January 4, 1900 – The first car in Florida arrives
January 4, 2022
On this day in automotive history, Charles A. Clark took delivery of a Locomobile Stanley No. 2 in Jacksonville, Florida,
This Day
January 3, 1926 – Pontiac debuts
January 3, 2022
When it comes to car histories, Pontiac has one of the most interesting beginnings. It was on this day in
December 30, 1940 – California’s first freeway opens
December 30, 2021
The first modern freeway in California, and the Western United States, opened to the public on this day in 1940.
December 29, 1800 – Charles Goodyear is born
December 29, 2021
Charles Goodyear didn’t found Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, but it is named after the self taught chemist. Goodyear, born
December 28, 1938 – Death of an actress and auto parts inventor
December 28, 2021
Often referred to as the first movie star, Florence Lawrence, AKA The Biograph Girl, took her own life on this
December 24, 1961 – The birth of the Split Window Corvette
December 24, 2021
Automobile designer Bill Mitchell received quite the Christmas gift from General Motors on this day in 1961 when two of
December 17, 1903 – The Wright Brothers’ first powered flight
December 17, 2021
On this day in 1903, at approximately 10:35 a.m., Wilbur Wright watched as his brother Orville Wright took off from
December 16, 1949 – The first Saab car
December 16, 2021
Saab’s first production passenger car, the 92, began rolling out of the Trollhättan Assembly plant on this day in 1949.
December 14, 1909 – The last brick is laid at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
December 14, 2021
Despite its current nickname, the original track surface at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a cruel mixture of limestone, gravel, tar
December 13, 1957 – The last first generation Ford Thunderbird
December 13, 2021
Ford’s answer to the Corvette, the Thunderbird, began rolling off assembly lines in 1954 for the 1955 model year. While
December 13, 2003 – Iconic Hat ‘n’ Boots gas station is saved
December 13, 2021
A publicity phenomena took over American highways and byways in the 1950s as gas stations became more than a place
December 11, 1894 – The first auto show
December 11, 2021
Four automakers gathered to display their vehicles in Paris, France on this day in 1894 for the Internationale de Velocipidie
December 10, 1970 – Lee Iacocca elected President of Ford Motor Company
December 10, 2021
On this day in 1970 Lido Anthony “Lee” Iacocca became the president of Ford Motor Company. He would serve in
December 9, 1969 – The first 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6 is built
December 9, 2021
For a short time, a certain spec of the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle offered more horsepower than a Corvette of the
December 5, 1977 – Chrysler Corp debuts FWD compacts Omni & Horizon
December 5, 2021
The first mass produced front wheel drive cars from the Chrysler Corporation debuted on this day in 1977. The subcompact
December 4, 1915 – Henry Ford sets sail to end WWI on “Peace Ship”
December 4, 2021
Henry Ford had a history of supporting unusual causes, often in even more unusual ways. Perhaps no attempted feat was
December 2, 1916 – Uniontown Speedway holds first race, 5 die
December 2, 2021
In the early days of auto racing, death was simply a byproduct of the action. In many circumstances, watching a
November 30, 1960 – The first International Harvester Scout
November 30, 2021
International Harveter doesn’t just make combines, they are are combine. What? The company was founded during the merger of McCormick
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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
This Day in Automotive History is a transportation history, car history and general automotive history website dedicated to providing informative and entertaining content.
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