This Month in Automotive History

September 1

1950 First Porsche
A new chapter in Porsche history began today, with the company’s return to Zuffenhausen, Germany, and the completion of the first Porsche. The first car to bear the Porsche name had actually been built two years earlier by Ferry Porsche and his design team, but this Porsche was the first car to boast a Porsche-made engine. Porsche became an independent automobile manufacturer during this year and soon sealed its success with a stunning victory at Le Mans in 1951.

1989 Toyota Launches Lexus

The first Lexus was sold on this day, launching Toyota’s new luxury division. However, Lexus’ story had begun six years earlier in a top secret meeting of Toyota’s elite. Surrounded by the company’s top-level management, Chairman Eiji Toyoda proposed the company’s next challenge – a luxury car that could compete with the world’s best. The project was given the code name “F1,” with F for “flagship,” and the numeral 1 recalling the high performance of Formula 1 racecars. Designed by chief engineers Shoiji Jimbo and Ichiro Suzuki, the F1 prototype was completed just two years later. The top secret project was finally unveiled after extensive testing in 1987, and officially launched in 1989.

1989 Air Bags Required

The federal government passed new car safety legislation on this day, requiring all newly manufactured cars to install an air bag on the driver’s side. While air bags have proven to be life-saving devices in most cases, concern over the safety of the air bags themselves arose during the 1990s. Several instances in which small children were seriously injured or killed by an air bag caused a public clamor for further investigation of the devices, which can explode out of the dashboard at up to 200 miles per hour. Air bags are still installed in all newly manufactured models.

September 2

1959 The Mustang’s Little Cousin
The Ford Motor Company introduced its new marque, the Ford Falcon, in the first nationwide closed-circuit television news conference. Originally envisioned as a compact economy car, the Falcon name grew to include everything from sporty convertibles to the Ranchero truck, though all Falcons essentially remained small, fuel-efficient cars. When the Mustang was introduced in 1964, Ford used the Falcon’s unitized chassis, as well as elements of the Falcon drive train, to “re-market” and “re-adapt” the Mustang. The Mustang was an immediate success, leaving the Falcon to exist in the shadow of its more powerful cousin. The Ford Falcon was eventually discontinued in 1971, but the success of the Volkswagen and other compacts just a few years later proved how forward-thinking the original Falcon designers were.

1992 Running on Natural Gas

The Southern California Gas Company purchased the first motor vehicles powered by natural gas on this day. Spurred on by a new California law promoting the commercialization of alternative fuel vehicles, the company put fifty of the new vehicles into service and began promoting the natural gas vehicles (NGVs) as a viable option for the future. Compressed natural gas costs 25-30 percent less than gasoline and has an octane rating of 130 – meaning it burns much cleaner than even premium unleaded gasoline. The NGVs can also go 10,000 miles between oil changes, 40,000 miles between tune-ups, and 75,000 miles between spark plugs. However, the most compelling argument for natural gas is its environmental advantages. NGVs reduce NOx emissions and reactive hydrocarbons by as much as 95 percent. The new vehicles also reduce carbon monoxide by 85 percent and carcinogenic particulate emissions by 99 percent.

September 3

1900 General Motor’s Hometown
The town of Flint, Michigan, began its central role in automotive history on this day, when Charles Wisner introduced the first car built in Flint. The car, designed by Wisner, was a home-built prototype that appeared in the city’s Labor Day parade – the first car of millions that would eventually be manufactured in Flint. The town’s thriving carriage industry at the turn of the century evolved into body, spring, and wheel suppliers for the Buick Motor Company. However, the real turning point came in 1908 when W.C. Durant consolidated Flint’s manufacturers into the General Motors Company. By the 1950s, Flint was second only to Detroit in automobile manufacturing. In recent years, the closing of several GM plants in Flint has brought darker times to the city.

1875 Porsche Born

Ferdinand Porsche, engineer and patriarch of Porsche cars, was born on this day in Maffersdorf, Austria. He began his career at the Daimler Company, rising to general director, but he eventually left in 1931 to design his own sports and racing cars. Perhaps his most famous project was Hitler’s “car for the people,” the Volkswagen. Together with his son, Porsche was responsible for the initial Volkswagen plans, but his involvement with Hitler was to cost him dearly. He was arrested by the French after World War II and held for several years before finally being released.

1939 Racing Mania in Yugoslavia

The first and only Yugoslavian Grand Prix was held today at Kalemagdan Park in Belgrade. Won by Tazio Nuvolari, this race marked yet another victory for the great Italian champion, and was the last Grand Prix event before World War II. Nuvolari’s win was particularly stunning in light of the German domination of Formula 1 racing during the late 1930s, backed by massive funding from the Third Reich.

September 4

1891 The Man Behind the Autobahn
Fritz Todt, the head designer of the German autobahn, was born in Pforzheim, Germany, on this day. Todt’s creation was the first true system of national superhighways, and was held up by Germany as a proud symbol of the modernity of their engineering. However, the autobahn system emerged from World War II as a battered version of its earlier self. The newly formed nations of East and West Germany set about repairing the old system, though at different rates. Booming increases in motor traffic propelled extensions and enhancements in West Germany, while improvements were more gradual in East Germany. Over the years, the autobahn regained its status as a model expressway and became famous for its nonexistent speed limit.

