Eddie Rickenbacker, namesake of Rickenbacker Motors, died in Zurich, Switzerland at the age of 82


Monday 23rd July 1973

Eddie Rickenbacker, namesake of Rickenbacker Motors, died in Zurich, Switzerland at the age of 82. An American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient, Rickenbacker was known as a race-car driver before World War I. He became America’s premier flying ace during the war and returned home to a hero’s welcome. Declining offers from the aviation industry and even Hollywood, Rickenbacker decided to lend his name to a car company, although he played a negligible role in the company’s management and eventually resigned his position there. Selling technologically advanced cars incorporating innovations from automobile racing, the Rickenbacker came equipped with the first four-wheel brake system. Probably due to bad publicity from the other car manufacturers, who feared they would be unable to sell their inventory of cars with two-wheel braking, the company had trouble selling its cars and eventually went bankrupt in 1927. Rickenbacker raced in the 1912, 1914, 1915 and 1916 Indianapolis 500. His only finish in the race was in 1914 when he finished 10th. In the other three races, he did not finish due to car failure. In 1927, Rickenbacker bought the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which he operated for nearly a decade and a half before closing it down due to World War II. In 1945, Rickenbacker sold the Speedway to Terre Haute, Indiana businessman Anton Hulman, Jr.


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