1897 – London Taxi Driver Fined in Britain’s First Known Drunk‑Driving Conviction
A London taxi driver named George Smith walked into Marlborough Street Police Court on 10 September 1897 after driving his cab into the front of a Bond Street building and admitting to drinking. The 25‑year‑old was charged and fined that day, and later accounts cite the incident as Britain’s first recorded drunk‑driving conviction. Contemporary press and museum histories single out the crash location and Smith’s admission as the decisive facts; the case stands out because it involved an early urban motor vehicle—a horse‑replacing taxi—colliding with a prominent West End frontage. The fine that followed is notable as one of the earliest legal responses to motor‑vehicle impairment in Britain.
1950 – A New Diesel Speed Record
Jimmy Jackson drove his #61 Cummins Diesel Special to a new diesel land speed record of 165.23 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on this day in 1950. Nicknamed the Green Hornet by Jackson, the car had a 401ci (6.6L) six-cylinder Cummins JBS 600 truck engine. It was outfitted with supercharger mounted in front of the engine that was coupled directly to the crankshaft. Jackson ran the same car in the 1950 Indianapolis 500, but was forced to drop out after 50 laps due to mechanical issues. Like diesel? Check out this story about the first diesel road trip.
1955 – Road America Opens with Its First SCCA National Race Weekend
The permanent 4.048‑mile circuit at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, opened its gates for the first SCCA national race weekend on 10 September 1955, with that Friday serving as the inaugural day of on‑track activity. Drivers, clubs, and local volunteers converged to run practice and the first races across a brand‑new layout that would soon be known for long straights and sweeping corners; accounts recall crews finishing last‑minute work on the track facilities the morning the paddock came alive. Road America’s September 10 debut set the pattern for a venue that emphasized high speeds, spectator sightlines, and club‑sanctioned national competition.
1970 – Chevrolet Rolls Out the Vega to Dealerships
Dealers opened their showrooms to the Chevrolet Vega on 10 September 1970, introducing the compact 2300‑cc model year 1971 car to American buyers. Contemporary newspaper ads and dealer announcements marked the launch date, while GM’s heritage files list the Vega among the company’s significant small‑car efforts for the era. The Vega was presented as Chevrolet’s contender in the growing compact segment, notable for its all‑aluminium engine block option and nimble dimensions; its arrival on showroom floors that September made the Vega an immediate presence in Chevrolet lineups and small‑car competition.
2021 – Porsche’s Sportscar Together Festival Kicks Off at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Porsche Cars North America opened its first Sportscar Together Festival at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on 10 September 2021, launching a three‑day celebration that combined on‑track Porsche Carrera Cup competition with marque gatherings like Luftgekühlt and factory displays. IMSA’s schedule listed Friday the 10th as the festival’s opening day for practice sessions and fan programming, and press materials emphasized Porsche’s effort to bring race cars, historic examples, and owners together at the Brickyard. The Indianapolis weekend blended competitive Porsche racing with enthusiast culture, creating a concentrated showcase of air‑ and water‑cooled models alongside modern factory race entries.
