1925 – Dodge Brothers Sold in Landmark Deal
In 1925, following the deaths of founders John and Horace Dodge, the Dodge Brothers Company was sold to the investment firm Dillon, Read & Company for $146 million—an enormous sum at the time, equivalent to roughly $2.7 billion today. An additional $50 million was directed toward charitable causes, making it one of the largest financial transactions in early automotive history. Just three years later, the company would be sold again, this time to Chrysler, where the Dodge brand would become a core part of Chrysler’s growing empire.
1948 – Land Rover Debuts at the Amsterdam Motor Show
On April 30, 1948, Land Rover was officially launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show. Developed by Maurice Wilks, the original Land Rover was designed as a rugged, utilitarian vehicle inspired by the wartime Jeep. Built with aluminum body panels due to postwar steel shortages, it quickly gained a reputation for durability and off-road capability. What began as a practical agricultural tool would evolve into one of the most iconic and respected off-road vehicle brands in the world.
1978 – Mazda RX-7 Makes Its U.S. Debut
In 1978, Mazda introduced the Mazda RX-7 to the United States, bringing its unique rotary engine technology, developed by Felix Wankel, to a wider audience. Lightweight, affordable, and fun to drive, the RX-7 quickly became a favorite among enthusiasts. It remained in production until 2002, spanning three generations and earning a reputation as one of the most distinctive sports cars of its era. Mazda followed it with the RX-8, which continued the rotary engine legacy with a more modern design and rear-hinged “freestyle” doors. While the RX-8 offered improved practicality and refinement, it also marked the end of Mazda’s rotary-powered sports cars—for now—cementing the RX-7’s place as the more iconic of the two.
