1906 – The First Grand Prix Begins
Modern motorsport was born on this day in 1906 when the inaugural French Grand Prix got underway on public roads outside Le Mans. Organized by the Automobile Club de France, the race covered more than 770 miles over two days and is widely recognized as the world’s first true Grand Prix. The term Grand Prix, meaning “Grand Prize,” referred to the winner’s purse of 45,000 French francs—worth roughly $210,000 today. Hungarian driver Ferenc Szisz piloted a Renault to victory, establishing a racing tradition that would eventually evolve into today’s Formula One World Championship.
1930 – Henry Royce Is Knighted
One of Britain’s greatest engineers received one of its highest honors on this day in 1930 when Henry Royce was knighted by King George V. As cofounder of Rolls-Royce, Royce became renowned for his relentless pursuit of engineering perfection, famously insisting that “whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble.” His attention to detail transformed Rolls-Royce into the world’s benchmark for automotive luxury and excellence, a reputation the marque continues to uphold more than a century later.
1945 – Automotive Pioneer Benjamin Briscoe Dies
Detroit industrialist Benjamin Briscoe died on this day in 1945 after helping shape the early American automobile industry. Briscoe founded the Briscoe Motor Corporation and played key roles in numerous automotive ventures during the industry’s formative years. Perhaps his greatest contribution came behind the scenes, where he helped finance and organize several manufacturers during a period when hundreds of companies were competing to define the future of the automobile.
1953 – The Last Henry J Rolls Off the Assembly Line
An ambitious experiment in affordable transportation came to an end on this day in 1953 when Kaiser-Frazer built the final Henry J. Named after industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, the compact economy car was introduced in 1950 as an inexpensive alternative for postwar families. Although innovative in its simplicity and affordability, the Henry J struggled against better-equipped competitors from Detroit’s Big Three. Today, surviving examples have become favorites among hot rodders and collectors who appreciate the car’s distinctive styling and place in independent automotive history.
2015 – Chevrolet Reveals the Sixth-Generation Camaro
Chevrolet pulled the wraps off the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro on this day in 2015 during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Built on General Motors’ lighter Alpha platform, the redesigned Camaro offered sharper handling, improved performance, and a more refined driving experience while retaining the muscular styling that had defined the nameplate since 1967. The new generation reinforced the Camaro’s place in the long-running pony car rivalry with the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, proving there was still strong demand for American performance coupes well into the 21st century.
