This Week in Automotive History, Oct. 15-Oct. 21
Oct. 15, 1978
Happy Birthday Lido: To celebrate Lee Iacocca’s birthday, Henry Ford II ousts him from his position as president of Ford Motor Company.
Oct. 16, 1958
El Camino Introduced: Chevy introduces the half-car, half-truck, rated for a payload of between 650 and 1,150 pounds and based on the new Brookwood, two-door wagon.
Oct. 17, 1968
“Bullit” Released: The new Steve McQueen movie is released, featuring one of film’s all-time greatest car chases between a 1968 Mustang and 1968 Dodge Charger R/T.
Oct. 18, 1919
Rolls-Royce of America established: The newly-formed subsidiary of the venerable British car maker opens its doors and acquires its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Springfield, Mass.
Oct. 19, 1980
John Z. Delorean Arrested: Veteran auto engineer and executive John Z. DeLorean is arrested in a Los Angeles hotel room, complete with a briefcase containing $24 million worth of cocaine.
Oct. 20, 1965
Last PV544 built: The last Volvo PV544 is driven off of the Volvo assembly line at the Lundy plant in Sweden.
Oct. 21, 1921
Edison Institute Dedicated: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the incandescent light bulb, Henry Ford dedicates the Edison Institute in Detroit.
