The man with perhaps the longest name in automobile racing history was born on this day in 1928. Alfonso Antonio Vicente Eduardo Angel Blas Francisco de Borja Cabeza de Vaca y Leighton, Marquis of Portago, best known as Alfonso de Portago, was a Ferrari race car driver from spain. One of his first transportation feats wasn’t by land but by air, when at the age of 17 the millionaire heir flew his plane beneath the London Bridge, winning a $500 bet. He began racing sports cars in 1953 after meeting a US Ferrari importer who asked him to be his co-driver in an upcoming race. He was a successful driver, winning races such as the Tour de France automobile race, the Grand Prix of Oporto, and the Nassau Governor’s Cup. Interestingly, he was also a bobsled racer, participating in the 1956 Winter Olympics, where he missed out on a medal by 0.16 seconds. Alfonso was killed, along with his co-driver Edmund Nelson, on May 12, 1957 during the Mille Miglia. He lost control after a tire blowout during a straight section of track. The crash claimed the lives of nine spectators, including five children.
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
May 19, 1903 – Buick is Founded
May 19, 2023
Fast 5 Friday – Detroit Edition
July 30, 2021
Luxury Beyond Limits: SUVs join Top Priciest Automobiles of All Time
December 1, 2023
October 6, 2003 – Anti auto theft patent
October 6, 2016
April 15, 1964 – Gail Wise is first to buy a Ford Mustang
April 15, 2023
RECENT POSTS
January 30, 1951 – Ferdinand Porsche dies
January 30, 2025
January 29, 1929 – GM begins its overtake of Opel
January 29, 2025
January 27, 1965 – Shelby GT350 goes on sale
January 27, 2025
January 26, 1925 – Actor and racing driver Paul Newman is born
January 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!
Related Posts
January 30, 1951 – Ferdinand Porsche dies
January 30, 2025
January 29, 1929 – GM begins its overtake of Opel
January 29, 2025
January 27, 1965 – Shelby GT350 goes on sale
January 27, 2025
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!
Connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter to keep in touch.