September 10, 1970 – Chevrolet Vega goes on sale
On this day in 1970 dealerships began selling the 1971 Chevrolet Vega. The subcompact commuter, which won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award for 1971, was developed under chief engineer Ed Cole and chief stylist Bill Mitchell. In the years following its introduction, various issues with engineering, safety
September 10, 1897 – The first DUI arrest
Any unlucky passenger riding in 25 year old George Smith’s London cab on this day in 1897 may not have received the safe transport they were looking for. Instead, they may have witnessed the first arrest for driving an automobile drunk. It wasn’t difficult for police officers to identify
September 9, 1982 – Henry Ford II (sort of) leaves Ford Motor Company
On this day in 1982 Henry Ford II announced he would remove himself from any involvement at the Ford Motor Company. Ford II, grandson of Henry Ford, was named president of FMC following the death of his father Edsel in 1943 and the realization that Henry Ford I was
September 8, 1974 – Evel Knievel attempts to jump Snake River Canyon
On this day in 1974 Evel Knievel attempted and failed to jump the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in a steam-powered, rocket-like motorcycle. The widely publicized event was broadcast on pay-per-view and into movie theaters around the country. With tens of thousands watching on, Knievel launched at 3:36 PM.
September 7, 1896 – The first closed course automobile race in the US
On this day in 1896 an automaker sponsored automobile race took place at the Narragansett Trotting Park in Cranston, Rhode Island, marking the first automobile race held on a closed course racetrack in the United States. Narragansett was a one mile-long dirt oval at the state fairgrounds that was
September 6, 1949 – VW is returned to German control
After being taken over by British forces following the end of World War II in Europe, Volkswagen was handed back to the Federal Republic of Germany on this day in 1949. Volkswagen was a project started by Adolf Hitler to put Germany on wheels. His plan was to manufacture
September 5, 1960 – A deadly Southern 500
NASCAR’s Southern 500 is one of the sport’s most storied races. With the exception of 2005-2008 (renamed for Dodge sponsorship), the Southern 500 has been held every year at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina since 1950. The race, historically run during Labor Day weekend, has been the site for
September 4, 1922 – The beginning of Jaguar
When motorcycle enthusiasts William Lyons and William Walmsley founded Swallow Sidecar Company on this day in 1922 they hadn’t mentioned any intentions of getting into the automobile business. As their sidecar business expanded they purchased a large building that provided them space to offer auto repair, painting and upholstery
