On this day in…
1901
121 years ago
A low-slung car called the “Torpedo Racer”—basically a square platform on bicycle wheels—broke the world speed record for electric cars in Coney Island, New York Read more…
1901
121 years ago
1904
118 years ago
Los Angeles, California recorded its first automobile theft, a White steam-powered touring car, which was later recovered Read more…
1911
111 years ago
Ettore Bugatti signed a contract with Peugeot to produce his 30th automobile design as the Peugeot Bebe Read more…
1916
106 years ago
Dario Resta, driving a Peugeot, won the last Vanderbilt Cup race, held in Santa Monica, California Read more…
1925
97 years ago
Carmaker Vauxhall Motors of Luton was purchased by American giant General Motors for $2 Read more…
1929
93 years ago
Scuderia Ferrari was founded by Enzo Ferrari to enter amateur drivers in various races Read more…
1937
85 years ago
Ferdinand Porsche was issued a United States patent for his torsion-bar suspension Read more…
1950
72 years ago
Cadillac achieved six figure model year production for the first time – the 100,000th 1950 Cadillac was a Fleetwood Sixty Special Sedan Read more…
1952
70 years ago
Donald Thomas, brother to NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Herb Thomas, drove a Fabulous Hudson Hornet to his only victory in NASCAR’s premier series at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia, US Read more…
1955
67 years ago
Leonard Dyer (82), inventor of the ‘H-pattern’ gearshift gate and other automobile improvements, died in Winter Park, Florida, US Read more…
1959
63 years ago
R K Braunsdorff (83), of the Tung-Sol Electric Company, a developer of the automotive directional signal lights and sealed-beam headlights, died Read more…
1981
41 years ago
Production of the Vauxhall Astra commenced in Britain at the Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire Read more…
1984
38 years ago
John Cote Dahlinger, the alleged illegitimate son of Henry Ford, died of cancer in Saginaw, Michigan, US Read more…
1985
37 years ago
The world record for the most persons in a Ford Escort Mk Read more…
1991
31 years ago
FIAT chairman Gianni Agnelli appointed Luca di Montezemolo as the new president of Ferrari Read more…
1996
26 years ago
A monument honoring brothers John F and Horace E Dodge was dedicated at the site of their birthplace in Miles, Michigan, US Read more…
1997
25 years ago
Bobby Labonte throttled his way into the lead in the final 11 laps and speeds to victory in the NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Read more…
1997
25 years ago
The iconic Ligier name disappeared from Formula One when Alain Prost bought the team from Flavio Briatore and re-branded it under his own name Read more…
1999
23 years ago
Ford Division’s sales of new cars and trucks surpassed the three million mark in the US It was the earliest date ever that Ford, America’s top selling brand of cars and trucks, had reached that milestone Read more…
1999
23 years ago
2001
21 years ago
Anthony Davidson had a big accident in qualifying for the Macau Grand Prix and spent the night in the hospital under observation after complaining of neck pains Read more…
2003
19 years ago
Bill Elliott popped a tire on the final lap allowing Bobby Labonte to win the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (US) Read more…
2007
15 years ago
San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M Read more…
2008
14 years ago
Jimmie Johnson made history by winning his third consecutive Sprint Cup championship, tying Cale Yarborough’s record set between 1976-78 Read more…
2009
13 years ago
General Motors Co Read more…
2009
13 years ago
French tyre maker Michelin announced plans to invest nearly 900 million dollars to build a tyre plant to supply India’s fast-growing vehicle market Read more…
2010
12 years ago
In Argentina the SRZero electric sports car, developed by student engineers from Imperial College London, arrived in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, ending a 70-day, 16,000-mile journey that had begun on 3 July at Chena Hot Springs, Alaska Read more…
