In the automotive world, speed records often make headlines. However, one little-known feat defies imagination: five military personnel managed to change the engine of a Ford Escort in less than a minute, 40 years ago. This technical feat, performed in front of cameras, remains unmatched to this day.
An extraordinary challenge
When we think of automotive records, we usually think of speed performances or track times. However, there are other areas where excellence can be expressed, such as replacing an engine. This operation, usually complex and time-consuming, was carried out in record time by an unexpected team.
It's not Formula 1 mechanics who hold this record, but five marines who managed the feat of changing the engine of a Ford Escort in just 42 seconds. This event, captured by television cameras 40 years ago, continues to fascinate car enthusiasts.
Millimeter-precise coordination
The process, almost hypnotic to watch, demonstrates perfect coordination between the five soldiers. The difficulty of the exercise is accentuated by several factors:
โ The timer starts when the running engine is turned off.โ The five men are initially inside the vehicle, a three-door Ford Escort.โ Those seated in the back must exit through the front doors, adding additional complexity.
Once outside, each member of the team performs a specific task:โ One man slides under the vehicle.โ Another disassembles and removes the hood.โ Two tackle the engine compartment.โ The fifth prepares the bar to lift the engine block.
In just 20 seconds, the old engine is removed and the new one is put in place. Connections are made, the hood is put back on, and at 33 seconds, the man under the car is pulled out of his position. At 37 seconds, everyone is back in the vehicle and the engine is started. The last 5 seconds are used to cross the finish line.
A feat that defies time
This feat is all the more impressive when compared to the instructions in the owner's manual, which estimated the time needed to change the engine at over three hours. While we don't know if this is officially a world record, the feat is still remarkable and captivating.
It is important to note that the mechanical simplicity of cars of the time worked in the Marines' favor. Modern vehicles, with their more complex and cluttered engine compartments, would likely make this task much more difficult and time-consuming to accomplish today.
A testimony of military expertise
This feat highlights the extraordinary technical skill and coordination of the military forces. Although we assume that these marines had previous mechanical training, their performance demonstrates an exceptional level of preparation and training.
This feat highlights the diverse and often overlooked skills of military personnel, capable of carrying out complex technical tasks under conditions of extreme stress and time constraints.
In conclusion, this engine change record, although anecdotal, perfectly illustrates the human capacity to push the limits of efficiency and precision. It remains a fascinating testimony to the ingenuity and coordination that highly trained teams can demonstrate, even in unexpected areas.
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