Stories
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September 21, 1959 – Plymouth Valiant starts rolling off the line
It could have been the Falcon, given its code name during development, but Henry Ford II called dips on the bird. So, Chrysler settled…
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September 20, 1979 – Lee Iacocca elected chairman of Chrysler
Industry giant Lido “Lee” Anthony Iacocca was elected chairman of Chrysler on this day in 1979, 10 months after joining the company as president.…
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September 19, 1909 – Ferry Porsche is born
Ferdinand Anton Ernst “Ferry” Porsche, born on September 19, 1909, in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, was an automotive engineer and entrepreneur who played a pivotal…
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September 18, 1955 – The 2 millionth Ford V8 engine is produced
On this day in 1955 Ford produced its 2 millionth Flathead V8 engine, 23 years after its introduction in the 1932 Model 18. The…
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September 17, 1909 – GM executive Ed Cole is born
On this day in 1909, General Motors executive Ed Cole was born in Marne, Michigan. The son of a dairy farmer, Cole spent his…
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September 16, 1908 – The birth of General Motors
Buick Motor Car company owner William C. Durant leveraged an engine supply deal with McLaughlin Motor Car Company of Canada to found General Motors…
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![September 15, 1981 – The John Bull becomes oldest operating locomotive [video]](https://automotivehistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-23.png)
September 15, 1981 – The John Bull becomes oldest operating locomotive [video]
On September 15, 1981, history was made as the John Bull locomotive completed a historic run, solidifying its status as the oldest operable steam…
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September 14, 2021 – Toyota GR 86 named pace car for NASA (it’s not what you think)
On September 14, 2021, Toyota announced that the all-new 2022 GR 86 would take on pace car duties at the National Auto Sport Association…
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September 13, 1899 – First pedestrian killed by a car in the USA
On this day in 1899, as Henry Bliss exited a streetcar at West 74th Street and Central Park West in New York City an…
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September 12, 1988 – Legendary auto designer Bill Mitchell passes away
In the world of automotive design, few names resonate as powerfully as that of Bill Mitchell. A visionary designer and a true artist, Mitchell…
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September 11, 1987 – BMW Z1 introduced
The first of the BMW Z car coupes debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show on this day in 1987. Development of the BMW Z1…
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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…