January 17, 1953 – The Chevrolet Corvette debuts
January 17, 2022
America’s sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette, made its public debut at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City during GM’s
This Day
January 13, 1942 – Ford receives Soybean Car patent
January 13, 2022
After investing millions of dollars into the development of plastics, the Ford Motor Company publicly debuted its Soybean Car on
January 12, 1879 – Ray Harroun, first Indy 500 winner, is born
January 12, 2022
Ray Harroun, the winner of the inaugural Indianapolis 500, was born on this day in 1879 in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania. By
January 11, 1923 – Carroll Shelby is born
January 11, 2022
Carroll Shelby, legendary race car driver, team owner and car builder, was born on this day in 1923. Though he
January 10, 1942 – Ford earns WWII Jeep contract
January 10, 2022
Prior to the US entering WWII, the U.S. Army contacted 135 companies asking for prototypes of a four wheel drive
January 9, 1924 – Ford’s worth tops $1 billion
January 9, 2022
On January 9, 1924, the market capitalization of Ford Motor Company would exceed $1 billion for the first time. For
January 6, 1925 – John DeLorean is born
January 6, 2022
American automotive engineer and industry executive John Z. DeLorean was born in Detroit, Michigan on this day in 1925. While
January 6, 1930 – The first diesel road trip
January 6, 2022
At 11 years old in 1930, the Cummins Engine Company faced a make or break situation. It was now or
January 5, 1924 – The first Chrysler car debuts
January 5, 2022
Visitors to the lobby of the Commodore Hotel in New York City on this day in automotive history in 1924
January 4, 1900 – The first car in Florida arrives
January 4, 2022
On this day in automotive history, Charles A. Clark took delivery of a Locomobile Stanley No. 2 in Jacksonville, Florida,
January 3, 1926 – Pontiac debuts
January 3, 2022
When it comes to car histories, Pontiac has one of the most interesting beginnings. It was on this day in
December 30, 1940 – California’s first freeway opens
December 30, 2021
The first modern freeway in California, and the Western United States, opened to the public on this day in 1940.
December 29, 1800 – Charles Goodyear is born
December 29, 2021
Charles Goodyear didn’t found Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, but it is named after the self taught chemist. Goodyear, born
December 28, 1938 – Death of an actress and auto parts inventor
December 28, 2021
Often referred to as the first movie star, Florence Lawrence, AKA The Biograph Girl, took her own life on this
December 24, 1961 – The birth of the Split Window Corvette
December 24, 2021
Automobile designer Bill Mitchell received quite the Christmas gift from General Motors on this day in 1961 when two of
December 22, 1978 – The last true Chevy Nova
December 22, 2021
Introduced for 1962, the Chevy II hit the market to compete with the Ford Falcon. The vehicle’s designers used the
December 21, 1945 – General Patton dies following mysterious car accident
December 21, 2021
On December 9, 1945, U.S. General George S. Patton, received an invitation from his chief of staff, Major General Hobart
December 17, 1903 – The Wright Brothers’ first powered flight
December 17, 2021
On this day in 1903, at approximately 10:35 a.m., Wilbur Wright watched as his brother Orville Wright took off from
POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE
February 21, 1909 – Bob Burman wins 100 mile Mardi Gras race
February 21, 2022
5 JDM Cars that Will Soon be Legal in the US
April 11, 2023
September 13, 2004 – Oprah gives away 276 free cars
September 13, 2023
RECENT POSTS
February 17, 1966 – Remembering Alfred Sloan
February 17, 2025
February 12, 2014 – Sinkhole at the Corvette Museum
February 12, 2025
February 10, 1989 – The Mazda Miata MX-5 debuts
February 10, 2025
February 9, 1846 – Engineer Wilhelm Maybach is born
February 9, 2025
This Day in Automotive History - the book!
This Day In Automotive History
By Brian Corey
This book tells fascinating tales, bringing individual days to life with short stories, photographs and illustrations.
This Day in Automotive History
This Day in Automotive History is a transportation history, car history and general automotive history website dedicated to providing informative and entertaining content.
We encourage you to share our page and connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter. If you’d like your car featured, reach out to us!
We encourage you to share our page and connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter. If you’d like your car featured, reach out to us!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!
Connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter to keep in touch.
