#Automobile History

[detroitlib]

View of a 1968 Dodge Charger coupe. Printed on front: "1968 Dodge Charger. From: Dodge Public Relations, P.O. Box 1259, Detroit, Michigan 48231. For release on or after 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 30, 1967. (68-11-RP). Dodge news photo."

National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Lancia Aurelia Berlina, 1950. Lancia have been responsible for a number of engineering innovations over the decades. These included the unibody chassis in 1922, the 5-speed gearbox introduced in 1948 and the first series production V6 engine fitted to the Aurelia. The Aurelia also had a transaxle gearbox and was the first car to be fitted with radial tyre as standard equipment

[watchilove]

The Jean Bugatti legacy: a defining influence on Bugatti’s modern-day creations

January 15 is a date that will forever be entwined within the history of Bugatti. On this day – exactly 115 years ago – Jean Bugatti, the visionary engineer and designer whose incredible groundbreaking contributions continue to leave an indelible mark on the wider automotive industry, was born. Continue reading Untitled

[fxdltc88]

Ford Piquette Avenue Plant 

Detroit, Michigan, Built in 1904, it was the second center of automobile production for the Ford Motor Company, after the Ford Mack Avenue Plant. At the Piquette Avenue Plant, the company created and first produced the Ford Model T, the car credited with initiating the mass use of automobiles in the United States. Prior to the Model T, several other car models were assembled at the factory. Early experiments using a moving assembly line to make cars were also conducted there. It was also the first factory where more than 100 cars were assembled in one day.

While it was headquartered at the Piquette Avenue Plant, Ford Motor Company would become the largest U.S.-based automaker, and it would remain so until the mid-1920s. 

[techdriveplay]

The World’s Most Exclusive Concours Event Returns: 2024 Concorso d'Eleganza Varignana 1705 Dates and Jury Announced

Palazzo di Varignana is thrilled to announce the return  of the Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705, set to take place between 27-29 September 2024 – showcasing a carefully curated line-up of cars with a rich history and stunning design. Following the success of its inaugural event in 2023, this year’s Concorso promises to be even more spectacular, attracting classic car enthusiasts and renowned…

[the-outer-topic]

Automobile Art (XVII)

[yeoldenews]

"Jilted."

I've been laughing at this horse's face for a week.

(source: Yours Truly and One Hundred Other Original Drawings by James Montgomery Flagg, 1908.)

[the-cricket-chirps]

Grant Wood

Death on the Ridge Road

1935

[scotianostra]

On September 17th 1854 David Dunbar Buick was born at 26 Green Street, Arbroath.

You might recognise the name Buick, and yes he is the man behind the famous car manufacturer. The iconic brand Buick motors have the distinction of being the oldest American brand of what the yanks call automobiles, but Scotland has the honour of being home to its founder.

Like the founding titans of American industry before him, David Buick travelled to America with his family as an infant. After leaving school, he took work manufacturing plumbing equipment, but before long he was showing an aptitude for innovation, including an early lawn sprinkler and a cost-effective means for enamelling cast iron bathtubs.

It was in the 1890s when Buick began showing interest in the motoring world. He had a particular interest in combustion engines – so much so that he all-but-ignored the plumbing business, ending with the eventual dissolving of the company. In 1899, the Scot set up Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company in Detroit, Michigan, selling combustion engines in the hope of revolutionising agriculture.

Over the next three years, he set his sights on producing a complete vehicle, draining his resources while generating no return and the finished car, created with chief engineer Walter Marr. He was out of money and a single car to show for his work. Despite the immeasurable odds being stacked against him, he founded Buick Motor Company in early 1902 and immediately set to work developing a revolutionary ‘valve-in-head’ overhead valve engine.

Today’s overhead cam engines are all generally derived from David Dunbar Buick’s innovative designs. By 1906, Buick’s frivolity had caught up with him. He was awarded a severance package from the company he had helped build and left with only one share in the firm. Buick Motor Company’s president, William C. Durrant – former General Manager and Buick’s chief investor – purchased his share for $100,000, equal to $2.7million today.

