February 23, 1958 – Juan Manuel Fangio is kidnapped
Argentinian race car driver Juan Manuel Fangio dominated the first decade of Formula 1, winning the World Drivers’ Championship five times in the 1950s, a record which stood for 47 years. But he wasn’t in the driver’s seat when he made headlines on this day in 1958. It was
February 22, 1970 – Plymouth Superbird gets first NASCAR win at Daytona 500
Some say the modern era of NASCAR began with the running of the 1970 Daytona 500. By that point, race cars were far less stock than their predecessors as automakers specially designed them for the track. Of course, street legal versions turned up at dealers, as a limited quantity
February 21, 1948 – NASCAR is founded
NASCAR’s roots intertwine with those of smuggling moonshine during America’s prohibition era. Drivers who delivered illegal alcohol needed fast cars to outrun police, so they regularly tuned their vehicles for more power and better handling. Following prohibition, these drives continued to possess a need for speed. They organized races
February 20, 1909 – Hudson is founded
When eight businessmen from Detroit approached department store founder Joseph L. Hudson requesting an investment for a new automobile company he was likely a bit confused. He dealt in suits, not cars, after all. Regardless, their pitch sold him on the idea. He put up the necessary capital to
February 19, 1954 – Ford Thunderbird concept is completed
Ford Motor Company knew it needed a response, and fast, when Chevrolet rolled out the Corvette prototype in January 1953. The concept for its Thunderbird was born the very next month. From idea to rolling reality in just one year, the Ford Thunderbird prototype received its finishing touches this
February 18, 2001 – Dale Earnhardt Sr. dies at Daytona
NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in an accident on the final lap of the Daytona 500 on this day in 2001. It was a three car crash at Daytona that sent Earnhardt’s #3 car into the outside wall head on. An autopsy revealed he had died instantly of
February 17, 1972 – VW Beetle outsells Ford Model T
Introduced in 1908, the Ford Model T would become the best selling car of all time by the time production ended in 1927. It’d be another 45 years before another car matched its production numbers. On this day in 1972 Volkswagen beat that record when the 15,007,034th Type 1
February 16, 1843 – Henry Leland, founder of Cadillac & Lincoln, is born
Henry Leland, founder of Cadillac and Lincoln, was born on this day in 1843. He began his professional engineering career in the firearms industry, including time spent at Colt. His exceptional eye for toolmaking, manufacturing and parts interchangeability resulted in a partnership with Robert Faulconer. The two later founded