1957 The Edsel Has its Day

The Ford Motor Company proclaimed this day “E-day” in celebration of the Edsel’s introduction, five years after its conception. It would take only three more years for Ford to discontinue the Edsel line. Despite careful market research that indicated consumers wanted more horsepower, tailfins, three-tone paint jobs, and wrap-around windshields, the fickle public had changed its mind by 1957. The Edsel’s low price and V-8 engine simply failed to overcome its “ugly horse-collar grille.” Overwhelmed by negative press and lack of sales, the Edsel faded into history as Ford’s famed “ugly duckling.” Ironically, the low numbers produced have made the Edsel a valuable collector’s item in recent years.

1997 Farewell T-bird

The very last Ford Thunderbird rolled off the assembly line in Lorain, Ohio, leaving many of the car’s fans disappointed. One Ford dealer even held a wake for the beloved Thunderbird, complete with flowers and a RIP plaque. Originally conceived as Ford’s answer to the Corvette, the Thunderbird has enjoyed an illustrious place among American cars. It was promoted as a “personal” car, rather than a sports car, so it never had to compete against the imports that dominated the sports car market. The name of the enormously successful car was eventually shortened to “T-bird,” as mentioned in the famous Beach Boys song, “I Get Around.”

September 5

1930 Let’s Do It Backwards
Cross-country trips were no longer considered big news in 1930, but Charles Creighton and James Hargis’ unique journey managed to make headlines. The two men from Maplewood, New Jersey, arrived back in New York City on this day, having completed a forty-two-day round trip to Los Angeles – driving their 1929 Ford Model A the entire 7,180-mile trip in reverse gear.

1980 At the End of the Tunnel

The St. Gothard Tunnel, the world’s longest highway tunnel, opened on this day. Stretching from Goschenen to Airolo, Switzerland, the tunnel spans 10.14 miles. Although tunnels have existed since ancient times, the development of railroad and automotive transportation led to an enormous expansion in tunnel building – both in the number of tunnels and their length. However, this expansion was only made possible by modern tunneling methods, particularly the use of steel and concrete, as well as the modern mole.

September 6

1900 The Early Promise of Electricity…
Andrew L. Riker set a new speed record on this day, driving an electric car. His time of ten minutes, twenty seconds established a new low for the five-mile track in Newport, Rhode Island, proving that the electric car could compete with its noisier petroleum-fueled cousins. In fact, the electric car remained competitive until 1920, often preferred for its low maintenance cost and quiet engine. However, developments in gasoline engine technology, along with the advent of cheaper, mass-produced non-electrics like the Model T, proved to be the death knell of the electric car. However, rising fuel costs in the late 1960s and 1970s renewed interest in the electric car, and several working models have recently been sold in small numbers.

September 7

1998 Last Day for Roadside America
This day marks the end of the summer season for Roadside America, one of the highway’s shrines to roadside culture. The American landscape is dotted with these marvels – giant ketchup bottles, toaster museums, and beer gardens. However, Roadside America is among the most impressive of these projects. Laurence Gieringer spent almost fifty years assembling this miniature replica of the growth of rural America. Model trains race across tiny tracks, mechanical figures turn and wave, and a recording of Kate Smith singing “God Bless America” fills the air every evening at sunset. The entire structure, located in Shartlesville, Pennsylvania, off of U.S. 22, covers 8,800 square feet and is housed in its own roadside structure.

1899 A Beautiful Spectacle

Over a dozen motorcars, decorated with hydrangeas, streamers, lights, and Japanese lanterns, lined up to take part in America’s first automobile parade. A throng of spectators showed up in Newport, Rhode Island, to witness the event, arriving in cabs, private carriages, bicycles, and even by foot to witness the spectacle, attracted by the novelty and rumors surrounding the event. The nature of the motorcar decorations had been shrouded in mystery prior to the parade, for each participant had wished to surprise and outdo the others.

1993 Salutations from a New Compact

The Chrysler Corporation introduced its new Neon at the Frankfurt Auto Show on this day. The sporty compact indicated a new direction for Chrysler and quickly gained fame through its multi-million dollar “Hi” campaign. The slick ads emphasized friendliness – friendly handling, comfortable seats, reliable safety features – punctuated with a simple “Hi. I’m Neon.”

September 8

1986 A World Wide Marketplace
Continuing its enormous expansion of the 1970s and early 80s, the Nissan Motor Company Ltd. opened its Sunderland, England, plant, the first Japanese automobile factory in Europe. Established in 1933 as the Jidosha Seizo Company, Nissan remained a mid-size automobile manufacturer until it entered the world market in the 1960s, when its sales grew by leaps and bounds. Nissan, as well as several other Japanese manufacturers, continued to grow through the next decade, propelled by the increasing popularity of their fuel-efficient cars. Nissan eventually opened plants in Australia, Peru, Mexico, the United States, and Germany.

1953 Waiting For the Bus

Continental Trailways offered the first transcontinental express bus service in the U.S. The 3,154-mile ride from New York City to San Francisco lasted eighty-eight hours and fifty minutes, of which only seventy-seven minutes was riding time. The cost? $56.70. Today, Greyhound will make the trip for $131.

1960 Go, Speedracer, Go!

Aguri Suzuki, Japanese racing phenomenon, was born on this day. As a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, he is one of the most successful Japanese race car drivers in history, a favorite of fans around the world. He began his winning career in the Japanese Kart Championship, but eventually moved on to Formula 1 racing. He is married with one son and enjoys ultra-light flying, golf, and water sports.

