July 14, 1955 – VW Karmann Ghia debuts
Volkswagen publicly introduced the production version of its new Karmann Ghia on this day in 1955 at the Kasino Hotel in Westphalia, Germany. The KG was marketed as a 2+2 sports car that was available as a coupe, or after 1957, as a convertible. It combined the mechanicals and
July 13, 1805 – The first self propelled amphibious vehicle is tested
Oliver Evans was an American inventor who was essential to the development of steam locomotion. After building a high pressure steam engine capable of sawing marble in the early 1800s, he set out to find financing for a steam powered carriage. When the Philadelphia Board of Health announced concerns
July 12, 1933 – The Dymaxion car
With a name that rings of bully characters in ‘80s coming of age movies, Buckminster Fuller, born in 1895, was quite the opposite. The Massachusetts raised philosopher, engineer and architect lived his life as, as he put it, “an experiment to find what a single individual can contribute to
July 11, 1899 – Fiat is founded
Count Emanuele Cacherano of Bricherasio was seeking investors in a horseless carriage project and Giovanni Agnelli wanted in. Agnelli paid $400 to buy into the founding of Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili Torino, which occurred on this day in 1899. Translated to English, Italian Automobiles Factory, Turin, or FIAT, as
July 10, 1962 – The three point seat belt is patented
Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin received a US patent for his three-point automobile safety belt “for use in vehicles, especially road vehicles” on this day in 1962. Volvo had hired Bohlin four years earlier as the company’s first chief safety engineer. At that time, seatbelts were rarely used outside of
July 9, 1979 – A Renault explodes in attempt to kill Nazi hunters
A Renault belonging to famed Nazi hunters Serge and Beate Klarsfeld exploded at their home in France on this day in 1979. The Klarsfeds were the target of a car bomb supposedly planted by ODESSA, an international organization established by former SS Nazi officers. The bomb missed their target
July 8, 1969 – Dodge strike rocks Detroit; adds focus to civil rights movement
On this day in 1968 the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM), which consisted of black auto workers, went on a wildcat strike to protest working conditions at Dodge’s Hamtramck assembly plant. A wildcat strike is one that is supported or endorsed by the leadership of the Union of which
July 7, 1953 – Subaru is established
On this day in 1953 Fuji Heavy Industries Co., Ltd (FHI) established the Subaru brand, which is the name given to the Pleiades star cluster shown on the Subaru logo. The six stars represent the six companies that merged together to create FHI. The first Subaru car, the 1500,
