On this day in…
1807
217 years ago
Pall Mall in London became the first street in Britain to be illuminated by gaslight Read more…
1896
128 years ago
Walter Arnold of East Peckham, Kent became the first person in the world to be charged with a speeding offence Read more…
1903
121 years ago
The Motor magazine, was founded Read more…
1911
113 years ago
The first Monte Carlo Rally ended with Frenchman Henri Rougier, in a Turcat-Mery, declared the winner Read more…
1927
97 years ago
The Hon Mrs Victor Bruce driving an AC Six car (PF6465) borrowed from Selwyn Edge, departed from Monte Carlo on an 8,000 miles (12,875 km) endurance trial through Italy, Sicily, Tunisia, Morocco, Spain, and France Read more…
1937
87 years ago
The prototype of the Rolls-Royce Wraith made its first test run Read more…
1938
86 years ago
Mercedes driver Rudolf Caracciola in a W125 Rekordwagen on the Bundesautobahn 5 between the German cities of Frankfurt and Darmstadt, set a new speed record of 432 km/h (268 mph) Read more…
1942
82 years ago
The Ford Rotunda in Dearborn, Michigan, US closed for the duration of World War II Read more…
1945
79 years ago
The c Read more…
1949
75 years ago
Jean-Pierre Wimille (40), the leading driver in the immediate post-war years, was killed when he crashed into a tree while practicing for the Argentinian Grand Prix Read more…
1951
73 years ago
The Ford Victoria, a 2-door hardtop coupe designed by Gordon M Buehrig, was introduced as a midyear model Read more…
1953
71 years ago
The Jeep CJ-3B was introduced Read more…
1954
70 years ago
The XP-21 Firebird, the first gas turbine automobile ever to be built and tested in the United States, was introduced by General Motors in New York City Read more…
1960
64 years ago
Automotive engineer Earl S MacPherson (68), whose career included stints with Chalmers, Libert, Hupmobile, and Chevrolet before executive roles with General Motors and the Ford Motor Company, died Read more…
1962
62 years ago
Alan Connell, driving a Ferrari-engined Maserati Tipo 61, won a SCCA National sports car race in Daytona, Florida, US Read more…
1965
59 years ago
General Motors reported the biggest profit of any U Read more…
1966
58 years ago
The 27-month public testing program of the semi-production Chrysler Turbine Cars concluded Read more…
1966
58 years ago
The British ‘Breath Test’ bill, that set a limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, was published A driver behind the wheel of a stationary car with higher alcohol levels was exempt from prosecution, but would have to prove that he intended to wait until fit to proceed Read more…
1970
54 years ago
The Japan Automatic Transmission Company was formed as a joint venture of the Ford Motor Company, Nissan Motor Company Ltd, and the Toyo Kogyo Company Ltd Read more…
1973
51 years ago
The Formula One 1973 season began pretty much confirming the tendencies of the previous season with Emerson Fittipaldi and his black and golden JPS-Lotus maintaining the upper-hand on the Tyrrells of Jackie Stewart amnd Francois Cevert There had been a big question mark over the Argentine Grand Prix as opening race of the 1973 Formula 1 season due to the political turbulences the country found itself following the return of General Juan Peron from exile Read more…
1979
45 years ago
Don Mack won the Florida Sprint Car Nationals at the Lake City Speedway, Lake City, Florida, US Read more…
1980
44 years ago
Pat Griffth, winner of the 1953 Tourist Trophy, died aged 55 years Read more…
1999
25 years ago
The Ford Motor Co, confirmed the acquisition of the passenger car division of Volvo AB for $6 Read more…
2000
24 years ago
Ford of Canada officially opened the YMCA Child Care Centre at the Ford operation in Oakville, offering Ford employees and community residents a state-of-the-art learning environment for preschoolers Read more…
2002
22 years ago
Alain Prost’s team became the first major F1 casualty for seven years when it collapsed with debts of US$30 million Read more…
2002
22 years ago
The Hyundai Coupe went on sale after over 2 years development at a cost of $230 million US dollars Read more…
2003
21 years ago
H-Town singer Keven Conner was killed in a car crash in Houston aged 28 Read more…
2004
20 years ago
Bentley Motors announced they would produce a limited edition of special Bentley Arnage T-24 Mulliner’s to commemorate Bentley’s historic sixth win in the Le Mans 24-hours Read more…
2005
19 years ago
The cracks between teams and the establishment were beginning to show as only Ferrari turned up to a meeting called by the FIA president Max Mosley to discuss rule changes Read more…
2007
17 years ago
Katherine Legge, driving a Robinson Racing Pontiac-powered Riley DP, made history by completing the one-millionth lap of the 24 Hours of Daytona Read more…
2009
15 years ago
Country singer/songwriter John Rich released a song about the plight of autoworkers titled “Shuttin’ Detroit Down Read more…
2009
15 years ago
Sabino “Sab” Venezia, a URC Sprint Car owner champion in 1963 and 1969, died Read more…
2010
14 years ago
Scott Bloomquist won the first night of the Super Bowl VI Late Model feature race at the Golden Isles Speedway, Brunswick, Georgia, US Read more…