Topic: WWW Puzzle #1973 - Nuclear Testing Cars / Las Vegas / March 1953

[Otto Puzzell]

Know the story? For 1 point, please respond below to identify where these cars are, why, and when.

Only complete answers will earn a point

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Thanks!

[Otto Puzzell]

Experts

[Aaron65]

Is this the 1946 Milton, VA stock car (pre-NASCAR) race won by Curtis Turner?

[Otto Puzzell]

No, I believe these cars were set up to go much faster.

[Aaron65]

Is it at a place like El Mirage?

[Otto Puzzell]

Not too incredibly far from there.

[Aaron65]

Is it one of the California dry lakes?

[streamliner]

Dozens of now-classic cars were used in the government’s "Operation Doorstep" project in the 1950's. As part of the program, houses and cars were set up near nuclear test sites in Nevada to study the bombs’ effects on people and property. What those tests showed (or at least what the public was told) is that not only could cars survive a nuclear blast surprisingly well, but they also made wonderful shelters for people.

[Otto Puzzell]

Not enough for point...

Locked for you

[streamliner]

March 17, 1953.  Cars getting readied for "Annie", at Yucca Flats nuclear test site (although other sources say photo was March 20, near Las Vegas - Probably in error, as these cars are also shown in a newsreel from the "Annie" blast three days earlier).  All part of "Operation Doorstep".

Here's car #13 after the blast.  

FOR SALE: 1946 Buick. No accidents but slightly dented on left side, beautiful radiant paint (on left). This car is HOT!  Make Offer.

[Otto Puzzell]

March 17, 1953.  Cars getting readied for "Annie", at Yucca Flats nuclear test site (although other sources say photo was March 20, near Las Vegas - Probably in error, as these cars are also shown in a newsreel from the "Annie" blast three days earlier).  All part of "Operation Doorstep".

I don't about the "other sources". On March 17, 1953, the 16-kiloton 'ANNIE' test was conducted, part of Operation Upshot-Knothole. Operation Doorstep was the Civil Defense department's name for the test. Appearing on the newsreel is the staging of the vehicles in Las Vegas (as shown in the puzzle photo), before being moved to various locations on the test range. While the film states cars that were not at ground zero could be driven away, I don't see the suggestion that they be used as a shelter. Maybe that was in another film?

The point is yours; here's the film  

http://youtu.be/G2-8f-V5sFY

[streamliner]

The other source is the press release that came with the photo:



As a result of the Annie test, the government pamphlet "Four Wheels to Survival" (part of "Operation Doorstep") was used to explain why your car makes an excellent place to go to in the event of a nuclear attack:





Also, the Civil Defense came out with a radio announcement where the pamphlet was put to music.  What better way to alleviate the public's fear over nuclear attack than a musical?

Take The Step (Four Wheels To Survival): Unknown Announcer and Cast [1953]

The kid from the 'Grandma's Pantry' PSA (see "Grandma's Pantry" entry) is back and this time he wants to place stickers on the radio dial of the family car to mark the CONELRAD frequencies. The announcer then breaks in and trumpets the family vehicle as the listener's "four wheels to survival." This track is instructive because it illustrates how confused civil defense policies were. In some public education efforts, such as this one, the government encouraged car use during an attack, but in other communications it discouraged using one's vehicle because of concerns over traffic.

LYRICS/TRANSCRIPTION:
Take The Step (Four Wheels To Survival): Unknown Announcer and Cast [1953]

Announcer: Will you take the step?

Kid: Hi, Dad. Want some help washing the car?
Dad: What? Oh, sure, Tom, you want something?
Kid: Nothing, Pop…uh, mind if I put some Civil Defense stickers in here?
Dad: Stickers? What for?
Kid: Oh, see Pop – put 'em on the radio dial at 640 and 1240. That's CONELRAD.
Announcer: Four wheels to survival – that's your car in a Civil Defense emergency. It will help you move away from danger, If it's in good mechanical condition, tires properly inflated, battery in tip top shape, and your gas tank more than half full. Mark your car radio at 640 and 1240 for official information. Another sticker at the half full mark will help remind you to keep plenty of gasoline in the tank. Know the six steps to survival. Make this year your family's year for Civil Defense. You take the first step.

[Otto Puzzell]

Ah, some marketing embellishment then. 

[Ray B.]

And more fun here if you're interested:
http://www.conelrad.com/index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Atomic_Cafe