This Week in Automotive History: Aug. 20-Aug. 26


Aug. 20, 2004

 

Tow Jam Sets Record: A record-setting 83 tow trucks parade through the streets of Wenatchee, Wash., to set a Guiness World record.

Aug. 21, 1897

 

Oldsmobile Founded: Ransom Eli Olds forms Olds Motor Vehicle Company in Lansing, Mich.  It would become part of General Motors in 1908 and the division closed in 2004.

Aug. 22, 1950

 

Speed Control Patented: Ralph R. Teetor of Hagertown, Ind., patents a speed-
control device that would be developed into what we now know as cruise control. 

Aug. 23, 1913

 

Yosemite Motor Vehicle Ban Lifted: For the first time automobiles are allowed into Yosemite National Park.

Aug. 24, 1958

 

First Woman to Race in Formula 1: Maria Teresa de Filippis races a Maserati 250F in the Portuguese Grand Prix to become the first woman to race in the Formula 1 Championship.

Aug. 25, 1910

 

Shaw Livery Company Founded: Walden W. Shaw and John D. Hertz form the Walden W. Shaw Livery Company, which would later become the Yellow Cab Company. Hertz would go on to become a household name for the eponymous rental car company.

Aug. 26, 1940

 

LaSalle Discontinued: After 14 years, Cadillac ceases production of the LaSalle.

Read next Up next: Monterey 2012: Concours brings out cars and characters
Your daily pit stop for automotive news.

Sign up to receive our Daily Driver newsletter

Subject to Hagerty's Privacy Policy and Terms of Conditions

Thanks for signing up.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *