February 09, 1846 – Wilhelm Maybach is born
February 9, 2017
Hailed as the “King of Constructors” in France during the 1890s for his contributions to the blossoming automotive industry, Wilhelm
Brian Corey
February 8, 1993 – GM sues NBC
February 8, 2017
On November 17, 1992 NBC’s Dateline aired a segment about the dangerous positioning of gas tanks on GM pickup trucks.
February 7, 1975 – Canada slows to 55 MPH
February 7, 2017
In 1973 Richard Nixon propose a maximum speed limit of 50 miles per hour in the United States following an
Feburary 4, 1922 – Lincoln is sold to Ford
February 4, 2017
Henry Leland was a man of high class. He was the founder of America’s premier luxury brand Cadillac, which he
February 2, 1992 – First Japanese win at 24 Hours of Daytona
February 2, 2017
Endurance automobile racing began at Daytona International Raceway in Florida shortly after the course opened in April of 1959, beginning
January 31, 1942 – The last pre-war Chryslers, Plymouths and Studebakers
January 31, 2017
Under the Lend-Lease act the US auto industry transitioned from building personal and commercial cars and trucks to war vehicles,
January 26, 1979 – “Dukes of Hazzard” premiers
January 26, 2017
“Ooooh, those Duke boys!” Cousins Bo and Luke Duke and the rest of Hazzard County crashed onto the small screen
January 22, 1950 – Preston Tucker cleared of charges
January 22, 2017
After working in the auto industry for decades, Preston Tucker saw a post WWII need for a brand new car.
January 19, 1954 – GM’s $1 billion investment
January 19, 2017
On this day in 1954 General Motors announced a $1 billion investment into the expansion of their auto industry. GM
January 13, 1906 – The first AMCMA show
January 13, 2017
Founded just weeks prior, the American Motor Car Manufacturers’ Association held its first auto show on this day in 1906
January 12, 1904 – Ford sets new land speed record
January 12, 2017
Before Henry Ford ever started the car company that would bear his name, he collaborated with a bicycle racer named
January 8, 1944 – Auto racer William K. Vanderbilt II dies
January 8, 2017
The Vanderbilt family is easily associated with wealth, but early auto racing? William Kissam Vanderbilt II was born in 1878
January 6, 1930 – Cummins takes a diesel drive
January 6, 2017
Clessie Cummins wanted to prove that a diesel motor was a viable option for passenger car travel. Founded in 1919,
January 3, 1969 – F1 World Champ Michael Schumacher is born
January 3, 2017
Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher was born on this day in 1969 in Hürth, West Germany. Schumacher’s started
December 31, 1927 – The last Dearborn Independent
December 31, 2016
“The Dearborn Independent,” also referred to as “The Ford International Weekly,” was a weekly paper established in 1901 in Dearborn,
December 27, 1941 – The start of US tire rationing
December 27, 2016
The US federal Office of Price Administration began its first rationing program to support WWII efforts on this day in
December 25, 1985 – Electric distance record
December 25, 2016
It was no ordinary Christmas drive for David Turner and Tim Pickhard when they made a journey of approximately 847
December 23, 1923 – A presidential Rolls Royce
December 23, 2016
Having a birthday during the holiday season can be difficult for some people who think their special day will be
POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE
The deaths of Bonnie & Clyde
May 23, 2016
March 5, 1929 – David Buick dies
March 5, 2023
5 sweet vans for sale on Craigslist under $4K – that run!
April 14, 2021
November 6, 1988 – The first Polish Victory Lap
November 6, 2022
August 14, 1956 – NASCAR racer Rusty Wallace is born
August 14, 2021
RECENT POSTS
June 6, 1925 – Chrysler is founded
June 6, 2025
May 27, 1937 – The Golden Gate Bridge opens
May 27, 2025
What are the Essential Parts of a Car?
May 27, 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.