For those left in any doubt about Buick’s significant role in the history of motoring, his life’s work would later become the foundation on which General Motors was established. The Scot unsuccessfully revisited the automotive industry in 1921 with Lorraine Motors, but was almost completely broke by 1928 and in 1929 he died from cancer, aged 74. David Dunbar Buick was ushered into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1974 for his contribution to the fledgling industry in the late 19th Century.

At the turn of the millennium, over 35,000,000 motor cars had been built in his name, which will never be lost to history.

The statue in the pic was unveiled in Michigan, another was planned for Arbroath as far back as 2018, but as yet so far it has not been erected.

[detroitlib]

View of a 1950 Buick Special Eight car. Label on back: "For release: August 8, 1949. A striking new bumper and grille design is one of many styling features of the new Buick Special. Long and sleek in appearance the car is three inches shorter in over all length. Dynaflow, Buick's famed transmission, is offered as optional equipment. Shown above is the four door six-passenger sedan. Full taper-through fenders, larger windshield and rear window, and many engineering improvements are incorporated in Buick's low price automobile." Stamped on back: "General Motors Photographic Section, G.M. Research Bldg., Detroit 2, Michigan. Please refer to this number when ordering prints."

National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library

[cutekittenlady]

One thing I'm likely to retcon in my headcanons regarding my earthspark kobd headcanons is Breakdowns knowledge about Knockouts history.

Before I had the idea that Knockout kept his history on cybertron as a back alley surgeon who worked on gladiators because he was insecure about what Breakdown would think.

However I've since decided that its FAR more interesting if that particular bit of drama was between Breakdown and Bumblebee. Especially with my ideas regarding Bumblebees initial view of Breakdown and Knockouts relationship. If Bumblebee finds out, likely from Megatron, about Knockouts true history and that he kept it a secret from most of the decepticons hed likely assume that he kept it from breakdown too.

Of course, it turns out Knockout absolutely told breakdown about his actually history before/during their ritus (while absolutely wondering if hed leave him for it) but the fun bit is that Bumblebee wouldn't know that.

So, after finding out about their relationshp and then subsequently coming to find out about the sorta things Knockout got up to on Cybertron, he'd naturally seek out Breakdown to tell him about how Knockout has been lying about who he was this whole time and their conjunxing may have been under false pretenses.

Now to further paint the picture, Breakdown really wants Bumblebee to accept his relationship with Knockout. He was his best friend before the war, practically a brother, so of course he wants him to accept that Knockout truly loves him. So imagine how he feels when he finds out that Bumblebee went behind his back to (presumably) dig up what he clearly considers dirt on knockout and present it to him as "proof" that knockout isnt being honest with him and essentially discredit their entire relationship.

[watchilove]

Celebrating an enduring legacy at the 40th anniversary Bugatti Festival in Molsheim

The 40th anniversary Bugatti Festival – each year, on the weekend closest to the birthday of Ettore Bugatti – 15 September 1881 – the town of Molsheim in Alsace is transformed with a three-day celebration of Ettore’s incredible legacy. The Bugatti Festival, organized by the Enthousiastes Bugatti Alsace (EBA), is a pilgrimage of Bugatti fans from all over the world, descending on the place that…

[britsyankswheels24]

🇺🇲 The last Edsel, a station wagon, rolled off the Louisville assembly line on November 19, 1959. The story of the 1960 Edsel is brief but poignant. Production began on September 14, 1959, at the Ford Louisville plant, the only remaining Edsel manufacturing facility, and just over a month later, on October 15, the cars were introduced to the public. However, by November 19, production had ceased, with only 2,846 vehicles assembled.

📅 The final Edsel to be built, known as Job Number 344, was a tan station wagon. For the assembly crew, it was just another day at work. The engine gave a slight cough as it started, and in two minutes, the last Edsel rolled off the line and into history.

🔚 It's clear that by the time the 1960 models were introduced, the Edsel was already a lost cause for the Ford Motor Company. Despite its short production run, the Edsel has left a lasting legacy as one of the most memorable names in automotive history.

[retromania4ever]

[techreviewdaily]

[rabbitcruiser]

Chevrolet officially entered the automobile market on November 3, 1911, in competition with the Ford Model T.