Silent reel (soundtrack added) of 400 feet of footage from the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911- however I’m unsure of when exactly the film was compiled to 16mm. This video doesn’t contain any “unseen” footage; I believe another copy of this film was the basis for the Smithsonian’s colorized footage, and there’s another transfer online.
Film shows the beginning of the race and includes history of what preceded it, before moving onto a variety of footage from the race including some crashes. Completes with showing the waving of the checkered flag and victor Ray Harroun in the “Marmon Wasp”.
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Made a small editing error on the song transition around 7:23, originally had a timing adjustment and crossfade but must’ve gotten lost in an undo or something.
Edited the film scene-by-scene independently correcting framing, contrast/exposure, light uniformity, and stabilization (print had very poor registration) to try and improve the film as much as possible. Hopefully the highest quality version of this footage available.
Played back at 16 frames per second to best approximate what the true-to-life speed was.
Soundtrack added, composed of period 1911 songs sourced from Library of Congress:
King Radium March
Two-Step Medley No. 9
Surprise Medley Overture
Way Down Indiana Two-Step
Introduction, History – 0:00
Morning of the Race – 1:02
Bob Burman Crowned – 2:00
Parade of Cars – 2:47
Carl Fisher in Pacemaker – 4:53
Race Begins – 5:56
Crowd Rushes Accident – 7:24
Sand Blowing Across Track – 8:44
Pit Stop Tire Change – 10:04
Tire Flies Off – 11:02
Mechanic Falls, 4 Car Crash – 12:04
Waving the Checkered Flag – 14:56
#Indy500 #VintageRacing #AutoHistory #SilentFilm #ClassicCars #IndyCar #HistoricRacing #FilmScan
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I don’t know how fast they were driving but no seat belts or helmets, no power hydraulic brakes or steering. These guys had huge balls. My question is where did they put them, in a car built for just two people?
how many bricks were used to pave the track
Think it would be cool to live then. It’s so casual. It’s a race but no one is in a hurry 😂
Those skinny tires may have worked for top speed event but not for Indy races! So that smoke was caused by using caster oil?
Excellent display of speed and deadly carbon emissions.
Go get em daddy O.