This Week in Automotive History: Oct. 8-Oct. 14

Oct. 8, 1908

First Vanderbilt Cup Race: With the support of railroad heir William K. Vanderbilt, the first Vanderbilt Cup Race is held on the roads of Long Island, N.Y.

Oct. 9, 1946

Phone Conversation Links Car and Plane: Exactly one year after the first electric blanket was manufactured, the first telephone conversation between a moving plane and a moving car was held.

Oct. 10, 1991

Greyhound Regains Solvency: On this day in 1991, Greyhound Bus emerges from bankruptcy.

Oct. 11, 2008

Blind Driver Sets Record: Belgian Luc Costermans drives a Lamborghini Gallardo to 192 mph along a
straight stretch of road near Marseille, France.    

Oct. 12, 1940

Actor Tom Mix Dies: Veteran cowboy actor Tom Mix dies when he loses control of his 1937 Cord 812 phaeton.

Oct. 13, 1911

Mack Trademark First Used: The MACK Truck trademark is used for the first time, although
the International Motor Company doesn’t actually register it until January 1921.   

Oct. 14, 1899

Magazine Doubts the Automobile: Literary Digest declares that “the ordinary horseless carriage
is at present a luxury for the wealthy” and will “never come into common use.”