September 9

1966 No Longer Unsafe at Any Speed?
In response to the national uproar over automobile safety prompted by Ralph Nader’s book Unsafe at Any Speed, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was signed into law on this day. Nader’s book targeted the American automobile industry’s neglect of safety issues, using GM’s dangerous Corvair model as a focus for his criticism. Congress responded to the nation’s concern by passing a new bill, which established federal safety standards with strict penalties for violations. At the signing of the bill, President Johnson assured Nader and a crowd of several hundred that safety was “no luxury item, no optional extra.”

1901 Going the Extra Mile

The first long-distance car race began in New York City on this day, ending five days and 464 miles later in Buffalo, New York. However, in these early days of automobile racing, the determining factor was not speed or endurance, but reliability. David Bishop’s winning Panhard only averaged a speed of 15 miles per hour, but it managed to make the entire journey without breaking down – a remarkable feat.

1982 Retirement of the Ford Dynasty

When Henry Ford II, grandson and namesake of Henry Ford, succeeded his father as president of the Ford Motor Company in 1945, the firm, still recovering from the unexpected death of its president Edsel Ford, was losing money at the rate of several million dollars a month. The automotive giant was crumbling. Fortunately for the company, Henry Ford II turned out to be a genius of industrial management. He quickly set about reorganizing and modernizing the company, firing the powerful personnel chief Harry Bennett, whose strong-arm tactics and anti-union stance had made Ford notorious for its bad labor relations. He also brought in new talent, including a group of former U.S. Air Force intelligence officers, among them Robert McNamara, who quickly became known as the “Whiz Kids.” During his tenure as president, Henry Ford II nursed the Ford Motor Company back to health, greatly expanding its international operations and introducing two classic models, the Mustang and the Thunderbird. Still, even an industrial management genius could grow tired of a president’s demanding schedule. On this day, Henry Ford II retired once and for all, swearing off all involvement with the Ford Motor Company.

September 10

1897 First DWI
Even without breathalyzers and line tests, George Smith’s swerving was enough to alarm British police and make him the first person arrested for drunken driving. Unfortunately, Smith’s arrest did nothing to discourage the many other drunk drivers who have taken to the road since. Although drunk driving is illegal in most countries, punished by heavy fines and mandatory jail sentences, it continues to be one of the leading causes of automobile accidents throughout the world. Alcohol-related automobile accidents are responsible for approximately one-third of the traffic fatalities in the United States – 16,000 deaths each year, and also account for over half a million injuries and $1 billion of property damage annually.

1921 The German Highway

The Ayus Autobahn, the world’s first controlled-access highway and part of Germany’s Bundesautobahn system, opened near Berlin on this day. Once regarded as a symbol of modernity and a model of German engineering, the autobahn system was nearly destroyed during World War II. At the start of the postwar era, the newly formed nations of East and West Germany set about repairing the superhighway network. The system was greatly extended and improved in West Germany, which had a higher growth rate of motor traffic than its eastern neighbor, although repairs and extensions were also made to the system in East Germany. Over the years, the autobahn has regained its status as a model expressway, famed for its nonexistent speed limit.

1942 The War and the Gas Pump

Following the example of several European nations, President Franklin D. Roosevelt mandated gasoline rationing in the U.S. as part of the country’s wartime efforts. Gasoline rationing was just one of the many measures taken during these years, as the entire nation was transformed into a unified war machine: women took to the factories, households tried to conserve energy, and American automobile manufacturers began producing tanks and planes. The gasoline ration was lifted in 1945, at the end of World War II.

September 11

1970 The Pinto Cost-Benefit Analysis
The Ford Pinto was introduced on this day at a cost of less than $2,000, designed to compete with an influx of compact imports. But it was not the Pinto’s low cost that grabbed headlines. Ford’s new best-selling compact contained a fatal design flaw: because of the placement of the gas tank, the tank was likely to rupture and explode when the car was involved in a rear end collision of over 20 mph. In addition, it was eventually revealed that Ford knew about the design flaw before the Pinto was released. An internal cost-benefit analysis prepared by Ford calculated that it would take $11 per car to correct the flaw at a total cost of $137 million for the company. When compared to the lowly estimate of $49.5 million in potential lawsuits from the mistake, the report deemed it “inefficient” to go ahead with the correction. The infamous report assigned a value of $200,000 for each death predicted to result from the flaw. Ford’s irresponsibility caused a public uproar, and it 1978, a California jury awarded a record-breaking $128 million to a claimant in the Ford Pinto case.

1903 The Milwaukee Mile Opens

The oldest major speedway in the world, the Milwaukee Mile, opened today as a permanent fixture in the Wisconsin State Fair Park. The circuit had actually been around since the 1870s as a horseracing track, but the proliferation of the automobile brought a new era to the Milwaukee Mile. However, the horses stuck around until 1954, sharing the track with the automobiles until the mile oval was finally paved. At one point, the horses and autos also had to make room for professional football. The Green Bay Packers played in the track’s infield for almost ten years during the 1930s, winning the National Football League Championship there in 1939.

1918 Packard Leads the War on the Homefront

Often called the “war of the machines,” World War I marked the beginning of a new kind of warfare, fought with steel and shrapnel. Automotive manufacturers led the way in this new technology of war, producing engines for planes, building tanks, and manufacturing military vehicles. Packard was at the forefront of these efforts, being among the first American companies to completely cease civilian car production. Packard had already been the largest producer of trucks for the Allies, but the company began devoting all of its facilities to war production on this day, just a few months before the end of the war. Even after Packard resumed production of civilian vehicles, its wartime engines appeared in a number of vehicles, from racing cars and boats to British tanks in the next world war.

