On this day in…
1891
133 years ago
Frederick Simms, founder of the RAC and Daimler wrote a letter containing the first recorded use of the term “motor car” Read more…
1911
113 years ago
Charles F Kettering installed his reduced size starter-generator in a Cadillac and conducted the first successful tests on the system Read more…
1911
113 years ago
The American Motor Car Manufacturers Association (AMCMA) disbanded in Chicago, Illinois as pending legal actions against the Selden patent appeared to be heading toward an unsuccessful conclusion Read more…
1912
112 years ago
The US Army Road Test to prove the reliability of motor trucks began in Washington DC, US Read more…
1916
108 years ago
Charles F Kettering received the second of two patents for his Engine Starting, Lighting and Ignition System Read more…
1917
107 years ago
Glenn H Read more…
1936
88 years ago
William Durant, filed for personal bankruptcy Read more…
1939
85 years ago
Bill Cummins (34), winner of the 1934 Indianapolis 500 and holder of the land speed record for diesel-powered cars, died Read more…
1939
85 years ago
Rudolf Caracciola established two new D class standing start speed records; 1 km Standing Start: 175 Read more…
1942
82 years ago
Major General Fritz Todt (50), builder of the German Autobahns was killed in an air crash Read more…
1947
77 years ago
The 1947 Chevrolets were introduced Read more…
1956
68 years ago
AEC Routemaster double-decker bus Read more…
1964
60 years ago
The stage revue was still a part of the 56th Chicago Auto Show, during which The Chicago Automobile Trade Association celebrated its 60th anniversary Read more…
1964
60 years ago
The Iraqi National Oil Company was incorporated in Baghdad Read more…
1968
56 years ago
The 100,000th Triumph Spitfire, a Mk3, rolled off the production line Read more…
1968
56 years ago
British Motor Holdings Ltd and Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd merged to form the British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd, which evolved into BLC plc Read more…
1975
49 years ago
Sleepy Tripp, in the Doug Caruthers # 2, won the USAC Midget feature at the State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, US Read more…
1985
39 years ago
Englishman Sir William Lyons died in Wappenbury Hall, England at the age of 83 Read more…
1985
39 years ago
Englishman Sir William Lyons died in Wappenbury Hall, England at the age of 83 Read more…
1986
38 years ago
Not many Chicagoans had an opportunity to take a close look at an exotic Lamborghini Countach, except at the 1986 auto show Read more…
1989
35 years ago
Dean Billings won the All American Midget Series race at the Volusia County Speedway, Barberville, Florida (US) Read more…
1993
31 years ago
General Motors sued NBC, alleging that the “Dateline NBC” program had rigged two car-truck crashes to show that 1973-1987 GM pickups were prone to fires in side impact crashes Read more…
1994
30 years ago
Sale of the Mercury Capri, made by Ford of Australia, was discontinued in North America Read more…
2000
24 years ago
Professional American Football linebacker Derrick Thomas (33) of the Kansas City Chiefs broke his neck and one of his friends, Michael Tellis (49), died after Thomas lost control of his Chevrolet Suburban while speeding on a snow-and-ice-covered stretch of Interstate 435 Read more…
2002
22 years ago
Ferrari 575 M Maranello was unveiled, the evolutionary successor to the 550 Maranello Read more…
2002
22 years ago
A coroner investigating the death of marshal Graham Beveridge at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix found that the accident could have been avoided Read more…
2002
22 years ago
Billed as the largest automobile exposition of its kind in North America, the 2002 Chicago Auto Show opened to the public, featuring a complete range of cars, trucks, SUVs, and experimental vehicles like the Dodge “big bang” M80 concept truck, and the “cutting edge” Razor dream car Read more…
2004
20 years ago
Proton Waja (Proton Impian in UK), the first car model designed internally by Proton, was launched Read more…
2006
18 years ago
The Belgian Grand Prix was dropped from 2006 calendar after organisers revealed improvements to the circuit would not be ready in time for the event Read more…
2007
17 years ago
Scion, a marque of vehicles produced by Toyota Motor Corporation founded in 2003, unveiled two models, the xB, based on the t2B concept, and the new xD, successor of the xA, at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show Read more…
2014
10 years ago
One of the most popular exhibits at the opening of the Chicago Auto Show was the new Bugatti Veyron 16 Read more…
2016
8 years ago
The Jeep brand celebrated its 75th anniversary during the Super Bowl 50 broadcast with two special commercials Read more…
