February 3, 1948 – The first automotive tail fins hit the road
February 3, 2022
General Motors design chief Harley Earl was an inspired man after gazing upon a twin-tailed P-38 Lightning fighter plane of
This Day
February 2, 1839 – Edmond Berger invents the spark plug
February 2, 2022
When the first internal combustion engines began to show up in the late 1700s, sparks began to fly, quite literally.
January 31, 1942 – Civilian auto production wraps up – WWII efforts begin
January 31, 2022
Franklin Roosevelt introduced the Lend-Lease Act in January of 1941 to allow the U.S. to lend or lease war materials
January 30, 1970 – Automotive TV Host Chris Jacobs’ birthday
January 30, 2022
Chris Jacobs, host of multiple automotive television shows, is celebrating his birthday today. Well known as a co-host of Overhaulin‘
January 27, 2022 – 40 millionth Ford F-Series truck for US sales leaves assembly line
January 27, 2022
On this day in 2022, the 40,000,000th F-Series for U.S. customers rolled off the line at Ford’s River Rouge plant
January 26, 1979 – The Dukes of Hazzard premiers
January 26, 2022
“Ooooh, those Duke boys!” Cousins Bo and Luke Duke and the rest the cast of The Dukes of Hazzard first
January 25, 1941 – NASCAR racer Buddy Baker is born
January 25, 2022
Elzie Wylie “Buddy” Baker, Jr. was born to his racecar driving father, Buck Baker, and his mother Susan on this
January 24, 1957 – The 10,000,000th Plymouth
January 24, 2022
If you wanted a cheap car in 1928, you had quite a few options. Ford’s first all new car since
January 23, 1980 – Automotive designer Giovanni Michelotti dies
January 23, 2022
Giovanni Michelotti, a most accomplished automotive designer, passed away on this day in 1980. Born in Turin, Italy in 1921,
January 19, 1978 – The last German VW Beetle
January 19, 2022
Introduced in Germany during the Nazi regime as the The People’s Car, the Volkswagen Type 1, commonly referred to as
January 17, 1953 – The Chevrolet Corvette debuts
January 17, 2022
America’s sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette, made its public debut at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City during GM’s
January 13, 1942 – Ford receives Soybean Car patent
January 13, 2022
After investing millions of dollars into the development of plastics, the Ford Motor Company publicly debuted its Soybean Car on
January 12, 1879 – Ray Harroun, first Indy 500 winner, is born
January 12, 2022
Ray Harroun, the winner of the inaugural Indianapolis 500, was born on this day in 1879 in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania. By
January 11, 1923 – Carroll Shelby is born
January 11, 2022
Carroll Shelby, legendary race car driver, team owner and car builder, was born on this day in 1923. Though he
January 10, 1942 – Ford earns WWII Jeep contract
January 10, 2022
Prior to the US entering WWII, the U.S. Army contacted 135 companies asking for prototypes of a four wheel drive
January 9, 1924 – Ford’s worth tops $1 billion
January 9, 2022
On January 9, 1924, the market capitalization of Ford Motor Company would exceed $1 billion for the first time. For
January 6, 1925 – John DeLorean is born
January 6, 2022
American automotive engineer and industry executive John Z. DeLorean was born in Detroit, Michigan on this day in 1925. While
January 6, 1930 – The first diesel road trip
January 6, 2022
At 11 years old in 1930, the Cummins Engine Company faced a make or break situation. It was now or
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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
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