During the late 80's I was hired to write and direct three videos telling the tale of how the all-new Buick Regal, Olds Cutlass, and Pontiac Grand Prix were developed. These cars were said to be crucial to GM's future. (The videos must have helped a little, for GM is still with us.) The crew and I shot considerable footage inside the company's proving grounds in Milford, just outside Detroit, and in Mesa, Arizona, near Phoenix. I'm surprised to learn that a major portion of the Mesa proving grounds has been sold to a Scottsdale developer for $265 million. Not that I'm against land development (if applied with regard to the environment) but it's sad to see this 50-year-old test facility disappear. My memories include being given the opportunity to drive a GM engineer's personal modified Firebird flat-out around the oval track at speeds in excess of 125 mph and being told not to spin off the pavement as nasty snakes awaited in the grass. Also when producer Jim Cole, gofer Chuck Bateman, and myself discovered that adjacent to a portion of the track was a USAF fighter training facility where jet pilots constantly practised touch-and-go's. All three of us were private pilots and couldn't resist watching the runway activity, ignoring the shouted complaints of our executive producer and an irritated client. Jim had an inspiration, judging that if we could time a Cutlass pass-by with a jet fighter's touchdown we'd have a great shot. He was right and our truancy was forgiven. Someday I'll upload these award-winning videos onto You-Tube where you can see them. Meanwhile, here's a toast to another piece of automotive history lost. Let's hope the developer adds a suitable memorial.