@@moreheff It wasn't team orders when Collins did it though, it was just pure class. I think there is a quote from him something about it wasn't his time, but that it was Fangio's, but I can't find it verbatim offhand. Everyone had such respect for The Old Man back then.

[@rondog540]

What an absolute gem this piece of film is 💎💎

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

The tree at 1:04 is still there, I can well remember hiding under it during rain storms many times, especially back in the 80s. My last and probably 60th visit was The British Grand Prix in 2011, Silverstone to me now is an unrecognisble concrete souless mess! But this film from 58 is beautiful!

[@anthonyxuereb792]

Happy for you that it's still there.

[@itsnome7750]

Might be concrete but at least people dont die so often

[@Jeffgordonfan24hesthegoat]

@@itsnome7750still no soul!!

[@maxmulsanne7054]

​@@itsnome7750 Show me a case of Silverstone fatalities since the 1960s and I'll show you the Indianapolis 500. Only ONE spectator died since then. Now cry me a river about motorsports deaths.

[@itsnome7750]

@@Jeffgordonfan24hesthegoat tbf the first races (footage is on yt somewhere) where they are racing round bales of hay on the big concrete runways are pretty naff, more concrete than today!

[@buckfaststradler4629]

I remember the Britain in this film - it's all changed now but not all for the better.

[@aranuicdb2]

These films are part of our heritage and it's awesome to see them saved

[@MGB1977Red]

Great to see this in color and synch sound. Film production back then was a tremendous amount of work. Matching up all the numerous reels of film and dozens of 1/4" tape audio reels was a big challenge, not to mention organizing all the camera angles into sequence. Then a lot of mixing and printing to get a final release film. Today you can do it all on your phone. I'm glad to see that somebody had to foresight to preserve some of the original material.

[@richardamos3173]

Fabulous! The contrasts between then and now: the drivers in 1958 all mature grown men, articulate and charming, knowing their chances of death are very high. The youths of today are like kids in comparison, fresh-faced & driving their computers with minute instructions from their team, dropping the f-bomb in every sentence.

[@GloomGaiGar]

You may be forgetting that these "mature grown men" were still pretty young. They just looked older back then. Stirling Moss was 30, Jack Brabham was 32, Graham hill was 32 and Caroll Shelby was 35. Hardly retirement age even for F1.

[@richardamos3173]

@@GloomGaiGar that’s precisely my point. At 30 they were grown men, just listen to them compared to those of the same age today. No comparison.

[@marco-58]

Splendid film which i will watch again. I was 3 months old at the time, and living just a few miles away from Silverstone. My Father was a member of the Premier Racing Club and often took me to the races when i was old enough.

[@davidfoster3814]

I was there ! Albeit 5 years old . The old man knew the farmer at Silverstone circuit so we were inside the circuit rather than outside. Can’t remember the day to be honest so this film is terrific to see.

[@carlwheezerofsouls3273]

using slang like “the old man knew the farmer” i well believe you’re old enough to have been there lol

[@derekantill3721]

I was there to see this race. The drivers and race officials with a style totally different from those of today, and a length of rope for spectator protection.

[@raymad8106]

Fantastic Footage. Peter Collins was an incredible driver, but seems to have been forgotten about over the years. Its a shame as he would have been the first British F1 champion, if it wasn't for an incredible selfless act of giving up his car to Fangio. Glad to see he has a memorial just recently unveiled and his grave has been looked after. Hope to visit it one day.

[@damtan6286]

13:11-13:16 i guess cameramen never changes 😂

[@Daracdor]

yep ..this was filmed 3 years before I was born and even back then the camera locked on to girlie Butt ! Those butts are 80 year old now .... amazing .

[@dennisleslie8962]

"cameramen never changes.. " 😮 ..Green verb....😢

[@rickden8362]

Strange no one has mentioned the gorilla in the room...the rear engined coopers: resurrecting the spirit of the '30s Auto Unions, these cars in 1959 began a totally new era in motorsports.

[@user-mo1us8bl4i]

Fantastic film which I enjoyed very much. I was born on that day, saturday, July 19, 1958, just minutes before the start...

