BIG RED

[Music] People everywhere enjoy more freedom of movement today than ever before. And they have more of the necessities and luxuries of life. The whole world is on the threshold of a golden age of transportation. [Music] A new national highway system, 41,000 m of interstate superighways serving every major area of the country, is under construction and scheduled for completion within the decade. Already this new highway system is having a dramatic effect on passenger car travel [Music] and the future rate are just as exciting. When this network of superighways is completed, true long range hauling at sustained speeds with all city traffic bypassed will become a practical idea for the first time. But tomorrow's rocking industry will need cargo carriers far superior to those we have today. They must have more cruising range, more speed and power, more payload capacity, and better crew accommodations, and they must move smoothly with the traffic flow. What will tomorrow's trucks be like? Well, meet Big Red. of Big Red is 13 ft high, level with and closely coupled to its trailer. The rear of the cab is concave to maintain clearance on curves. The overall length of the tractor and twin trailers is 96 ft. A small turbine engine was designed by Henry Ford and two associates in 1925. And since that time, Ford engineers have been interested in the potential of gas turbine power. Today, in this modern turbine laboratory, with the help of computers and the latest testing devices, the most advanced engines and components are evaluated as part of a gas turbine development program. This experimental 705 engine is the heart of Big Red. It was charged cycle contributes to the 705's high efficiency. There are two compression stages and exhaust gases are used to preheat using a ladder that lowers automatically. The seats are adjustable, leather covered, and equipped with safety belts and built-in headrests. A freestanding console contains the basic controls and power assists take much of the work out of driving. Turbine operating conditions are shown by instruments on the windshield header. At the rear of the cab is an express truck route map of the United States, [Music] a wash basin and concealed toilet. [Music] A small refrigerator, beverage dispensers, [Music] and a warming oven. The driver and co-driver of Big Red have a commanding view of the highway through a wide expanse of tinted windshield and side glass. And their cab is airond conditioned with separate heating and cooling systems. The co-driver's foldway table can be used either for writing or eating. And a personal television set is viewable only from his position. It cannot be seen by the driver. His seat tilts to a horizontal position for resting. Big Red is designed to move smoothly on the road without the usual buffeting turbulence associated with speed. Its aerodynamic efficiency is 37% better than trucks of traditional design for improved fuel economy. The cab has a separate suspension system. It actually floats free from the tractor chassis for a remarkably comfortable ride. Whatever the world of tomorrow may be like, and whatever kinds of vehicles and tools may be needed for the exciting decades ahead, you may be sure that the scientists, the engineers, and the stylists are planning and building for them today. Many new and exciting ideas are taking shape on the drawing boards. [Music] And someday when you are driving along the highway, you may be surprised to see one of those new ideas as big as life, as big as Big Red, already on its way to keep an appointment in that exciting world of tomorrow.