On this day in…
1800
222 years ago
Charles Goodyear, who patented a process to vulcanize rubber in 1842, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, US Read more…
1907
115 years ago
The 10,000th Ford automobile was produced Read more…
1908
114 years ago
Otto Zachow and William Besserdich of Clintonville, Wisconsin, received a patent for their four-wheel braking system, the prototype of all modern braking systems Read more…
1929
93 years ago
Early German engine designer and industrialist Wilhelm Maybach (83) died Read more…
1931
91 years ago
The Auburn 1931-34 ‘Winged Man” mascot is patented by designer K E Stant Read more…
1942
80 years ago
John H Tuttle was issued with a US patent for an automobile body with an open rear passenger section that could be covered with a removable padded roof panel – his design had been introduced in the new 1939 Checker taxicab Read more…
1947
75 years ago
The first 1948 Pontiac was produced Read more…
1949
73 years ago
Hugh J Read more…
1951
71 years ago
Alberto Granado and Che Guevara begin their seven-months long road trip aboard Granado’s Norton Read more…
1955
67 years ago
Singer shareholders decided to accept an offer (£235,000) to become part of the Rootes Group, headed by the ex-Singer apprentice and dealer, Billy Rootes, with the assurance that the Singer name and reputation would be kept alive Read more…
1958
64 years ago
Edward S Read more…
1962
60 years ago
The LDS made its Formula 1 debut in the South African Grand Prix in East London, but the car designed and driven by Doug Serrurier retired with a radiator leak Read more…
1962
60 years ago
British driver Graham Hill won his first World Drivers Championship when he drove his BRM to victory in the South African Grand Prix at East London Read more…
1967
55 years ago
Hyundai Motor Company was founded in South Korea Read more…
1983
39 years ago
Arnold Schwarzenegger was cited for driving without a license after he drove his Jeep into a ditch with Maria Shriver aboard Read more…
1988
34 years ago
Mike Beuttler (48), British Formula One driver who raced privately entered March cars, died of complications resulting from AIDS Read more…
1989
33 years ago
Actor Christian Slater (20) was arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles, California Read more…
1991
31 years ago
Alexander Sarantos Tremulis (76), auto designer for Cord Automobile, Duesenberg, General Motors, and Ford Motor Company before establishing a consulting firm, died Read more…
2003
19 years ago
Cal Rayborn II, back-to-back winner of the Daytona 200 in 1968 and ’69, died after crashing his bike during a race in New Zealand Read more…
2005
17 years ago
GM stock traded at a 20-year low of $18 Read more…
2013
9 years ago
Andy Granatelli (90), racer, entrepreneur, engineer, promoter, business executive, died Read more…