[@timgosling6189]

Very sad for Collins, just 2 weeks to live before his crash at the Nürburgring.

[@VictorGate]

Sad indeed, also that so many of those drivers present lost their lives in the next years.

[@taxpayer1040]

A brilliant record and absolute class by real sportsmen - thank you so much.

[@AutoMinima]

What a gem from Shell series..

[@rondog540]

06:01 That start from Hawthorne looks like me taking off from the lights on the school run, trying and failing to get in front of a bus before the lane ends 😂

[@NathanFilms22]

This is beautiful. Thank you for continuing to share these archive films.

[@cripesclassworks5654]

Fantastic film that served to bring back memories of marshalling at Silverstone over so many meetings

[@Ahito1984]

Graham Hill first ever UK GP, only in 94 would his son achieve to win it.

[@ab5w]

What an incredible documentary!

[@Ladycha1689]

Incredible! ❤ as a history buff in all things and an F1 fan. This is awesome and appreciated. Thank you

[@paolo8529]

Nice to see a 1-2 Ferrari the same day of a 1-2 Ferrari

[@tchoaful]

Great. As beautifull as a Michael Turner painting

[@jamesanthony4034]

Those Ferraris. Beautiful.

[@turboslag]

Absolutely bloody brilliant!!! The quality was superb! Oil consumption was evidently horrendous on some cars!

[@Derek_S]

My favourite Dinky toy when I was a kid was a Vanwall in British Motor Racing Green.

[@zzp1]

No kirbstones, no electronics, no limits on tires. Golden Age of racing!

[@fredygump5578]

The 4 wheel drifts on those skinny tires are epic!

[@atsushi2572]

ピーター・コリンズが偲ばれるレース。「Mon Ami Mate」のお二人や、伝説のレーサーの雄姿とそのマシンを鮮明な映像で拝見させて頂き、感謝申し上げます。

[@TheAdvancedMusic]

Stunning footage, Shell. Imagine it after a full frame by frame restoration. Eyes would weep.

[@draginfly3000]

Thank you for uploading this film. Great quality.

[@vincentlussier8264]

The glory days! And listen to the roar of those engines!

[@markwiliams6132]

Fantastic video. Love watching these classic old racing cars. This was proper racing. Amazes me the cars from this era aerodynamically hadn't changed much since the 1930s period.

[@timonsolus]

There was no progress in European racing car technology between 1939 and 1948.

[@iainmccoll390]

Wow !! great Film, i had not seen this before !! So many legendary drivers and cars all in one race !! My father saw Mike Hawthorn, Pete Collins and Stirling Moss racing in period at this time, and i didn't come along until 64 but was lucky enough to see all the greats of the 60's and 70,s as my Dad, Angus also Marshalled for the BRSCC in 60,s and early 70,s so I was shall we say bitten by racing bug when i was a young boy etc. I was lucky enough to see Stirling Moss racing in Historic racing, and also Sports and Saloon cars and he was also really great even then, even after the crash that ultimately ended his carer in 62 at Goodwood. Also saw Fangio racing at a tribute to Stirling in the 80,s at Brands, then I was Marshalling myself for BRSCC thanks for this great bit of racing history !!

[@drjohnwade]

Superbe ! Collins était en état de grâce ce jour là, comme Hawthorn à Reims... Hélas, ensuite, il y a le Nurburgring....

[@_Adventure_]

Eu assistindo essas imagens de 1958 em 06/03/2024 A tecnologia eterniza o tempo e as pessoas numa tela de reprodução dentre imagens e filmes pra sempre!

[@bagassatrio2144]

the 1950s silverstone was my favourite track, i had played once in Assetto Corsa from track mods.

[@josephfreda6316]

One of my favorite years of grand prix cars, cant wait to watch this

[@CSX2601]

Amazing film. Thank you Shell for this wonderful gift! With his F1 Championship on the line, does anyone have any insight on why Moss wasn't swapped into another Vanwall?

