On This Day

H & C Studebaker, a blacksmith and wagon building business, was founded by Henry and Clement Studebaker in South Bend, Indiana. They converted to car manufacturing, becoming one of the larger US independent car manufacturers. During World War II, Studebaker manufactured airplanes for the war effort and emphasised its patriotic role by releasing cars called "The President," "The Champion," and "The Commander. Continue Reading →

Studebaker dealer in Michigan, c. 1930-1945

Fred Wagner , the starter of the race, waved what is believed to be the first checkered flag used to signify the finish of an auto race as Louis Wagner was about to win the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race (US).

The Angus Automobile Company at Angus, Nebraska, US began production of the Fuller – the firm would produce about 500 cars before closing in 1910.

American inventor Frank Huntington (88), of Atkinson, Maine, died. In 1889 Huntington patented a gasoline engine propelled vehicle, four years before the Duryea brothers built and tested their first vehicle in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1893, considered by many as the first American gas powered car. It is likely Huntington was the first inventor of a gasoline engine car on the west coast of the United States. Continue Reading →

Huntingdon's vehicle 1889

Licenses for lorry drivers were introduced in Britain under the Road Traffic Act, 1934. The licensing authority could require the applicant to submit to a practical test of their ability.

American industrialist Roy Chapin, Sr. (55), cofounder of Hudson Motor Company, the predecessor to American Motors, died. He also served as the United States Secretary of Commerce from August 8, 1932, to March 3, 1933, in the last months of the administration of President Herbert Hoover.

Roy Chapin, Sr

The new Kaisers designed by Howard A. "Dutch" Darrin were introduced as 1951 models.

The 44th Chicago Auto Show opened, in spite of the Korean War. Visitors viewed modern all-new body styles developed by Ford, Mercury , Lincoln and Studebaker.

The Willys Six 2-door sedan was introduced as a mid year model.

Isaac Leslie Hore-Belisha (64), 1st Baron Hore-Belisha, PC, a British Liberal Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister remembered for his innovations in road transport and for being an alleged victim of anti-semitism, died. Hore-Belisha was appointed Minister of Transport in 1934 coming to public prominence at a time when motoring was becoming available to the masses. All UK speed limits for motor cars had controversially been removed by the Road Traffic Act 1930 during the previous (Labour) administration. Continue Reading →

Belisha beacons

Concert pianist Josef Hofmann (91), designer of the 1909 Hofmann automobile, died in Los Angeles, US. As a composer, Hofmann published over one hundred works, many of those under the pseudonym Michel Dvorsky, including two piano concertos and ballet music. He made the United States his base during World War I and became a US citizen in 1926. Continue Reading →

Josef Hofmann

Marvin Panch won the Daytona 500 driving a year-old Smokey Yunick Pontiac.

Marvin Panch

The first AC Ace, as modified to Carroll Shelby’s specifications, was shipped to Dean Moon’s shop in Sante Fe Springs, California, where a Ford 260 cid V-6 was installed to create the prototype Cobra.

AC Cobra prototype - 1962

Fireball Roberts and Joe Weatherly won the twin 100 mile NASCAR Grand National qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway. In race 1, Dan Gurney finished 4th in his first GN start. Darel Dieringer, who won the pole in a special 10 lap pole position race held on February 11th, was involved in a 6 car crash in the early going of the second qualifier. Continue Reading →

Mel Kenyon won the Midget race at the Memorial Stadium, Daytona Beach, Florida, US.

About 450 cars and trucks worth 25 million dollars were exhibited at the Chicago Auto Show. One in particular was said to be the first economy import with an American automatic transmission - the Hillman Super Minx. Visitors were also treated to the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, which evolved from a GM show car of that name.

The Porsche Carrera GTS made its racing debut, at Daytona Beach, US.

Mario Andretti, in only his second Daytona 500, won the race. Fred Lorenzen was the only other driver on the lead lap at the end.

Mario Andretti

Bobby Allen powered his Emrich Chevrolet to win the 30-lap Super Sprint car race at the Jacksonville Speedway, Jacksonville, Florida ,US. Dick Gaines was second followed by Bob Kinser, James McElreath, Sam Swindell, Rob Smith, Barry Camp, Bobby Johns and Eddie Hanks.

Benny Parsons slipped by a spinning David Pearson with 2 laps to go and went on to win the Daytona 500. Parsons had closed on Pearson with drafting help from Richard Petty, who was 8 laps down. While attempting to pass the lapped cars of Richie Panch and Cale Yarborough on the backstretch, Pearson and Yarborough tapped fenders, sending Pearson spinning across the grass. Continue Reading →

A.J. Foyt and Darrell Waltrip won the twin 125 mile NASCAR GN qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway.

