The world’s longest ever rally, the Singapore Airlines London to Sydney rally, started in Covent Garden, London
Sunday 14th August 1977 The world’s longest ever rally, the Singapore Airlines London to Sydney rally, started in Covent Garden, London. The race was won at Sydney Opera House on 28 September by the British team of Andrew Cowan, Colin Malkin and Michael Broad in a Mercedes 280E. They were followed home by team-mate Tony…
One of the more successful developments caused by reactions to the OPEC crisis was unveiled when a Buick Apollo with a reworked 1960’s Fireball V-6 engine was driven by Chief Engineer Phillip C
Monday 17th December 1973 One of the more successful developments caused by reactions to the OPEC crisis was unveiled when a Buick Apollo with a reworked 1960’s Fireball V-6 engine was driven by Chief Engineer Phillip C. Bowser from Flint, to the General Motors’ (GM) building in Detroit, Michigan where President Edward N. Cole drove…
Gary Davis (68), creator of the 1948 Davis three-wheeled car, died in Palm Springs, California, US
Wednesday 15th August 1973 Gary Davis (68), creator of the 1948 Davis three-wheeled car, died in Palm Springs, California, US. The Davis Motor Car Company was based in a 57,000 sq. ft. former aircraft assembly building in Van Nuys, where a prototype three-wheeler named “Baby” was built. Baby was powered by a 47 hp Hercules…
The 3,000,000th Mini was produced
Wednesday 25th October 1972 The 3,000,000th Mini was produced. Produced by British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until 2000, the original is considered a British icon of the 1960s. Its space-saving transverse engine front-wheel drive layout – allowing 80 percent of the area of the car’s floorpan to be used for passengers…
The Range Rover was launched to the press at the Meudon Hotel, Falmouth, Cornwall (UK)
Wednesday 17th June 1970 The Range Rover was launched to the press at the Meudon Hotel, Falmouth, Cornwall (UK). The on-the-road launch price including taxes was £1,998. The first-generation Range Rover was produced between 1970 and 1996. It was available only in a 2-door body until 1981, though prior to this 4 door models were…
Roy D Chapin Jr was named Chairman of American Motors to succeed the retiring Robert B Evans
Monday 9th January 1967 Roy D Chapin Jr was named Chairman of American Motors to succeed the retiring Robert B Evans. AMC President Roy Abernethy also retired and was succeeded by William V Luneberg. Chapin joined American Motors in 1954 when the corporation was formed with the merger of Nash and Hudson. Later, he served…
The 11th Tokyo Motor Show opened
Saturday 26th September 1964 The 11th Tokyo Motor Show opened. The Toyota Corona, the third generation RT 40, made its debut to compete with the Bluebird. Toyota equipped the Crown Eight with a V8 engine to contend with foreign cars, while Isuzu Bellet 1300 and 1500 Coupe & GT, and the 6 cylinder Skyline GT…
The Hudson Motor Car Company merged with Nash-Kelvinator, a car manufacturer formed in turn by the merger of the Nash automobile firm and the Kelvinator kitchen-appliance company
Thursday 14th January 1954 The Hudson Motor Car Company merged with Nash-Kelvinator, a car manufacturer formed in turn by the merger of the Nash automobile firm and the Kelvinator kitchen-appliance company. The new concern was called the American Motors Corporation. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in US history. By the end…
Kaiser bought the ailing Willys-Overland company for US$63,381,175 and merged the Kaiser and Willys operations under the name Kaiser-Willys Corporation
Tuesday 28th April 1953 Kaiser bought the ailing Willys-Overland company for US$63,381,175 and merged the Kaiser and Willys operations under the name Kaiser-Willys Corporation. The decision was then made to exit the passenger car market, which was accomplished at the end of the 1955 model year. By 1956, Willys Motors built only utility vehicles, many…
The last Crosley automobile was produced at their Marion factory in Indiana, US
Thursday 3rd July 1952 The last Crosley automobile was produced at their Marion factory in Indiana, US. Incorporated in 1939, Crosley Motors began assembling mini-cars in Richmond Indiana. The first Crosley was a two-door convertible. It weighed less than 1,000 pounds and sold for $250. In the beginning, his idea was for these small cars…