March 14, 1963 – The Mercedes 230SL debuts
March 14, 2025
The Mercedes-Benz 230SL, also known as the W113, debuted at the Geneva auto show on this day in 1963. Replacing
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March 10, 1983 – The Land Rover 110 is announced
March 10, 2025
On March 10, 1983, Land Rover introduced the One Ten, a rugged off-road vehicle designed for durability and versatility. This
February 19, 2015 – Remembering Yutaka Katayama, Father of the Z Car and first president of Nissan USA
February 19, 2025
Yutaka Katayama, Mr. K, if you will, and often hailed as the “Father of the Z Car,” was born Yutaka
February 10, 1989 – The Mazda Miata MX-5 debuts
February 10, 2025
Ah, the history of the Mazda Miata MX-5. A little roadster with a big personality. This car has been turning
February 6, 1968 – Bunkie Knudsen becomes President of Ford
February 6, 2025
Auto industry titan Semon Knudsen was born in 1912 to William Knudsen, who himself would later become president of General
February 5, 1947 – NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip is born
February 5, 2025
Darrell Lee Waltrip, born on February 5, 1947, is an iconic figure in the world of motorsports, leaving an indelible
February 4, 1922 – Ford buys Lincoln
February 4, 2025
In the early 20th century, the automotive industry was a landscape of innovation, rivalry, and unexpected turns. One such twist
February 3, 1948 – The first automotive tail fins
February 3, 2025
General Motors design chief Harley Earl was an inspired man after gazing upon a twin-tailed P-38 Lightning fighter plane of
January 3, 1914 – Automotive entrepreneur Earl “Madman” Muntz is born
January 3, 2025
In the illustrious realm of automotive design, few figures stand out as boldly as Earl “Madman” Muntz, a maverick with
January 2, 1975 – Top Gear America host Dax Shepard is born
January 2, 2025
Dax Shepard, born on January 2, 1975, isn’t just another Hollywood face; he’s a multifaceted talent whose journey extends far
January 1, 1942 – Ending civilian auto production for WWII
January 1, 2025
An order from the US Office of Production Management issued on this day in 1942 announced an impending freeze on
December 31, 1974 – Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan is born
December 31, 2024
Brazilian race car driver Antoine Rizkallah “Tony” Kanaan Filho, better known as Tony Kanaan, was born on this day in
December 30, 1940 – C. Harold Wills, Ford Model T designer, passes away
December 30, 2024
Despite many claims to fame, most vehicles are not designed by one particular person. It takes a team to bring
December 29, 1991 – Alex Tremulis, designer of Duesenbergs and Subarus, dies
December 29, 2024
Designing a successful, timeless automobile is no simple feat. It takes intuition, future-vision, a steady hand and an incurable desire
December 28, 1994 – Nissan Maxima named Motor Trend Import Car of the Year
December 28, 2024
On this day in 1994, Motor Trend announced its annual Imported Car of the Year winner for the 1995 model
December 27, 1941 – USA begins WWII tire rationing
December 27, 2024
The United States Federal Office of Price Administration (OPA) began its first rationing program to support WWII efforts on this
December 26, 1933 – The beginning of Nissan
December 26, 2024
Nissan can trace its roots back to the first Japanese automaker, Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works. The company’s original three investors
December 22, 1937 – The Lincoln Tunnel opens
December 22, 2024
The 8,216 foot long Lincoln Tunnel, passing underneath the Hudson River between New York City and Weehawken, New Jersey, opened
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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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