Automotive History

1976 Audi 100, powered by the first gas-powered 5-cylinder from Audi

(August 30, 2016) INGOLSTADT, Germany — Forty years ago, Audi presented the first five-cylinder gas engine in the second-generation Audi 100. Enhancements and new developments followed, with turbocharging, emissions control and four-valve technology, rally engines and five-cylinder diesel units. Today, the 2.5 TFSI in the Audi TT RS Coupé and Roadster carries on the great tradition of five-cylinder powerplants.

1963 Buick Special

(January 11, 2015) DETROIT — Performance has been part of Buick’s DNA since its earliest days, when stripped-down chassis and powerful Buick engines pushed the pioneers of motorsports to victory. Racing success helped forge the brand’s reputation for durability. Now, more than a century later, that legacy of performance complements the refinement for which Buick has always been known.

(January 7, 2016) The United States Postal Service has announced that four iconic pickup trucks will appear on Forever Stamps in 2016. The date of the stamp release will be announced at a later date.

(December 28, 2015) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — In recognition of the 75th anniversary of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s historic “Arsenal of Democracy” radio broadcast (Dec. 29, 1940), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has released "Automakers and the Arsenal of Democracy," a short documentary that chronicles the role of the Chrysler Corporation as one of the primary military suppliers for the Allied war effort.

(September 9, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — When Mustang first debuted in 1964 it singlehandedly defined the Pony Car segment and has been setting the standard for design ever since. It has influenced trends in every aspect of vehicle styling including the steering wheel. The all-new Mustang carries on that leadership trend. From bare aluminum and resin, to Alcantara-wrapped with drive-mode and steering-effort control, Ford is reinventing the wheel.

(July 26, 2015) Popular Science produced some short films in the ’40s and ’50s that looked into the future. This two-minute film highlights the Davis three-wheeler that employed a "tri-cycle landing gear principle." As shown in the film, it also featured built-in jacks to make tire changing an "exhilarating experience."

(July 25, 2015) DENVER, Col. — While the Corvette is a power-churning machine today, its horsepower history is pretty rocky. To celebrate America’s favorite sports car and keep up with Corvette fever, NewGMParts.com has created a chart to illustrate the changes in Corvette horsepower over the years. From the Corvette's debut with a slight inline 6 to the 2015 Z06, the chart shows how Corvette horsepower has quadrupled from 1953 to 2015.

(July 16, 2015) On this date in 1935, drivers in Oklahoma City were confronted with America's first parking meter, collecting rent for a space on the corner of First Street and Robinson Avenue.

While local drivers could avoid that single space, they couldn't escape for long. That meter was just the first of many to sprout up in Oklahoma City and across the nation, as millions of ticketed motorists will attest.

(April 7, 2015) DETROIT — Ever since vendors have peddled produce to passers-by on the streets of busy cities, Chevrolet has provided vehicles that allows them to reach their customers. Beginning in 1936, Chevrolet sold the Chevrolet Canopy Pickup — a vehicle based on the popular FB-series half-ton pickup truck. Owners could upfit these vehicles with an optional canvas canopy top and side-drop curtains. During its first model year, Chevrolet saw truck registrations top 200,000 units for the first time in company history.

(March 29, 2015) DALLAS — In 1935, the Hoover Dam was completed, Elvis Presley was born, and canned beer first graced backyard barbecues across America. It was also the year the Chevrolet Suburban was introduced.