September 12

1918 Cannonball’s Run
“Cannonball” Baker, born Erwin G. Baker, discovered his special talent soon after buying his first motorcycle -- he was capable of exceptional stamina and endurance on the road. His lean frame sat naturally atop his Indian V-twin, and his toughened stance and leather riding trousers seemed to announce to the world that he was ready to outride all challengers. Made a celebrity by his 3,379-mile cross-country motorcycle trek, “Cannonball” became a symbol of the American motorcycle rider, synonymous with wild cross-country journeys. His fame led to other tours and promotional trips, and he completed his most extensive tour on this day – a 17,000 mile, seventy-seven-day trip to all forty-eight state capitals – yet another testament to his legendary endurance.

1912 Lincoln’s Coast-to-Coast Memorial

They called it the Coast-to-Coast Rock Highway – three thousand and some miles of graveled road that would stretch from New York to San Francisco. Carl G. Fisher and James A. Allison announced their vision to the world on this day, a plan for America’s first transcontinental highway. The new highway was to be finished in time for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco at a cost of a mere ten million dollars, collected from private sources. However, Fisher and Allison’s plan began to go awry when they failed to win Henry Ford’s support for the project, putting their fundraising efforts in jeopardy. Henry Joy, president of Packard and a supporter of the highway project, came up with the idea of naming the road after Abraham Lincoln – an idea that would garner $1.7 million in federal funds for the project. The highway was eventually completed as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln, paved in concrete rather than gravel, and christened the Lincoln Highway. It was to become an American icon, the predecessor to Route 66.

1988 The Minivan Cometh

Ford and Nissan announced plans to design and build a new minivan together in the hope of cashing in on an expanding market. The announcement came during the heyday of the minivan craze, when Dodge Caravans dotted the highways and station wagons became a thing of the past. Instantly popular, the spacious minivan replaced the wagon as the family car of choice, putting the old wood-paneled Country Squires to shame. But with the rise of the sport utility vehicle in the 90s, the minivan also began to fade.

September 13

1899 Danger on the Roads
The first recorded fatality from an automobile accident occurred on this day, after an oncoming vehicle fatally struck Henry Bliss on the streets of New York. Bliss, a 68-year-old real estate broker, was debarking from a southbound streetcar at the corner of Central Park West and 74th Street when driver Arthur Smith ran him over. Smith was arrested and held on $1,000 bail while Henry Bliss was taken to Roosevelt hospital, where he died.

1916 Selling the Super Six

The Hudson Motor Car Company’s first engine, the “Super Six,” was an astounding success. It was the auto industry’s first balanced, high-compression L-head motor, and it became so popular that the name “Super Six” became the unofficial brand name of Hudson. Initially, Hudson launched a series of publicity stunts to promote its new engine, including a “Twice Across America” run from San Francisco to New York and back, which began on this day.

1977 Diesel Debut

General Motors introduced the first diesel automobiles in America on this day, the Oldsmobile 88 and 98 models. A major selling point of the two models was their fuel efficiency, which GM claimed to be 40% better than gasoline-powered cars. By compressing air, rather than an air-fuel mixture, the diesel engine achieves higher compression ratios, and consequently higher theoretical cycle efficiencies. In addition, the idling and reduced power efficiency of the diesel engine is much greater than that of its spark engine cousin. However, the diesel engine’s greater efficiency is balanced by its higher emission of soot, odor, and air pollutants.

September 14

1960 Creation of OPEC
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries was founded on this day at the Baghdad Conference of 1960, established by five core members: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. Originally made up of just these five, OPEC began as an attempt to organize and unify petroleum policies, securing stable prices for the petroleum producers. The organization grew considerably after its creation, adding eight other members and developing into one of the most influential groups in the world. The first real indication of OPEC’s power came with the 1973 oil embargo, during which long lines and soaring gasoline prices quickly convinced Americans of the reach of OPEC’s influence. OPEC’s member countries currently supply more than forty percent of the world’s oil.

September 15

1909 The Imaginary Patent
George Selden is rarely mentioned in accounts of automobile history, often lost among names like Ford, Daimler, and Cugnot. However, Selden reigned as the “Father of the Automobile” for almost twenty years, his name engraved on every car from 1895 until 1911. He held the patent on the “Road Engine,” which was effectively a patent on the automobile – a claim that went unchallenged for years, despite the many other inventors who had contributed to the development of the automobile and the internal combustion engine. Almost all of the early car manufacturers, unwilling to face the threat of a lawsuit, were forced to buy licenses from Selden, so almost every car on the road sported a small brass plaque reading “Manufactured under Selden Patent.” Henry Ford was the only manufacturer willing to challenge Selden in court, and on this day a New York judged ruled that Ford had indeed infringed on Selden’s patent. This decision was later overturned when it became plain that Selden had never intended to actually manufacture his “road engine.” Selden’s own “road engine” prototype, built in the hope of strengthening his case, only managed to stagger along for a few hours before breaking down.

1909 Kettering’s Career Ignites

Charles F. Kettering of Detroit, Michigan, applied for a patent on his ignition system on this day. But the ignition system was only the first of Kettering’s many automobile improvements, a distinguished list that includes lighting systems, lacquer finishes, antilock fuels, leaded gasoline, and the electric starter. His company Delco (Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company) was a leader in automotive technology and later became a subsidiary of General Motors. Kettering himself served as vice president and director of research for GM from 1920 to 1947.

