On this day in…
1894
129 years ago
Count Albert de Dion held a meeting of pioneering automobiles at his home to plan for the Paris-Bordeaux race Read more…
1895
128 years ago
The oldest surviving car magazine in the world, The Autocar, was launched – “in the interests of the mechanically propelled road carriage” – when, it is believed, there were only six or seven cars in the United Kingdom Read more…
1896
127 years ago
The first motor insurance policy was issued by the General Accident Company in England Read more…
1902
121 years ago
Recently hired engineer Andrew Riker, co-founder of the Society of Automotive Engineers, delivered the first four-cylinder, petrol-powered Locomobile, a $4,000, 12 hp Model C, to a buyer in New York City Read more…
1929
94 years ago
The Hungerford rocket-powered car built by brothers Floyd and Daniel Hungerford made its maiden run in Elmira, New York, US Read more…
1932
91 years ago
The Plymouth Model PC was introduced to its dealers via a 90 minute CBS radio programme narrated by commented by Lowell Thomas Read more…
1934
89 years ago
La Société Industrielle de Méchanique et de Carrosserie Automobile, SIMCA, was formed with FIAT at 163 to 185 Avenue Georges Clemenceau, in Nanterre, France Read more…
1935
88 years ago
The Cord 810 was introduced at the National Automobile Show in New York City Read more…
1935
88 years ago
The 1936 Chevrolets, Chrylsers, DeSotos, Dodges, Pierce-Arrows and Studebakers were all introduced Read more…
1935
88 years ago
Rudolf Steinweg (45) driving a Bugatti died at the Guggerberg Hillclimb, near Budapest, during practice Read more…
1944
79 years ago
Thomas Midgley (55), key figure in a team of chemists, led by Charles F Read more…
1959
64 years ago
Watford Gap, the oldest of Britain’s motorway service stations opened Read more…
1959
64 years ago
The first section of the M1 motorway between Junction 5 (Watford) and Junction 18 (Crick/Rugby), together with the motorway’s two spurs (the M10 from Junction 7 to the south of St Albans, originally connecting to the A1, and the M45 from Junction 17 to the A45 and Coventry), was opened by the British Minister for Transport Ernest Marples Read more…
1965
58 years ago
Craig Breedlove entered the FIA record book with a two-run average of 555 Read more…
1966
57 years ago
The Mercury Division of the Ford Motor Company held a press conference in Carmel, California, to announce the formation of the Bud Moore Mercury Cougar Trans-Am series racing team Read more…
1968
55 years ago
Jackie Ickx and David Hobbs drove a Gulf Ford GT40 to victory in the Rand 9 Hour Race at Kyalami, South Africa Read more…
1970
53 years ago
Double World Champion Graham Hill drove the first Ford RS car (Escort RS 1600) from a purpose built production line within Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (FAVO) of South Ockendon, Essex, England Read more…
1975
48 years ago
Richard Petty lapped the field in scoring a dominant Volunteer 500 triumph on the latest date a Bristol Motor Speedway (Tennessee, US) Read more…
1975
48 years ago
Bobby Rahal drove a March 75B to victory in the Formula B race during the SCCA Champion Spark Plug Road Racing Classic at Road Atlanta in Brazelton, Georgia, US Read more…
1978
45 years ago
Lee Iacoccoa joined Chrysler Corporation as President and Chief Executive Officer Read more…
1980
43 years ago
Cale Yarborough won the Atlanta Journal 500 at Atlanta International Raceway (Georgia, US) to move to within 29 points of Dale Earnhardt in the NASCAR championship chase Read more…
1983
40 years ago
A new type of vehicle rolled off an assembly line for the first time; a minivan, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager Read more…
1989
34 years ago
Carmen Fasanella, a taxicab driver from Princeton, New Jersey (US), retired after 68 years and 243 days of service Read more…
1990
33 years ago
In a small shopping centre in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the National Corvette Museum Annex was opened Read more…
1999
24 years ago
In the first-ever sale of electric vehicles by a major auto maker in Canada, Ford of Canada delivered 16 battery-powered, zero-emission 1999 Ford Ranger EV pickup trucks to Quebec-based [Canada] customers Read more…
2001
22 years ago
Douglas Hele (81), leading British motorcycle designer died Read more…
2002
21 years ago
Whitney Houston’s husband, Bobby Brown was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, speeding, driving without a licence and having no proof of insurance after he was stopped by police in Atlanta City, US Read more…
2007
16 years ago
Over £1 million worth of veteran cars were sold at Bonham’s biggest ever ‘London to Brighton’ sale Read more…
2007
16 years ago
Bruton Smith purchased the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire, US Read more…
2008
15 years ago
Lewis Hamilton became the youngest ever Formula One World Champion, aged 23 years, after finishing 5th at the Brazilian Grand Prix Read more…
2013
10 years ago
Kjell Qvale (94), a Norwegian-American business executive, died Read more…
