This Week in Automotive History: Dec. 2 – Dec. 9

Dec. 3, 1979

Final Pacer Completed: The last AMC Pacer — the Dick Teague-designed car that evoked a fish bowl — rolls off the assembly line. 

Dec. 4, 1971

GM Recalls 6.7M vehicles: In the largest recall in history, 6.7M General Motors cars are recalled because of vulnerability to motor mount failures.

Dec. 5, 1977

New Horizons for Chrysler Corporation: Plymouth introduces the Horizon, the first American car with a transversely mounted engine driving the front wheels. 

Dec. 6, 1954

Volkswagen Name Trademarked: Although it had been using the name for years, Volkswagenwerk G.M.B.H finally registers Volkswagen as a trademark. 

Dec. 7, 1965

Chevrolet Sets New Production Record: For the first time ever, Chevrolet builds 3,000,000 cars in one year.

Dec. 8, 1981

Mitsu Comes to Market: Although it had been building cars for the Chrysler Corporation to market under its own nameplates for years, for the first time Mitsubishi Motors begins selling cars in the U.S. under its own name.

Dec. 9, 1963

A Sad Day in South Bend: The last U.S.-built Studebaker rolls out of the company’s Indiana plant as production moves north to Canada.