1993 New Dangers on the Road

In response to a wave of carjackings, FBI Director William S. Sessions promised a new national campaign to stem carjacking and other car-related crimes. The relatively new crime of carjacking, classified as everything from armed robbery to vandalism, had been on the rise since the late 1980s. Approximately 35,000 carjackings occurred in 1992, a year prior to the FBI announcement, and although those carjackings accounted for only two percent of the total vehicle thefts, their possibility remained ever present in the public consciousness. Perhaps one reason that Americans found this new crime so alarming was that seventy-seven percent of carjackers carried a weapon, usually a handgun.

September 16

1908 Birth of a Giant
William C. Durant founded the General Motors Corporation on this day, consolidating several motor car companies, including Buick, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac, to form this Goliath of the automotive industry. GM's success was assured in 1912 when Cadillac introduced the electric self-starter, quickly making the hand crank obsolete and propelling sales. Throughout the next few years, the company continued to grow, buying out Chevrolet, Delco, the Fisher Body Company, and Frigidaire. In 1929, GM surpassed Ford to become the leading American passenger-car manufacturer, and by 1941, the company was the largest automotive manufacturer in the world. But the 1970s and 1980s brought darker times, and the company suffered under severe competition from imports. GM responded with attempts at modernization, but its efforts have yielded mixed results thus far; the company was forced to close a large number of plants in the U.S. during the early 1990s after several years of heavy losses.

1903 Royce's Engine

Frederick Henry Royce, of Rolls-Royce Ltd., successfully tested his first gasoline engine on this day. The two-cylinder, 10 hp engine was one of three experimental cars designed by Royce during the automobile's early years, when gasoline-powered engines competed on equal footing with electric and steam engines. In fact, Royce's first company, Royce Ltd., built electric motors.

1997 America's Air

America's love affair with the automobile has influenced everything from the designs of our cities to the subjects of our songs. Unfortunately, our automobile-dependent society has also resulted in higher fossil-fuel consumption, smog-filled cities, and other environmental problems. The U.S. government has taken steps to reduce these effects, including a new ozone standard put into effect on this day. The new regulation tightened the standard on the amount of ozone permitted in the air, setting the cap at .08 parts per million. As automobiles are the primary source of emissions that help form ozone, surpassing even industrial sources, consumers are directly effected by the new standard. Cities that do not meet national standards face strict penalties, including mandatory vehicle inspection and costly retrofitting of pumps at gas stations, all of which translate to higher gas prices.

September 17

1932 The Need for Speed
Sir Malcolm Campbell set yet another speed record on this day, reaching 76.27 mph over a half mile - a record that still stands. His thirst for speed developed early in life, and he won three gold medals in the London-Edinburgh motorcycle trials as a young man, before developing an interest in airplanes. Campbell later became intrigued by automobile racing, gaining fame through his thirty-year-domination of the land speed trials. He set six new land speed records in various types of vehicles, all christened Blue Bird by Campbell. After he broke the 300 mph barrier at age fifty, he turned to boat racing and broke several water speed records. Campbell's racing magic proved to be genetic; his son, Donald, was the first person to set land and water speed records in the same year.

1903 Scenic Detours

At a time when driving across country was akin to climbing Mt. Everest, Lester L. Whitman and Eugene I. Hammond completed their coast-to-coast expedition on this day to national acclaim. Whitman and Hammond's journey, the third trans-U.S. automobile trip in history, contained a small detour, however. The two drivers decided to include a side trip from Windsor to Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, in order to dub their trek "international."

1986 Turbo Power

In 1985, a car that had evolved from a first-class chassis was introduced in the form of the Bentley Turbo R. Superior suspension for road handling, firmer shock absorbers, and crisper steering were meant to entice sporting motorists - just in case the Turbo R's top speeds were not enough. Still, Bentley's turbo-charged model needed nothing but speed on this day, breaking sixteen records for speed and endurance at the Millbrook, Bedfordshire, high-speed circuit in England.

September 18

1964 Goodbye to the Mother Road
Since its conception in 1926, Route 66 has permeated every aspect of American culture, from literature to gas station architecture. One of its most beloved manifestations, the TV show Route 66, rode into the sunset on this day, bringing an end to the roadside adventures of Buz and Tod in Tod's Corvette. But it also brought an end to an era. Immortalized in Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath as the "Mother Road," Route 66 was a symbol of opportunity, serving as an escape route from the misery of the Depression-era Dust Bowl. Its two lanes wove in and out of Middle America, connecting hundreds of rural communities to the great cities of Chicago and Los Angeles. And above all, it symbolized the open road and Americana, complete with autocamps, motels, and roadside attractions. By 1970, nearly all segments of the original Route 66 were replaced by a modern four-lane highway, and the revived Route 66 TV show of 1993 lasted less than a season. America's love affair with the "Mother Road" had come to an end.

1904 Over the Mountains

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Glidden completed the first crossing of the Canadian Rockies by automobile on this day, arriving exhausted from their 3,536-mile trip. The couple had driven from Boston, Massachusetts, to Vancouver, Canada, in their 24 hp Napier.