[@baldygrandad9323]

Thanks for sharing. All those drivers were my childhood heroes. What would they think of it today. Driving a 50 gallon petrol tank around at 140mph no fire suits No Halos, smoking in public, no sun hats. Still I suppose that 13 years before most of the drivers were being shot at or bombed. It must have been literally a a Sunday afternoon drive in the country for them. And don't get me started on the girls rears'.

[@craigmacmillan2528]

This was the year and the race that fired my continuing enthusiasm for motor racing - at school at Stowe you could sneak in the back entrance

[@Bonypart]

I was there that day too. All we had to do was show them our school tie and we were allowed entry. I always chose Copse to watch from but, at the time we didn't realise how dangerous it was for spectators with just a flimsy straw bale between us and an errant car. Brilliant video thank you.

[@jackphillips3962]

This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing it!

[@Sinna94]

Absolutely marvelous!

[@annehanna6101]

I was still 17 but I do remember this race

[@roxyroxburgh9566]

Priceless footage. Thank you.

[@rayisland23]

Wonderful footage of the event, Thank You

[@michaelholden1014]

Fantastic video, thanks for sharing! Will be passing this to all my motorsport colleagues 😃

[@dominiquedradin340]

Super grand merci pour cette page d'histoire

[@1977ajax]

Wonderful footage. Thanks.

[@daren42]

Utterly wonderful

[@Bhargav.Changela88]

Great video ❤❤

[@danielmalpass2469]

This is great footage!

[@LWilloxMusic]

Oh my god!! Absolutely incredible, incendiary, beautiful footage. With a stupid GO this weekend (Saudi!) this is already several planets away from what that can offer.

[@peterabild1123]

I love it

[@timking2822]

Great quality.

[@SteigerSteigerfoto]

These drivers required nerves and balls of steel

[@ror312gallery19]

Thank you for sharing these historical highlights, they are truly appreciated to this race fan/artist, who no longer can watch any modern sports. A fine art print of my original painting of Collins in his Ferrari, hangs in The National Motor Museum, North Hamptonshire, in honor and memory of the great Peter Collins, cheers to all historic race fans. i no longer follow any sports. I only follow vintage, historics, my friend, Brian Redman is holding many great events in the USA, and Goodwood is in the UK. Also here on utube is great historic Drag racing from way down in New Zealand, cheers to all, Robert in , nw Italy.

[@caspardejonge5902]

Wonderful

[@jobenbarrientos4560]

Yes I love 💗 legendary racing 🏎️

[@Bobbys3]

yessss...great. more old races pls !

[@gumpy4960]

Those cars sound amazing.

[@user-po6tb1rg6d]

The F1 roaring 1950-th: beer and everything. Though it's fast enough

[@foreverpinkf.7603]

Ah, those were the days. True competition between constructors and drivers.

[@trivit472]

Historic racing is amazing

[@simonprodhan5050]

brilliant film!

[@rynosraceroom66]

Cld u plz show more of these ? This is wonderful !

[@helmutbargeld728]

My God! - I say quite deliberately because many of these people are like Gods to people like me... what an absolutely amazing film! Apart from anything else, being able to see Stirling fanging the legendary Vanwall around in anger is nothing short of a life affirming experience. And Alf Francis on film!! @shell What else have you got hidden away in your archives??

[@jims6323]

"The art of motor racing", when the only electronics were used to spark the plugs, and traction control was the driver's right foot!

[@alexcheetah79]

F1 still does not have traction control.

[@halloweenjean]

what electronics do they have now? 😭 surely you can't be complaining about the non driving assist ones ? just to clarify they don't have driving assists in modern F1, pretty sure the 'electronic peak' in those terms was the early 90s

[@Lockwoodbeck61]

It might not be called traction control but engine drivability maps were certainly not available in the analog (best) age. ​@@alexcheetah79

[@rondog540]

The world moves on. There are still cutting edges and an envelope to be pushed, just in different areas that are arguably more or less exciting depending on your viewpoint. And when the current iteration of GP racing dies, there will be something in the wings to replace it.

[@neiljopson8138]

Those were the days before Ecclestone monetised and plasticised what is still euphemistically called a sport.

[@hwd7]

If you finished a race alive in these days you won.

[@sunnymannava]

@15:29 Ferrari has got a golf player as their drive! 😂 That driver... Savage😈 And no champagne at the end! Different times!

