December 27, 1941 – USA begins WWII tire rationing
The United States Federal Office of Price Administration (OPA) began its first rationing program to support WWII efforts on this day in 1941, limiting the number of tires any automobile driver could own to five. This included the tires already on any vehicle already owned by a driver. Originally
December 26, 1933 – The beginning of Nissan
Nissan can trace its roots back to the first Japanese automaker, Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works. The company’s original three investors named its first car DAT, an acronym of their surnames, which the public first met in 1914. By 1931 the company’s name had changed to DAT Jidosha & Co.
December 25, 1878 – Louis Chevrolet is born
Louis Chevrolet, namesake to Chevrolet Motor Car Company, was born on this day in 1878 in Switzerland. After immigrating to Paris as a child he became fascinated with bicycle racing and mechanics. He spent his early adulthood working in various mechanics shops before moving to Canada and then New
December 24, 1961 – The birth of the Split Window Corvette
Automobile designer Bill Mitchell received quite the Christmas gift from General Motors on this day in 1961 when two of his designs were selected for production. His sketches for the 1963 Buick Riviera and the split-window 1963 Chevrolet Corvette would become a reality. The latter, of course, would become
December 23, 1923 – A Rolls-Royce for the president
Having a birthday during the holiday season can be difficult for people who fear their special day will be forgotten. Well, nobody forgot former US President Woodrow Wilson on this day in 1923 when he was presented with a Springfield Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Oxford Touring Car for his
December 22, 1978 – The last true Chevy Nova
Introduced for 1962, the Chevy II hit the market to compete with the Ford Falcon. The vehicle’s designers used the Falcon as a blueprint for nearly every aspect of the car. They even engineered it to be a wagon, 2-door, 4-door or convertible, just like the competition at FMC.
December 21, 1945 – General Patton dies following car accident
On December 8, 1945, revered U.S. General George S. Patton, received an invitation from his chief of staff, Major General Hobart Gay, to go pheasant hunting off-base, near his German post. Patton, riding next to his preferred chauffeur, Private H.L. Woodring, saw the dog belonging to their hunting advisor
December 20, 2019 – Roger & Me Debuts
Amid record profits in the 1980s, a series of decisions approved by General Motors CEO Roger Smith led to the closing of several GM plants in Flint, Michigan. Smith intended to take advantage of cheap labor in Mexico. Michael Moore documented the shuttering of the plants, starting in 1986,
