... and yes, I realize that this video has been posted on the H.A.M.B. in the past: 1950's saftey Video SCTA (started by @Dragon Wagons on Jan 25, 2012 ... with 435 views & 1 reply) Old Road Runners Film (started by @J.Fishbeck on Sept 11, 2012 ... with 1,276 views & 13 replies) Traditional Hot Rod videos (started by @ChuckleHead_Al on Sept 20, 2013 ... with 986 views & 4 replies) ... but none of these threads were very active ... so rather than bumping them, I decided to just start a new thread.
The "Evans Speed Equipment" building that Melvin walked out of was on Union Pacific in Los Angeles where Earl ran the shop from 1949 to 1951:
Melvin's Deuce Hiboy in the "Airport Trial Runs" scene: "She cuts out when he gets up over 100 ... and he can't figure why"
The "ROAD RUNNERS PIT" scene was shot at the Ayala Brothers (Gil & Al) Custom shop: aka "GIL'S AUTO BODY WORKS"
The crash helmet Melvin used in the "Lake El Mirage" scene: ... was the same helmet worn by Bob Ward & George Bentley when they drove the "Evans Special" P-38 Belly Tank Lakester in 1950 & 1951.
The Eddie Miller B Class (248ci Pontiac 6 powered) Streamliner/Lakester in the "Lake El Mirage" scene:
Beautiful. Stubborn phony Mel transforms into a fine young man in front of our eyes, all thanks to hotrodding! The cheesy nature of the staged production does not diminish the extraordinary piece of history that this clip represents. Thanks for this and for the historical clarification.