This Day

April 20, 1927 – Race car driver Phil Hill is born

Hill driving a Ferrari 250 TR at the 12 hours of Sebring in 1958. By C5813 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Phil Hill, born on this day in 1927, was an American racing driver who competed in Formula One, sports car racing, and various other racing disciplines during the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958 and the Formula One World Championship in 1961. Hill began racing in California in the early 1950s and quickly established himself as a talented driver. He caught the attention of Ferrari, who signed him to their team in 1956. Hill’s first major victory came at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1958, where he and co-driver Olivier Gendebien drove a Ferrari 250 TR to victory.

Later that same year, Hill achieved his greatest triumph by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Gendebien and their Ferrari teammates. The victory was the first for an American team and driver at the famous endurance race. In 1961, Hill won the Formula One World Championship driving for Ferrari. He won three races that season, including the Italian Grand Prix, and finished ahead of his teammate Wolfgang von Trips, who tragically died in a crash at the final race of the season.

Phil Hill driving a Ferrari at the 1962 German Grand Prix. By Lothar Spurzem CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Hill continued racing in various series throughout the 1960s, including the Can-Am and Trans-Am championships. He retired from professional racing in 1967 but remained involved in the sport as a commentator and consultant. Phil Hill was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1992. He died in 2008 at the age of 81.

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

October 31, 1957 – The Chevrolet Impala is announced

After debuting an Impala show car at the 1956 GM Motorama, Chevrolet used the name…

5 days ago

October 30, 1911 – Little Motor Car Company is founded, later becomes part of Chevrolet

The Little Motor Car Company, founded on October 30, 1911, in Flint, Michigan, is a…

5 days ago

October 29, 1932 – Safarikar builder Bruce Mohs is born

Bruce Mohs with his Opera Sedan following its restoration. (autobild.de) Perhaps you've heard of the…

1 week ago

October 28, 1977 – Tokyo Motor Show opens

First generation Daihatsu Charade. By Charles01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 The annual Tokyo…

1 week ago

October 27, 1937 – Second generation Cadillac V-16 is introduced

1940 Cadillac V16 90 Town Car To build the ultimate automobile, Cadillac began development of…

1 week ago

October 26, 1966 – Toyota introduces what will become the best selling car ever, the Toyota Corolla

1966 Toyota Corolla debut (Toyota) The Toyota Corolla, one of the most iconic and enduring…

1 week ago