1897 – Racing Pioneer Charlie Wiggins Is Born
African American racing driver, mechanic and civil-rights advocate Charlie Wiggins was born on this day in 1897 in Evansville, Indiana. Barred from competing in many white-only racing events, including the Indianapolis 500, Wiggins became the dominant figure in the Colored Speedway Association and won the prestigious Gold and Glory Sweepstakes four times. Nicknamed the “Negro Speed King,” he also used his success and mechanical expertise to challenge racial barriers in American motorsport.
1914 – Dodge Brothers Completes Its Final Ford Components
The Dodge Brothers factory in Hamtramck, Michigan, shipped its final parts to Ford Motor Company on this day in 1914, ending a major supplier relationship that had helped both companies grow. John and Horace Dodge had built engines, transmissions and other components for Ford while also holding significant company stock, but they chose to sever those ties to pursue automobile manufacturing under their own name. Two days later, Dodge Brothers, Inc. was formally incorporated.
1953 – Fuji Heavy Industries Is Established
Fuji Heavy Industries was formally established on this day in 1953 through the reunification of several companies descended from Japan’s Nakajima Aircraft organization. The company later became best known for its Subaru automobile division and officially adopted the Subaru Corporation name in 2017. Its first passenger-car project, the Subaru 1500, appeared the following year, while the Subaru 360 introduced in 1958 became the model that firmly established the brand in Japan. Fuji Heavy Industries officially changed its name to the Subaru Corporation in 2017.
1996 – Porsche Builds Its One-Millionth Automobile
Porsche completed its one-millionth automobile on this day in 1996 at its Zuffenhausen factory. The milestone reflected nearly five decades of growth from a small sports-car manufacturer into one of the world’s most respected performance brands. By that time, the 911 remained central to Porsche’s identity, while development of the upcoming Boxster was helping position the company for a major expansion in the years ahead