1955 Gotta Have My V-8

The Ford Motor Company produced its 2,000,000th V-8 engine on this day, twenty-three years after the first Ford V-8 was manufactured. The popularity of the V-8 engine began in the late 1940s, when the engines of the time failed to satisfy the industry trend toward increased horsepower, experiencing vibration and size problems at the high pressures that accompany high horsepower. Engineers began developing a stiff, V-shaped configuration to combat the new problems, and the V-8 became the preferred choice for auto manufacturers. Trends began to reverse somewhat during the late 1960s with the advent of smaller cars, and four and six cylinder engines began to gain on the popularity of the V-8.

September 19

1887 Birth of a Ratings Man
Dr. Graham Edgar, developer of the octane rating system, was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on this day. Although he may not be a household name, evidence of Edgar's work lines every highway in America. His rating system measures a fuel's ability to resist any form of abnormal combustion, in other words, its ability to burn cleanly. Eighty-eight and ninety are the normal ratings for everyday unleaded gasoline, while racing gasoline will often have a rating as high as one hundred and fifteen. Almost every gas pump in America sports an octane rating sticker.

1919 Beuck and Buick

Wary of the unpopularity of "German-sounding" names after World War I, August Beuck began using the name Buick rather than Beuck for the first time when he christened the new post office in his Colorado hometown. The new name of the GM marquee seemed assuredly all-American in a time when anti-German feelings dominated the nation. The wave of intolerance had begun with the United States entrance into World War I, resulting in many a Schmidt becoming a Smith. Throughout the country, hundreds of German newspapers and publications were forced to shut down, and German language instruction came to an end in most states.

1932 24-Hour Racing

The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah have been the site of dozens of world speed records, but Ab Jenkins set a new kind of record in Bonneville today. Jenkins completed the first 24-hour solo run, driving 2,710 miles nonstop in a single day. His stock Pierce Arrow V-12 averaged 112.94 miles per hour.

September 20

1945 War Production Halts
Automotive manufacturers had been at the heart of a seamless war machine during World War II, producing trucks, tanks, and planes at astounding rates. But only after the last shots were fired did auto factories begin to produce cars again, focusing their sights on the booming postwar market. A month after the surrender of Japan, Packard followed the lead of every other company and ceased military production, turning out its last wartime Rolls-Royce Merlin engine on this day.

1979 The Chrysler Comeback Kid

After being fired from the Ford presidency, Lee Iacocca was elected Chairman of the failing Chrysler Corporation. Despite dire predictions from his critics, Iacocca succeeded in rebuilding Chrysler through layoffs, cutbacks, hard-selling advertising, and a government loan guarantee. He became the epitome of the "can-do" executive, famous for his strong work ethic and no nonsense style. During Chrysler's crisis years, Iacocca reduced his salary to $1 per year to set an example for the rest of the company, explaining that everyone must be willing to sacrifice a little in order for Chrysler to survive. By 1983, Chrysler had moved from the verge of bankruptcy to a competitive force in the automobile market, paying back all of its government loans in less than four years. "We at Chrysler borrow money the old fashioned way. We pay it back," said Iacocca. His autobiography Iacocca became a bestseller in 1984, breaking all records for a business book.

September 21

1945 The Ford Dynasty
Henry Ford II, grandson and namesake of Henry Ford, succeeded his father as president of the Ford Motor Company on this day, inheriting a company that was losing money at the rate of several million dollars a month. After recovering from the shock of his father's unexpected death, Henry Ford II was effectively given a crash course in management, but fortunately for the company, he turned out to have the magic touch. He quickly set about reorganizing and modernizing the Ford Motor Company, firing the powerful personnel chief Harry Bennett, whose strong-arm tactics and anti-union stance had made Ford notorious for its bad labor relations. He also brought in new talent, including a group of former U.S. Air Force intelligence officers, among them Robert McNamara, who became known as the "Whiz Kids." During his tenure as president, Henry Ford II nursed the Ford Motor Company back to health, greatly expanding its international operations and introducing two classic models, the Mustang and the Thunderbird.

1947 The Grand Prix Returns

Driving his Talbot-Lago across the finish line in Lyon-Parilly, Louis Chrion emerged victorious at the French Grand Prix of 1947. The race was a continuation of the Grand Prix's long history and France's first major post-World War II race. The event had been suspended for several years during the war, along with almost all other car racing. In a side note, the Albert Lory designed CTA-Arsenal made a disgraceful debut at the Grand Prix that year, and was never raced again.

1959 A Car with No Name

The first Plymouth Valiant was produced on this day at a plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, although it was not known by that name until 1961. Originally code named "Falcon" after the 1955 Chrysler Falcon, plans for the new model went awry when the Chrysler marketing team found out at the last minute that Ford had already registered the name "Falcon" for its compact car. The news resulted in a wild scramble, for the logo castings had already been made and marketing plans finalized. A company-wide contest was held for a new name, and "Valiant" emerged the winner. However, there was no time to make new logo castings, so the car was simply introduced as the Valiant, featuring only a mylar sticker on the engine for identification. It wasn't until 1961 that the Valiant became the Plymouth Valiant, new logo castings and all.

September 22

1893 America's First Automobile
America's first automobile was not built by a Henry Ford or Walter Chrysler, but by Charles and Frank Duryea, two bicycle makers. Charles spotted a gasoline engine at the 1886 Ohio State Fair and became convinced that an engine-driven carriage could be built. The two brothers designed and built the car together, working in a rented loft in Springfield, Massachusetts. After two years of tinkering, Charles and Frank Duryea showed off their home invention on the streets of Springfield, the first successful run of an automobile in the U.S.

