Short Film: Sound of Speed

Directed by Bruce Kessler, a racer who ran at Le Mans, took a class win in the 12 Hours of Sebring and entered, but didn’t qualify for, the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix in a car owned by Bernie Ecclestone, Sound of Speed is a short film about Scarab Formula One.

Coming off great success in sports car racing, Lance Reventlow turned his attention to Formula One and building an all-American Formula One car that would debut in the 1960 Formula One season. The project showed great determination, heart and vision, but unfortunately produced a car that was quite conventional, even dated, by the time it rolled on to the track for its debut in Monaco. The front-engined racer would be up against cutting-edge mid-engined machines from the likes of Cooper and it just didn’t have the pace. Its best result came at the hands of Chuck Daigh in the United States Grand Prix – a 10th place in their backyard at Riverside and the best result for a front-engined car on the day

And Riverside is where this lovely short film takes place. It has no dialogue – but that doesn’t make its soundtrack, the Sound of Speed, any less glorious. Enjoy!

Image: TheCahierArchive©

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