[@moreheff]

@@norrishorris In the opening interview Mike Hawthorn is asked about the champers and he said he had not received it yet!!

[@gemellimusic931]

@@norrishorris and only after his Le Mans victory.

[@twillis449]

Peter Collins - is sadly underappreciated by modern racing fans. He could have been world champion in 1956 if, not in a true gesture of sportsmanship, he handed his car over to Fangio so that Fangio won the championship as Fangio's car was starting to give problems. Also, look at the total lack of safety provisions especially for fans sitting behind just behind a rope. Kind of a harbinger of what eventually happened at Monza in 1961.

[@andyrbush]

So different to today. I was 7 years old back thenn.

[@fabrizioviscardi40]

Great historic movie! I sub to your channel, cheers, Fabrizio - like 2400

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

That interviewer guy was abysmal: Didn't seem to have any clue what to ask...?

[@scopex2749]

These drivers had balls of steel driving these cars I dont believe they even had seat belts at this stage! They were so underpowered compared to the loony turbo cars of the 1980's! But it was an epic time for motor racing. Notice the drivers DRIFTING those cars around corners, no downforce in those days so light rear ends!

[@wordsisnukes]

ah, the days of racing an f1 car in short sleeves and sunglasses. quite something!

[@VictorGate]

I was present, eighteen and a Moss supporter, though we all followed Collins and Hawthorn. As can be seen for £1.00, a Paddock Pass gave far more access to the cars and drivers than £800.00 for the Paddock Club gets today. There was an almost universal sigh as Moss retired. A late concern that Brooks was slowing to impede Salvadori so that Stew Lewis-Evans could pass, outcome just visible at 17.50. Walking through the paddock after the race, behind the Vanwall transporter was a stand with a large wash tub in which Brooks and Lewis-Evans both stripped to the waist were washing off the days dust. Don't get that for £1.00at the BGP in 2024.

[@studebaker4217]

Anybody in the UK recall the small plastic replicas of these cars given away in a breakfast cereal in the 1950s? Sugar Puffs?

[@fabianrocha9924]

10:03 Oh my God! Alan Stacey!

[@mercyongaya8041]

I think this is the first time I have ever seen footage of him. Absolutely incredible.

[@Hoonkeen]

that lucozade drink looks tasty

[@asdf2593]

1:38 he's trolling right? A votre sante!

[@anthonyg638]

I bet they weren't taking that Brabham fellow too seriously in that funny mid engined car, I am sure they thought it was just a fad. Chapman's cars all broke down, what a surprise 🤭 🤭

[@sergioleone3583]

Some outstanding footage here. And I just happen to fill up with Shell regularly these days (my other main brand isn't as available where I live now) so, thanks Shell!

[@K1W1fly]

"and if all the bottles of beer consumed this weekend were laid end to end... I wouldn't be at all surprised"....

[@nicholasurfe9568]

would triple the length of Silverstone...

[@a-fl-man640]

this must have come from the before screaming announcers era. refreshing.

[@historicdriver]

Hello, like other oil brands, you are due to release a collection of vintage clothing and goodies.

[@JL-gf3yc]

Carroll Shelby was in this race!

[@fabianrocha9924]

4:14 Stuart Lewis-Evans!

[@KciMachado-hn2do]

Very romantic.

[@keithadams1538]

Lets bring back the laurel wreath

[@Karma-xr7lj]

10:47 Lucozade😋

[@paulboyle6857]

Love the complete lack of anything resembling safety measures,people smoking on the grid,straw bales,totally unprotected pit area which,as I recall, was like that well into the 60,s!

[@raychambers3646]

I suppose not long after the war when bombs were dropping on you , blaise comes to mind .

[@Kirkee7]

The days when car racing was a very dangerous occupation; without todays safety features for car and driver.

[@bigantplowright5711]

Listen to those engines........

[@paulwiegand4267]

Beautifull 4 wheel slides and fantastic sound. It looks that they would drive faster than the modern F1...😂 Yes, I know thats not true

[@jameskeene-brown9761]

I only came here for the music!