This Week in Automotive History: Oct. 1-Oct. 7

Oct. 1, 1908

Ford Model T Production Begins: When Ford Started building the Model T, nobody had a hint the company would go on to produce 15 million Tin Lizzies before the car was discontinued in 1927.

Oct. 2, 1959

Corvair Introduced: When Chevrolet announced the rear-engine, air-cooled Corvair, it was as a four-door only. Two doors and wagons and convertibles came later, as did the controversy fueled by Ralph Nader in “Unsafe at Any Speed.”

Oct. 3, 1961

Ford’s UAW Workers Walk Out: For the first time since they unionized in 1941, UAW workers stage a full company-wide strike.

Oct. 4, 1964

Autostrada del Sol Opens: A stretch of superhighway (Autostrada) opens between Milan and Naples, Italy.  

Oct. 5, 1962

Michael Andretti Born: The 1991 CART champion is born to Indy Car and Formula 1 champion, Mario Andretti. His 1993 foray into Formula 1 with McLaren was not successful. 

Oct. 6, 1888

Daimler Licenses U.S. Rights: William Steinway, a member of the piano-making family, acquires
the rights to build Daimler cars in the United States. 

Oct. 7, 1913

Moving Assembly Line Arrives: The Ford Motor Company announces the implementation of a moving assembly line for Model T production.