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On This Day in Automotive History: July 11

On This Day in Automotive History
July 11

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Birthdays: Mel Hansen (1911), Fritz Riess (1922), Alberto Uria (1924), Johnny Sudderth (1929), Giorgio Pianta (1935), Garth Wigston (1939), Clive Puzey (1941), Graeme Bailey (1943), Rolf Stommelen (1943), Roland Bassaler (1946), Jean-Luc Roy (1955), Andrew Gilbert-Scott (1958), David Craddock (1959), Gary Rubio (1959), Lawrence Stroll (1959), Bobby Dotter (1960), Fred Whiteman (1961), Joe Bean (1962), Dwain Dement (1962), Ken McFarland (1963), Ricardo Romagnoli (1963), Joe Cudmore (1964), Cory Newendyke (1965), Rick Ruzbarsky (1965), Sean Michael (1966), Billy Wilburn (1966), David Ducote (1968), Brady Flaherty (1971), Jeremy Miller (1972), Steven Richards (1972), Randy Schuler (1972), James Bergmuller (1978), J. Herbst (1979), Jody Firth (1981), Ben Spies (1984), Davey Coble (1989), James May (1989), Mark Shulzhitskiy (1989), Jacob Allen (1994), Kyle Belmont (1994), Justin Kunz (1997)

1911: President Woodrow Wilson signs the Federal Aid Road Act, launching the Federal-aid highway program. The ceremony is witnessed by Members of Congress and representatives of farmers' organizations, AAA, and AASHO. Federal-aid funds are to be apportioned based on area, population, and post road mileage. The Federal share is 50 percent of the actual cost, up to $10,000 a mile. However, no funds are to be provided to a State unless it has a State highway agency and its legislature has assented to the provisions of the Act.

1967: Director of Public Roads Frank Turner tells the Western Association of State Highway Officials, meeting in Honolulu, HI, to plan, design, construct, and maintain highways with an enlightened view toward their total impact on society.

1980: The film Used Cars was released.

1980: The song “Burning Car” by John Foxx was released.

1980: Transportation Secretary Neil Goldschmidt administers the oath of office to Administrator John S. Hassell, Jr., who had served as Deputy Administrator since August 31, 1978. Referring to the complex challenges facing FHWA, Hassell says, "I am confident that we, working in cooperation with the various State highway departments and the Congress, can and will develop solutions which will permit our highway transportation system to serve our mobility needs."

1994: The Rolling Stones released their album Voodoo Lounge, which included the song “Brand New Car.”

2017: Volvo launched the 2018 VNL Series truck.