For more than a century, the GM Milford Proving Ground has played a vital role in General Motors’ efforts to design, test, and refine its vehicles. First opening in 1924, the Milford Proving Ground was the first dedicated automotive testing facility in the world, initially spanning 1,125 acres with just 5.5 miles of road. Since then, the facility has grown significantly, and today, it covers an expansive 4,000 acres and boasts nearly 150 miles of testing tracks. However, the earliest years of its operation remain fascinating, as shown in a recently resurfaced video from 1929 depicting various Chevy cars and trucks undergoing testing.
The black-and-white footage is roughly ten minutes long and provides a rare glimpse into the operations at Milford during its formative years. Per a directive issued by GM President Alfred P. Sloan, the facility was designed to evaluate vehicles under controlled conditions. The aim was to “sift the claims of car manufacturers and discover the exact scientific truth,” as the text accompanying the video explains.
The video showcases a variety of tests conducted on Chevy cars and trucks, as well as competitor models from Ford, Chrysler, and others. These tests measured things like speed, handling, fuel economy, braking, durability, and safety.
The video captures a simpler time in automotive engineering, but also illustrates the forward-thinking mindset of GM engineers and leadership. Cars can be seen navigating sharp turns, climbing steep inclines, and performing stops, with engineers meticulously observing the results. The footage is accompanied by detailed commentary that explains the purpose of each test and how the data collected could be used to improve vehicle design and safety.
Beyond showcasing GM’s vehicles, the Milford Proving Ground was also used to benchmark competitors, helping GM stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving automotive market. By providing a controlled environment for testing, the facility allowed engineers to identify weaknesses and implement improvements, setting a standard for the industry.
For Chevy enthusiasts and history buffs, the 1929 video offers a unique window into the early days of vehicle development.
Check it out for yourself right here:
Comments
What’s that lifter tick I heard in the video…
An early 2.7 about to destroy itself.
And everybody complains vehicles today all look the same…
What a cool video! Thanks for sharing!
BTW: What is that lift which puts only the front axle 6 ft in the air?
Back then 50 hp was all.you needed ! Now everything is 300 hp + !!
What I cannot believe concerning today’s EV horsepower (or ICE) vehicles is the insurance companies tolerance for these speed beasts. Do you really need your vehicle to go 0-60 in under 3 seconds? The same insurance companies that are currently insuring your over- horse powered vehicle are the same companies that are bailing on insuring homeowners flood insurance in Florida & other U.S. locations.
When I was 17 (‘68) I owned a used ‘63 Vette and my annual insurance was more than I originally paid for the car. Everyone that I knew that had performance cars in that era were being raked over the coals for high performance cars. After the insurance companies castrated the horse power from cars they started forcing the car companies into installing these hideous bumpers that prevented the cars from being damaged in 5 mph or less impact damage: – but that’s another story.
1 thing is for sure, none of those trucks or cars were pavement princess’s.
1) What’s the soundtrack? And is/was it the original?
2) Glad I wasn’t second or third driver on those dusty runs.