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12/09/2026

On this day 1989:

The Land Rover Discovery was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Code-named “Project Jay”, the new model was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the more upmarket Range Rover, but with a lower price aimed at a larger market segment intended to compete with Japanese offerings. This was the only Discovery generation with a four-cylinder petrol engine.

12/09/2026

On this day 1960:

The British Ministry of Transport’s Roadworthiness Test for cars – the MOT – came into force, covering brakes, lights and steering. The testing scheme was established to offer a quick and cheap way of finding out whether the brakes, steering and lights of a vehicle were in order or in need of adjustment. Initially, the test was referred to as the ‘10-year test’, because it was aimed at the large number of vehicles of that age on Britain’s roads, thought to number more than 1.5 million at the time. The test was obligatory for vehicles that had been registered more than 10 years ago.

10/09/2026

On this day 1979:

British Leyland (BL) announced it was to end production of all MG models. The history of the marque has been a bumpy one since the creation of the brand in 1924 by Cecil Kimber, who chose the letters MG as a tribute to William Morris, the owner of Morris Garages.The original MGs – known as Morris Garage Chummies – were made by fitting tourer bodies to Morris Cowley chassis. Purists, however, say the first true MG was the 14/28 sports model, which was also the first to sport the distinctive octagonal logo.Originally the cars were built in Oxford, but production was shifted a few miles south to Abingdon in 1929, where it continued until the plant was closed amid huge protests in 1980.

08/09/2026

07/09/2026

On this day 1962:

An Austin A40 was the first car to leave British Motor Corporation’s newly completed Car Assembly Building 2 (CAB2) at Longbridge, Birmingham.

05/09/2026

On this day 1885:

The first gasoline pump was invented and sold by Sylvanus Bowser in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This pump, held one barrel of gasoline used marble valves and a wooden plunger, was not used for automobiles, as they had not been invented yet. It was instead used for some kerosene lamps and stoves.

03/09/2026

On this day 1976:

The Ford Fiesta was formally launched. It was originally developed under the project name “Bobcat” and approved for development by Henry Ford II in September 1972. The Fiesta has sold over 16 million units over 6 generations making it one of the best selling Ford marques behind the Es**rt.