These Men and Women Teams Drove A Flat Head Ford V8 33000 Miles in Just 33 Days Without a Glitch!

This original promotional film produced by the Ford Motor Company showcases Henry Ford and his new 1932 Ford Flathead V8. The Pennzoil team consisted of both women and men drivers. Ford wanted to prove to the world that his new V8 could pass the test of being an endurance yet affordable new automobile and powerplant.
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows:
“A photographic record of a unique automobile performance, officially observed by Los Angeles newspapers and timed by Western Union. June 6 - July 9, 1932.”
“1000 miles a day.”
Car traveling on road.
“33,000 miles in 33 days.”
“At Rosamond, California, in the heart of the scorching Mojave Desert, a certified stock Ford V-8 Victoria Sedan was driven a thousand miles a day for 33 days -- 33,301 miles in 33 days, four hours, 35 minutes. The purpose of the run was to prove that correct lubricants -- plus regular factory recommended service -- increase economy of operation, cut repair bills and prolong motor car life.”
Men standing around garage, car in foreground - view of thermometer reading 108°F - man wiping brow.
“‘Suffering rattlesnakes! This is some heat!’”
Man talking to other man.
“‘Yep, ’tis a purty day -- but it may warm up some this afternoon.’”
Men talking - driver getting into car.
“Eddie Pullen, famous racing driver, conducted the tests.”
Close-up of Pullen in car - car pulling out, men waving - car on desert roads.
“Now notice the kind of treatment shackles and chassis points receive. Watch rear spring action.”
Car crossing small bridge - car pulling up to garage - attendants servicing car.
“To combat the ever-present menace of oil failure this car was inspected and lubricated regularly every thousand miles, as prescribed by the factory.”
Car pulling into gas station.
“For instance in this typical Ford dealer’s lubrication department.”
Car driven onto grease rack - view of Ford V-8 lubrication chart - car on grease rack, attendant lubricating car.
“Nine specified types of lubricants are required for complete service.”
Attendants servicing car - lubrication chart - close-up of front end lubrication - lubrication chart - close-up of steering gear lubrication - close-up of transmission lubrication - close-up of rear end lubrication - attendant oiling motor parts - attendant changing oil.
“Only one and a half pints of oil per thousand miles.”
Oil change.
“Misfit motor oil causes 7 to 10% loss in gas mileage, lessened power and flexibility, needless wear, and costly oil failure.”
“The correct grade of oil was fitted to the car’s condition throughout the run.”
View of oil gauge.
“Greater piston drag in heaver grades increases gas consumption.”
View of oil gauge.
“Starting out with the new Ford, S.A.E. 20-light because of the close fitting motor -- was used the first 10,000 miles -- then S.A.E. 30, a medium grade.”
Attendant putting oil in car.
“Only after 25,000 miles was the grade changed from S.A.E. 30 to S.A.E. 40 -- a medium heavy.”
Car leaving gas station.
“155 different men and women drove the car.”
Car pulling up in front of hotel, changing drivers - car on road.
“1,000 miles a day meant many miles at 60 or better.”
Car on road, train in background.
“Thirty-three days under the blistering Mojave sun, a constant strain on car and men.”
Car on road.
“Thirty-three nights with a temperature drop of 40 degrees.”
Car on road at night.
“Every 5,000 miles -- the equivalent of six months average driving -- special lubrication in addition to the regular 1,000 mile service.”
Car pulling into gas station, attendants servicing car - lubrication chart.
“At the Finish the Ford V-8 had traveled --
12,181 miles of pavement,
8,910 miles of oiled macadam,
8,580 miles of oiled road,
3,630 miles of rough dirt road,
-- Total 33,301 miles.”
People lining street, police on motorcycles leading V-8 down street - woman dropping checkered flag, crowd cheering - driver Pullen getting out of car.
“And the results! --
41.8 miles per hour average speed,
19.64 miles per gallon of gas,
1½ pints of motor oil per 1000 miles.”
Men checking car.
“The speedometer sealed.”
Hand holding speedometer.
“Wear on moving parts was little more than polishing -- less than one half the thickness of a human hair.”
Man gauging piston head.
“Faulty lubrication causes 60% of all repair bills.”
“Many cars are headed for the bone yard at the end of three years driving.”
Panorama of car scrap heap.
“And yet this Ford V-8, after three years’ driving in one month, is still capable of maximum performance.”
Car traveling on desert.
“Stamina proven -- still doing better than 75.”
Car on desert road.
“-- proof that proper lubricants, plus regular factory recommended service, increase economy of operation, cut repair bills and prolong motor car life.”
Sign on rear tire cover of car, ‘Avoid Oil Failure, Pennzoil Lasts Longer, Lubricated Better, Costs Less Per Mile.’ [1932]