Clessie Cummins wanted to prove that a diesel motor was a viable option for passenger car travel. Founded in 1919, Cummins Engine Company focused on the development of the diesel engine, invented 22 years earlier by German Rudolf Diesel. To show the feasibility of diesel Cummins installed a diesel engine in a used Packard and traveled from Indianapolis to New York and back, completing his round trip journey on this day in 1930. The one way journey used 30 gallons of diesel fuel, costing just $1.38 at the time. This was the first of several publicity drives Cummins would complete, including one in 1935 from New York to San Francisco using just $7.62 in fuel. Cummins would first find success in the automobile industry as the leading supplier of heavy duty truck engines in post WWII America. Between 1952 to 1959 Cummins Engine Company owned more than half the truck engine market. The Packard with a diesel engine driven by Clessie CumminsThe Cummins Special that competed in the 1931 Indy 500. It never had to refuel and cost less than $8 in fuel to finish the race. Driver Dave Evans came in 13th in the race.
The best way to support This Day in Automotive History is to become a monthly subscriber on Facebook.
Subscriber benefits include:
- Most importantly, you’re supporting great content about Automotive History
- Early access to content on Facebook
- Discounts on our store
- Special live videos
If you learned something today, please buy me a beer!
POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE
Future Collectible – 1984 Subaru GL Wagon
April 1, 2020

May 13, 1975 – Inventor of drive-in dies
May 13, 2022



January 6, 1930 – The first diesel road trip
January 6, 2022
RECENT POSTS

March 26, 1879 – Othmar Ammann, NYC bridge designer, is born
March 26, 2025

The History of the Arizona Automotive Industry
March 26, 2025


March 19, 1999 – Ford establishes Premier Automotive Group
March 19, 2025

March 18, 1858 – Rudolf Diesel’s birthday
March 18, 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!
Related Posts

March 26, 1879 – Othmar Ammann, NYC bridge designer, is born
March 26, 2025

The History of the Arizona Automotive Industry
March 26, 2025


March 19, 1999 – Ford establishes Premier Automotive Group
March 19, 2025
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!
Connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter to keep in touch.