Richie Evans won the eighth night Modified feature of the World Series Of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at the New Smyrna Speedway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, US. Charlie Jarzombek was second followed by George Kent, Dave Nichols and Satch Worley.

Jack Ingram won the Daytona Sportsman 300 race at the Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Florida, US.

The longest-ever reported traffic jam occurred, stretching 109 miles (176 km) from Lyon towards Paris, France.

Geoff Bodine won the Daytona 500, picking up his first career superspeedway win. Bodine and Dale Earnhardt were dueling for the win when Earnhardt ran out of fuel with three laps to go. Earnhardt blew his motor while peeling out of the pits after the splash and go stop. Continue Reading →

Davey Allison dodged several wrecks and finishes a car length ahead of Morgan Shepherd to win the Daytona 500. A 14-car crash crippled or took out nine of the 16 cars running on the lead lap.

Twenty-five-year-old Jeff Gordon claimed his first Daytona 500 victory, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the 200-lap, 500-mile National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) event, dubbed the "Super Bowl of stock car racing." Driving his No. 24 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the Hendrick Motorsports racing team, Gordon recorded an average speed of 148.295 mph and took home prize money of more than $377,000. According to NASCAR.com, Gordon was "a veritable babe in a field that included 27 drivers older than 35, 16 at least 40." Gordon's Hendrick teammates Terry Labonte and Ricky Craven finished the race second and third, respectively.

Jeff Gordon

Jenson Button narrowly avoided injury when his Williams hit a bird during testing in South Africa. He was travelling at over 160mph on the Kyalami track when the bird flew across his path and smashed into the car's airbox, directly above Button's head. He immediately returned to the pits where he parked up the car completely unhurt.

The 4000th Aston Martin DB7 was produced – the most successful model ever to be produced by the marque. The Galloway Green Vantage Coupe moved total DB7 production ahead of the combined total achievement of the DB4, DB5 (James Bond) and DB6 models.

Aston Martin DB7

Delphi Automotives and the BMW Group presented the first prototype automobile with a gasoline fuel cell for on board electrical supply.

Formula One teams agreed on lifting the ban on traction control that had been in place since 1994. The controversial technology, which prevents wheel-spin, was believed to be fitted to a number of cars but was not being detected by the FIA's scrutineers. To ensure a level playing field the technology was made legal and became an important technological battle ground for the teams. Continue Reading →

Thieves broke into George Michael’s London home and stole over £100,000 ($170,000) worth of paintings, jewellery and designer clothes and drove off in his £80,000 ($136,000) Aston Martin DB7. They also caused £200,000 ($340,000) worth of damage to his home.

The Lamborghini Murciélago established three international speed records for a series production car: the greatest distance covered in one hour, and fastest times to complete 100 km and 100 miles. The testing took place at Italy’s Prototipo ring. The car passed the 100 km marker after just 18:44.9 minutes, and 100 miles after 30:09 minutes, completed at average speeds of 198.853 mph (320.023 km/h) and 198.996 mph (320.254 km/h), respectively.

Lamborghini Murciélago

Michael Waltrip won the rain-shortened Daytona 500. Waltrip's Chevrolet was out front when the race is called after 272.5 miles and 109 laps.

A panel of judges made up of 48 renowned motoring journalists voted the Audi A6 as the first "World Car of the Year".

Electric vehicle enthusiasts begin a "Don't Crush" vigil to stop G.M. from demolishing 78 impounded EV1s in Burbank, California, US. Continue Reading →

A car passenger was charged with drink driving in Austria after the driver jumped into the backseat. Police charged the passenger even though he said he had to grab the wheel to stop the car going over a cliff. The original driver was also charged with drink driving following the incident in Dornbirn.

Fiat SpA announced that it would purchase the Maserati sports car marque from Ferrari, a company in which it already had a majority stake, just three days after winning independence from General Motors Corporation.

Jerry Karl (66), a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series, died in a car crash at Baltimore, US. Starting out in midget car racing and sprint car racing, he made his Champ Car debut in 1969 and qualified for his first Indy 500 in 1973 driving an Eagle chassis powered by a twin-turbo Chevrolet V8 engine fielded by legendary car owner Smokey Yunick.[1] He raced for another team in 1974, but returned to drive for Yunick in 1974 and finished 13th at Indy. Continue Reading →