The Crittenden Automotive Library

On This Day in Automotive History: April 27

On This Day in Automotive History
April 27

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Birthdays: William Wallace (1879), Chris Dundee (1889), Rudolf Schoeller (1902), Carlo Felice Trossi (1908), Russ Klar (1914), Ernie Gesell (1915), Walt Ragan (1922), Olin Allen (1925), Tommy Irwin (1928), Bob Bondurant (1933), Don Horvath (1935), Ed Brasefield (1939), Helmut Marko (1943), Mickey Flora (1945), Ross Surgenor (1945), Chris Brauer (1946), Marc Sourd (1946), Yves Courage (1948), Kirk Bryant (1962), Dave DeSilva (1966), Marco Werner (1966), C.J. Johnson (1970), Jeff Oakley (1970), Casey Yunick (1974), David Drinkwater (1977), Ananda Mikola (1980), Brandon Collins (1982), Jeff Segal (1985), Austin Dillon (1990), Garrett Smithley (1992), Kelly Admiraal (1995), Jordan Love (1999), Brittney Zamora (1999), David Beckmann (2000)

1909: After blocking off a 2-mile section of Conduit Road above Cabin John Bridge in Washington, DC, Director Logan Page conducts experiments with high speed automobiles (50-60 m.p.h.) to test the effect of speed on macadam roads. Instantaneous cameras and moving picture machines record the effects.

1919: The film The Roaring Road was released.

1939: On the recommendation of Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace and Secretary of War Harry H. Woodring, President Franklin D. Roosevelt transmits Toll Roads and Free Roads to Congress, providing the first outline of the future Interstate Highway Program. Part I concludes that a 14,000-mile toll road network would not be self-supporting. Part II, "A Master Plan for Free Highway Development," proposes development of a 26,700-mile system of interregional superhighways with connections through and around cities.

2001: The film Driven was released.

2009: General Motors announces the discontinuation of the Pontiac Vibe.

2020: Marty Smith died in a dune buggy crash in southern California.

On This Day in Automotive History: April 27