Summary
In the early 1930s, Detroit is the heartbeat of automotive innovation. Jed Morgan, a car manufacturer, sets a high-stakes challenge: the first to perfect a gear-less motor invention will receive half his profits. This competition brings together John Steele, a mechanical genius, and Chet Higgins, a shrewd promoter. As Emily Dale, Morgan's confidential adviser, champions Steele, Higgins enlists a rogue mechanic to sabotage the race. In a thrilling series of events, Steele's car is wrecked, leaving Emily to claim the right-of-way and permission to drive on a record-breaking trip to California. Despite numerous obstacles, Emily prevails, though her victory is marred by having to drive through a show window. The film culminates in a bittersweet conclusion, where Morgan’s love for Emily is revealed, and Steele is rewarded with both the financial prize and Emily’s heart.
Synopsis
Jed Morgan, a Detroit automobile manufacturer, calls in John Steele, a mechanical genius, and Chet Higgins, a promoter, and offers a half interest in profits to the first man to perfect his gear-less motor invention. Emily Dale, Morgan's confidential adviser, prefers Steele and urges him to win, while Higgins calls to his aid a renegade mechanic. Steele places his car on a train, and Higgins plans to wreck it so as to be the first to claim the prize; his plan succeeds, but Morgan is taken ill, giving Steele and Emily time to recondition the car. Emily obtains right-of-way over main roads and permission to speed on a record-breaking trip to California. In spite of attempts to stall her, Emily wins the race, though forced to drive her car through a show window. Steele is rewarded by Morgan with the money and the love of Emily.
