Entries in Walter Cronkite (1)

Wednesday
Jul272011

Walter Cronkite extolls the virtues of Sports Cars and takes us to Lime Rock

This video is a gem.  First, we have Cronkite at the wheel of an Austin Healey, explaining the concept of a "Sports Car" the general American public in an era when chrome grill and bumper assemblies probably weighed more than an entire Lotus chassis.  Then he takes us to Lime Rock in the 1950s, complete with in-car camera-work behind the roll bar. Lotus 11's galore. And is that Walter himself at the wheel of the Healey at 1:56?? I see a moustahce in the tiny mirror!  The piece ends at the glamorous Monaco Grand Prix with Stirling Moss's victory in the Lotus 18.  Without ever mentioning the marque, this piece is almost an infomercial for Colin Chapman's fledgling brand, showing its stellar capabilities at both amateur and professional levels.

Also, isn't it just remarkable how little Lime Rock has changed in all these years??