1953 Highway Madness in L.A.

Los Angeles is widely known for its traffic and smog, miles of freeway stretching in every direction - the ultimate automobile city. Indeed, its highway system is one of the most extensive in the nation, famous for its crisscrossing interchanges. The first of these interchanges, the world's first four-level interchange structure, was opened on this day. The massive concrete structure connected the freeways of Hollywood, Harbor, Santa Ana, and Arroyo Seco.

1989 Buying and Selling

In a move that sent ripples throughout the automotive world, the Chrysler Corporation sold 50% of its interest in the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. The decision came at a time when most other American automobile manufacturers, including Chrysler's top rivals Ford and GM, were eagerly buying up shares of Japanese automobile stock and strengthening ties with Japanese manufacturers. Chrysler claimed that it was taking advantage of a bullish Japanese market at a potential gain of $310 million, but industry pundits speculated that the motive went much deeper. Chrysler's audacious move likely stemmed from disagreements between the two companies over Mitsubishi's U.S. sales and distribution. In many cases, Mitsubishi-made products were being sold under the Chrysler name, often in direct competition with the Mitsubishi marquee.

September 23

1939 The Irish Hillclimbing Tradition
A.P. MacArthur pulled across the finish line in Ballinascorney, Ireland, on this day, winning the last Irish hillclimb before World War II. Hillclimbing events usually took place on a public road, and they became wildly popular in Great Britain and Ireland during the early days of the automobile. Cars of all shapes and sizes would race up a hill, with drivers gunning their engines and showing off the prowess of their new motor car. Cheered on by a crowd of onlookers, the fastest car up the hill won. World War II brought an end to hillclimbs and car racing in general, as manufacturers funneled their efforts into military production. However, hillclimbing returned after the war, more popular than ever.

1897 Death Calls on the Automobilist

Nine-year-old Stephen Kempton died on this day, becoming the first recorded traffic fatality in Great Britain. Kempton had been trying to steal a ride from a taxi by hanging on to a spring, but lost his grip and was trapped underneath the wheel of the vehicle. The tragedy occurred on Stockmar Road near Hackney, a full two years before America's first traffic fatality.

1972 Demise of the Crystal Palace

The famous Crystal Palace racing circuit in London, England, was closed by the Greater London Council on this day, ending a forty-five year racing tradition. The closing had been announced a few weeks before the beginning of the 1972 season, prompted by noise complaints and safety concerns. During its long history, the Crystal Palace circuit had hosted everything from the first televised auto race to a few demonstration laps by Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

September 24

September 25

1987 Tribute to a Racer
Ray Harroun's place in history was sealed when the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp featuring the famous racing champion. Called "Racing Car 1911," the stamp depicted Harroun and the Marmon Wasp which he drove to victory in the first Indy 500. Harroun, an engineer, had built the car himself and was the only driver on the Indianapolis track without a riding mechanic. The mechanics usually accompanied the driver in order to warn him of the other cars in the race, but Harroun went the race alone after he rigged up a device that allowed him to see the cars behind him - the first rearview mirror. The race took over six hours to complete, with Harroun coming from 28th place to finish first.

1725 Birth of a Steam Pioneer

Nicolas Joseph Cugnot, the French engineer who designed and built the world's first automobile, was born in Austrian Lorraine on this day. Cugnot arrived in Paris after the Seven Years' War with the hope of tinkering with several inventions he had conceived during the war, including a steam-driven vehicle. After six years, Cugnot succeeded in building two steam-propelled tractors - which were actually huge and heavy tricycles. Although they may not have had power steering or cruise control, these massive tricycles are considered the world's first automobiles.

1936 A Brush with Fate

Bill Schindler, a racecar driver, met with misfortune on this day, crashing during a sprint race in Mineola, New York. Three days after the accident, Schindler's left leg had to be amputated. However, this loss did not prevent him from continuing his career.

September 26

1910 Losing Control of a Giant
William C. Durant, carriage maker and entrepreneur, was the original patriarch of the corporate behemoth General Motors. But financial difficulties cost him control of the company on this day. Determined to regain control of his brainchild, Durant joined forces with Louis Chevrolet to establish the Chevrolet Motor Company. Five years later, Durant and Chevrolet acquired control of GM and extended the massive umbrella of the General Motors corporation, with Durant serving as president. Yet, he would go on to lose control of GM yet again in 1920, this time permanently.

1920 Ford's Texas Ranger

The Ford Ranger, named after the Texas Ranger, was first announced appropriately in Houston, Texas. Although the Ford truck has changed considerably since the first Ranger model, the name still connotes a rugged, tough image. The Ford Ranger 4x4's are especially popular for off-road driving and other hardy pursuits that an actual Texas Ranger might enjoy.

September 27

1928 A Ford Cornerstone is Laid
The first cornerstone of the Henry Ford Museum was laid today, the first step in establishing one of the most extensive collections of automotive history in the world. Although the museum is named after Henry Ford, its collection extends well beyond the Ford Motor Company. Its holdings include product literature, advertising and promotional materials, thousands of books, and almost 300 cars. The museum also hosts exhibits on everything from agriculture to industry.

