June 25, 1956 – The last true Packard
The last true Packard rolled off the assembly line on this day in 1956, although the name would be used on re-badged Studebakers through 1958. Packard is said to be born out of a feud that started in 1898 between James Ward Packard and Alexander Winton, who produced Winton
June 24, 2020 – Alfa Romeo is founded
Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (ALFA )was founded on this day in 1910, the predecessor to Alfa Romeo. Born out of the French Darracq car company that was founded four years prior, ALFA got its start after Italian Giuseppe Merosi was hired by the French company to design more appealing
June 23, 2007 – Ferrari world tour comes to an end
To celebrate its 60th anniversary Ferrari conducted a global relay that lasted nearly five months and passed through more than 50 countries before coming to an end on this day in 2007 at Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, Italy. The event began in January of that year in Abu Dhabi
June 22, 2001 – The Fast and the Furious series begins
On this day in 2001 The Fast and the Furious was released in theaters around the globe. It launched one of the most successful film and entertainment empires to date. To date it is the tenth highest grossing film series ever, raking in $5.8 billion to date. The ninth
June 21, 1947 – The first post war Mille Miglia
The Mille Miglia was an open road endurance race that took place in Italy 24 times from 1927 to 1957. It was on this day in 1947 the first post WWII race took place. The race was won by Italians Clemente Biondetti and Emilio Romano who drove an Alfa
June 20, 1942 – Auschwitz prisoners steal uniforms, guns and a car to escape
On this day in 1942 four prisoners of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz staged a daring escape utilizing a stolen SS member’s personal vehicle, a Steyr 220 sedan, to drive right out the front gate. The escapees were three Polish prisoners, Kazimierz Piechowski, Stanisław Gustaw Jaster and Józef Lempart,
June 19, 1966 -Ford goes 1, 2, 3 at Le Mans
When the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans came to an end on this day in 1966 it was a Ford GT40 in first, second and third place, marking the first time an American automobile won the race. With the three Mk. II Fords so far out in front
June 18, 1923 – The first Kalamazoo Checker is built
Checker Motors Company was founded 1922 after Morris Markin, Chicago clothier and owner of an auto body repair business, loaned a friend $15,000 to support Commonwealth Motor Company. The friend was unable to pay him back, so instead gave Markin ownership of Commonwealth. The car company had been manufacturing
