The mid/late-50s was an inconsistent and often rough period for Famous Studios. The quality of their output, for Popeye and overall, was significantly lower than in the 40s, particularly the early/mid-40s before it became more variable later. As well as for the Popeye series the quality is significantly lower than the cartoons made by Fleischer Studios, to quite a sad degree. Am certainly not saying that the cartoons were bad, it just wasn't the same.
While a long way from being one of the classic Popeye cartoons, none of the mid/late-50s cartoons in the series fitted that distinction, 'Car-Razy Drivers' was not too bad at all and close to being one of the better entries from this period (more high middle). While not great by any stretch, 'Car-Razy Drivers' is nice and amusing enough and good if one likes Popeye and Olive together without having rivalry to deal with which is something not seen an awful lot in the series.
Story-wise 'Car-Razy Drivers' is quite thin and although not as formulaic as most of the Popeye cartoons there is not an awful lot new either, the outcome not in doubt.
'Car-Razy Drivers' animation quality is uneven, not uncommon with the Popeye cartoons during this period. It is never terrible but never fantastic. The colours are fine and there is smoothness and nice detail but there are many moments where the backgrounds are sparse and the drawing rough.
Despite being less than perfect, there are a good deal of good things. My favourite asset of 'Car-Razy Drivers' is the music score, which is fantastic as usual. It's beautifully orchestrated, rhythmically it's full of energy and there is so much character and atmosphere, it's also brilliant at adding to the action and enhancing it. The humour is never exactly hilarious or original and doesn't shine as much as Popeye and Olive's chemistry and the tension of the scenario, but the gags do amuse and the dialogue has amusement and charm.
Popeye and Olive's chemistry is charming and one can see what he sees in her. Loved how Popeye is so caring and so willing to help, evident in the more dangerous moments. The locomotive showdown is both tense and wild. Olive is not bland or annoying, and one can relate to her when in a stressful situation like car-driving. Jack Mercer hasn't lost it and Mae Questel shows why she was the only voice actress for Olive who did anything for me.
Overall, nice. 7/10
