1922 – Racing Pioneer Dorothy Levitt Dies
Long before women were widely accepted in motorsports, Dorothy Levitt was already breaking speed records and challenging expectations behind the wheel. Often considered one of the world’s first female race car drivers, Levitt competed throughout the early 1900s and became a vocal advocate for women embracing the freedom of the automobile. She famously encouraged female drivers to carry a hand mirror while driving so they could see traffic approaching from behind—essentially predicting the modern rearview mirror decades before it became standard equipment. Levitt died on this day in 1922 at just 40 years old, but her legacy as a pioneer in both racing and motoring culture remains significant.
1925 – GM Cofounder Josiah Dort Dies
The rise of Detroit as the center of the American automobile industry was built by dozens of ambitious businessmen, many of whom are now largely forgotten. Among them was Josiah Dort, an early automotive entrepreneur and one of the figures connected to the formation of General Motors. Dort originally built his fortune in the carriage industry before partnering with William Durant during the chaotic early years of the automobile boom. He passed away on this day in 1925, leaving behind a legacy tied directly to the foundations of one of the largest automakers in history.
1934 – Gordon Buehrig Patents Design of the Future Cord 810
Few American cars have ever looked as futuristic as the Cord 810. Designed by legendary automotive stylist Gordon Buehrig, the car featured hidden headlights, front-wheel drive, dramatic streamlined fenders, and a distinctive “coffin nose” front end that seemed years ahead of the rest of the industry. Buehrig filed the design patent on this day in 1934, setting the stage for what would become one of the most influential automotive designs of the prewar era. Even today, the Cord 810 remains a rolling example of how bold styling can completely redefine public expectations for what a car should look like.
1994 – Al Unser Sr. Retires From Racing
For decades, the name Al Unser Sr. was nearly synonymous with the Indianapolis 500. Known for his smooth driving style and remarkable consistency, Unser became one of only a handful of drivers to win the Indy 500 four times during a legendary career that helped define American open-wheel racing. When he announced his retirement on this day in 1994, it marked the end of an era not only for IndyCar, but also for one of motorsports’ greatest racing families.
2007 – Andy Warhol’s “Green Car Crash” Sells for $71.7 Million
Few artists captured America’s fascination with spectacle quite like Andy Warhol. On this day in 2007, his painting Green Car Crash sold for an astonishing $71.7 million at auction, setting a record for a Warhol piece at the time. The artwork, part of his “Death and Disaster” series, was based on disturbing press photos of a car being chased by Seattle police before crashing violently. Warhol understood something deeply tied to car culture and media alike: people are often unable to look away from destruction. More than just a painting about a wrecked automobile, Green Car Crash became a commentary on danger, celebrity, violence, and America’s uneasy relationship with the automobile itself.
