January 4, 2011 – The final Mercury
Introduced by Edsel Ford in 1938 for the 1939 model year, Mercury was promoted as a premium brand from Ford Motor Co that filled the gap between Ford and Lincoln. Following an initial push of the all new car, Mercury became an option hound. Meaning, by the 1942 model
January 3, 1926 – Pontiac debuts
On this day in 1926 General Motors officially introduced Pontiac at the New York Auto Show, a companion brand to their modestly priced Oakland line. Soon after Pontiac sales began, the brand far outsold its partner. The increasing sales figures led GM to shut down Oakland in 1932 and
January 2, 1994 – Introducing the Neon
Chrysler introduced the Neon on this day in 1994. At various times, the name would find itself on Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth cars until production ended in 2005. While the US only saw Dodge and Plymouth Neons, Chrysler carried the name in Canada and Europe. The compact car offered
January 1, 1942 – Ending civilian auto production for WWII
An order from the US Office of Production Management issued on this day in 1942 announced an impending freeze on the production and delivery of civilian automobiles in the United States as part of the national war effort. Civilian production would end completely by February 22 that year, leaving
December 31, 1974 – Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan is born
Brazilian race car driver Antoine Rizkallah “Tony” Kanaan Filho, better known as Tony Kanaan, was born on this day in 1974. Kanaan’s career highlights include winning the 2013 Indianapolis 500 and the 2004 IndyCar Series championship. During the 2004 IndyCar season he completed 3,305 laps, making him the first
December 30, 1940 – California’s first freeway opens
The first modern freeway in California, and the Western United States, opened to the public on this day in 1940. Connecting downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena along the season Arroyo Seco River, the Arroyo Seco Parkway motored the US into a new era of transportation. At just 8.162 miles,
December 29, 1800 – Charles Goodyear is born
Charles Goodyear didn’t found Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, but it is named after the self taught chemist. Goodyear, born on this day in 1800, became obsessed with natural rubber and its properties. Commonly referred to as gum elastic in the 1830s, rubber made up many products at the
December 28, 1938 – Death of an actress and auto parts inventor
The first movie star, Florence Lawrence, AKA The Biograph Girl, took her own life on this day in 1938. What does this have to do with automotive history? Between filming more than 250 movies, the car lover invented multiple car systems taken for granted today. Though she received no
