On this day in…
1872
152 years ago
Gasmotorenfabrik Deutz AG was incorporated in Cologne, Germany Read more…
1904
120 years ago
American Ransom Eli Olds retired from Olds Motor Works, the company he had founded in 1899 with financial help from the timber tycoon, Samuel L Read more…
1914
110 years ago
A minimum wage of $5 Read more…
1914
110 years ago
The first Rayfield Cyclecar was completed amid great optimism, but only one more car would be built Read more…
1914
110 years ago
The first Lincoln prototype automobile, designed by H D W Mackaye, was tested in Detroit, Michigan, US Read more…
1924
100 years ago
Walter Chrysler, a General Motors executive who had pioneered the introduction of all-steel bodies in motor vehicles (instead of wood), introduced his first motor vehicle Read more…
1925
99 years ago
Ralph DePalma drove a stripped down Chrysler Model B-70 touring car a distance of 1,000 miles in 786 minutes at the Culver City, California tracks, setting numerous stock car records Read more…
1928
96 years ago
Six months after construction began, the first truck rolled off the assembly line at the new GMC factory in Pontiac, Michigan, US Read more…
1928
96 years ago
The Graham-Paige Motors Corporation was organised in Dearborn, Michigan, US by brothers Joseph B, Robert C and Ray A Graham Read more…
1929
95 years ago
The Auburn 120 was introduced at the National Automobile Show in New York City Read more…
1932
92 years ago
The Hupmobile (1931-1934) “Stylized H” mascot was patented by designer Raymond Loewy Read more…
1933
91 years ago
Construction work on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge began on the Marin County side Read more…
1936
88 years ago
Two General Motors plants in Flint, Michigan, were taken over by the Teamsters Union protesting intolerable work conditions Read more…
1950
74 years ago
The 1950 Chryslers were introduced Read more…
1955
69 years ago
The first AC Ace was imported into the US by Joe Bojalad, Pittsburgh, US Read more…
1957
67 years ago
The Chicago Auto Show opened Read more…
1962
62 years ago
Buick announced that it would resume importing the German-built Opel Read more…
1963
61 years ago
Bob van Niekerk in a Lotus-Ford 22 won the Gigi Lupini Trophy held at Killarney in South Africa Read more…
1965
59 years ago
The Renault 16, one of the 1960s most important cars, was introduced to the world and the press in a presentation on the Côte-d’Azur Read more…
1965
59 years ago
NASCAR Grand National driver Billy Wade died when his Mercury crashed during Goodyear tire tests at Daytona International Speedway Read more…
1975
49 years ago
Gary Bettenhausen , driving the Howard Linne #93, won the 75-lap USAC Midget race at the Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US Read more…
1975
49 years ago
Sections of the 5 lane Tasman Bridge over the Derwent River in Tasmania collapsed onto a freighter which had collided with the bridge’s pylons Read more…
1981
43 years ago
Majority interest in Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd was acquired by Pace Petroleum and CH Industries, with Victor Gauntlett and Tim Hearley named as Joint Chairmen Read more…
1993
31 years ago
Nigel Mansell’s first foray into the world of Indycar could hardly have gone better as he broke the track record at Phoenix Raceway in a Lola-Ford Read more…
1994
30 years ago
Eliška Junková (93) born as Alžběta Pospíšilová and also known as Elizabeth Junek, one of the greatest female drivers in Grand Prix motor racing history, died Read more…
1995
29 years ago
Jeremy Clarkson’s Motorworld, a BBC television series about the car and motoring cultures of various countries, premiered Read more…
1995
29 years ago
The $35,000 race-ready, street-legal Mustang Cobra R, capable of 0-60 mph in 5 Read more…
1996
28 years ago
Ford and Jackie Stewart announced a five-year agreement to form a new Grand Prix team Read more…
2000
24 years ago
Otis Stine, was a Pennsylvania Sprint Car driver who was a founder member of the York County Racing Club in 1979, died Read more…
2000
24 years ago
Trevers Walkett, one of four brothers ((Bob, Ivor, and Douglas) who formed Ginetta Cars in 1958 in Woodbridge, Suffolk (England), died aged 76 Read more…
2002
22 years ago
Managing Director Mike Beasley announced that for the first time in its 80-year-old history Jaguar had sold over 100,000 cars in a year when he unveiled the new Jaguar S-Type range at the Los Angeles Motor Read more…
2003
21 years ago
Ford 427 concept, a modern, all-American sedan inspired by the exuberance of the company’s landmark sedans of the 1960s, replete with the uncompromising, 590-horsepower engine that inspired its name” was introduced at the 2003 North American International Auto Show Read more…
2003
21 years ago
Green Day’s lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after being stopped in California speeding in a black BMW convertible Read more…
2003
21 years ago
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited revealed the all-new, 6.8-litre, V12 Rolls-Royce Phantom at the company’s new manufacturing plant and head office at Goodwood in West Sussex Read more…
2004
20 years ago
The first ever BMW 6 Series Convertible made its world debut at the NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan Read more…
2004
20 years ago
The spectacular quad-turbo, V-12 powered, mid-engine Chrysler ME Four-Twelve super car was introduced at Auburn Hills, Michigan, US – the most advanced Chrysler ever built Read more…
2006
18 years ago
A Lamborghini Miura concept car was presented at the Museum of Television & Radio alongside the Los Angeles Auto Show, though it was not present at the show itself Read more…
2008
16 years ago
Brands Hatch – and three other circuits – were bought by former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, ending fears they would be snapped up by property developers Read more…
2008
16 years ago
Lewis Hamilton agreed a five-year deal reportedly worth £70 million to remain with McLaren Read more…
2008
16 years ago
John Anthony Ambrose (73), British rally driver who, as co-driver, twice won the RAC Rally, in 1956 and 1965, died in Newbury, Berkshire, UK Read more…
2010
14 years ago
Donny Schatz won the Scott Darley Memorial Sprint Car race at the Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway, Sydney, Australia Read more…
2011
13 years ago
French car manufacturers Renault suspended three top managers suspected of leaking secrets about electric cars Read more…