1925 Fighting with the Dragon

Construction on the infamous Nurburgring racing circuit, often referred to as a "green hell," began today. The thirteen-mile course through the Eifel forests was considered the most dangerous segment of road on the planet, curving around seventy-two corners and covering a rise and fall of almost a thousand feet. The circuit held a strange spell over many drivers, beckoning the brave to test their skill. The "green hell" proved lethal to many, and was once rumored to average twenty accidents a day. Racer Jochen Rind referred to the Nurburgring as "Fighting with the Dragon." Racing events are no longer officially held on the circuit, but the course is often used by auto manufacturers to test new models

. 1990 International Cooperation?

Renault and Volvo signed an agreement of industrial cooperation on this day, outlining plans for an eventual merger. The merger plans were abandoned three years later, leaving a lot of unanswered questions and speculations. Many industry experts suspect that Volvo backed out of the deal due to their lingering suspicion of the French government. Renault, a state-owned company, was slated for privatization, but critics found the plans too vague and saw the French government as susceptible to pressure from its workers. Economic pundits pointed to Europe's recession and double-digit unemployment. Some merely felt that Volvo, a symbol of Sweden's industrial prowess, was being bargained away too cheaply.

September 28

1978 Rotary Speed
Car & Driver editor Don Sherman set a Class E record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on this day, driving the Mazda RX7, the standard-bearer for the rotary engine in the U.S. market, and reaching 183.904 mph. The RX7's unique rotary engine doesn't have the standard pistons, instead, two rounded "rotors" spin to turn the engine's flywheel. Although the rotary engine was not a new concept, the Mazda RX7 was one of the first to conquer the reliability issues faced by earlier rotary engines. Light and fun to drive, with 105 bhp from its 1.1 liter rotary engine, the RX7 was extremely popular.

1982 UAW-Ford Partnership

Ford took a major step in overcoming its history of poor labor relations on this day, opening the joint UAW (United Auto Workers) and Ford National Development and Training Center. The center, located in Dearborn, Michigan, provides education and training to workers, as well as community programs. Workers can participate in any of six major programs, learning about everything from math skills to pension plans. More importantly, the center also offers relocation assistance and several unemployment programs for laid-off workers. Ford subsidizes the training center with grants and tuition assistance.

1988 Fire Engine, Fire Engine

The Ahrens Fox Model AC fire engine had its fifteen minutes of fame when the U.S. Postal Service featured the 1913 fire engine as part of its transportation series. The Ahrens-Fox Company was one of the most successful fire engine manufacturers in the country, thriving on the competition between volunteer fire companies that developed in the early twentieth century. These rivalries spurred ingenuity and innovation, as well as sales of fancy new fire fighting equipment. The Model AC depicted on the stamp was bought by the town of San Angelo, Texas, for its fire department and featured new technology like the steam pump and chemical tank.

September 29

1888 Mercedes-Benz, U.S.A
Daimler cars managed to make it to New York long before other imports, thanks to William Steinway. Steinway, a car enthusiast, concluded licensing negotiations with Gottlieb Daimler on this day, gaining permission to manufacture Daimler cars in the U.S. He founded the "Daimler Motor Company" and began producing Daimler engines, as well as importing Daimler boats, trucks, and other equipment to the North American market. Still, the U.S. was just a small portion of Daimler's market, and when he introduced a new line in 1901, he christened it Mercedes because he feared the German-sounding Daimler would not sell well in France.

1983 Hall of Fame Addition

Henry Ford II, grandson and namesake of Henry Ford, joined his grandfather today as a member of the Automotive Hall of Fame in Midland, Michigan. When he succeeded his father as president of the Ford Motor Company, the automotive giant was crumbling, losing several million dollars a month and mired in old-fashioned practices. Henry Ford II quickly set about modernizing the company and is often credited with its revitalization.

1913 The Sad Death of an Inventor

Rudolf Diesel is best known for the engine that bears his name, but few know that he was also a respected engineer, a linguist, a social theorist, and a connoisseur of the arts. But it was his diesel engine that changed the world, proving more efficient than steam and used on everything from locomotives to boats, eventually revolutionizing the automobile later in the century. The world lost this bright star today, when Diesel jumped overboard while crossing the English Channel on a cruiser - committing suicide at age fifty-five.

September 30

1955 Death of the Rebel
James Dean was killed in an automobile accident today along with his mechanic Rolf Wutherich, when Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder crashed head-on into another car. The tormented young actor was the embodiment of an entire generation's restless rebellion, made famous by his role in Rebel Without a Cause and called "the damaged but beautiful soul of our time" by Andy Warhol. He had always seemed to be searching for a way to release that restless energy, finding an outlet in the racing of cars and motorcycles. His fascination with cars and speed began when his father gave him his first '39 Chevy. Ironically, Dean had been on his way to a car race at the time of his death.

1901 Regulating Chaos around the World

Compulsory car registration for all vehicles driving over 18 mph took effect throughout France on this day, as more and more countries began regulating automobile traffic. Early city roads were often a din of crowded chaos, streets mired in mud and shared by horses, cars, and streetcars. However, phenomenal increases in traffic and accidents brought an end to the laissez-fare attitude of the road. Nine years after France began its registration policy, dividing lines appeared, followed by traffic signs, traffic lights, and one-way streets.

1937 The Last Duesenberg

They were considered the most luxurious cars in the world, hand-crafted and custom made, heeded as the epitome of flamboyance and elegance. Their clientele included the great, the near-great, the famous, and the infamous. For almost ten years, Duesenbergs were acknowledged as the ultimate in quality and value, inspiring the expression "it's a duesy." However, this symbol of opulence suffered during the hard times of the Great Depression, and Duesenberg was forced to close its doors forever on this day.

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