Rallies over 60 years ago (Video)
05/21/2025
Car rallies in the fifties were very different from what we know today. In fact, they are more reminiscent of today's classic car regularity events on public roads (without road closures), except that the specified average speeds were set so high that hardly anyone ever got to take a stroll.
A good example is the 1958 Alpine Rally ("Coupe des Alpes"), where the coveted "Alpine Cups" were up for grabs. Shell had an extensive film made at the time, which has now resurfaced on YouTube and is certainly worth 30 minutes of your time.
Not only does the film show how the participants were challenged back then, it also beautifully illustrates the demands on the technology.
And of course you can see many of today's classics battling for the top positions, be it an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Zagato Coupé, an Austin-Healey Sprite, a Ford Zephyr, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL or an AC Ace. Limousines, coupés and convertibles (e.g. Porsche 356), the breadth of the starting field was impressive.
Allow yourself the 30 minutes, if necessary there is always the option of fast-forwarding.
