104 YEARS AGO
On Jan. 17, 1899, in the first of a series of runs for the world land speed record this month, Camille Jenatzy takes the trophy at Acheres Park, France, driving an electric car of his own design to a speed of 41 mph (66.7 km/h).
However, his record is short-lived, being beaten later that day by previous record holder Gaston Chasseloup-Laubat driving his Jeantaud electric to 43.7 mph (70.6 km/h). Not to be outdone, Jenatzy returns Jan. 27 to again capture the crown at a speed of 49.9 mph (80 km/h).
Laubat takes the crown again in March, but Jenatzy regains it a final time in April at 65.8 mph (105.9 km/h) — the last world speed record set by an electric car.
On Jan. 27, 1904, William K. Vanderbilt posts a top speed just over 76 mph (122 km/h) at Ablis, France, driving a Mors — the first gasoline powered record-setter. Two years later, on Jan. 26, 1906, Fred Marriot urges his steam-powered “Wogglebug” to 127 mph (204 km/h) at Ormond Beach, FL.
Henry Ford drives his home-built racer to 91 mph-plus (146 km/h) on Jan. 12, 1904, but the record is not recognized by European sanctioning organizations, neither is the Jan. 27, 1904, speed of 92.3 mph (148.5 km/h) achieved by Vanderbilt in a Mercedes nor the Jan. 25, 1905, run to 104.7 mph (168.5 km/h) by Arthur MacDonald in a Napier.
One more unofficial land speed record is posted Jan. 24, 1907, at Ormond Beach, when Glenn Curtiss, founder of the fledgling Curtis Aeroplane Co., tops 136 mph (219 km/h) astride a V-8 powered motorcycle of his own design.
49 YEARS AGO
Cadillac wows the crowd attending the Jan. 19, 1954, opening of General Motors Corp.'s Motorama at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel with its Park Ave. concept car.
Featuring a unique body style with “suicide” style rear doors and far less chrome trim than is the mid-1950s “norm” as well as a brushed aluminum roof, it previews many of the styling features that later appear on Cadillac's limited edition Eldorado Brougham in model year '57.
The $13,070 production car closely follows the styling of the Park Ave. using a body virtually hand-built at the division's Clark Street plant in Detroit. However, additional chrome trim is applied, and a brushed stainless steel roof is substituted for the less durable aluminum.
Equipped with every item optional on lesser Cadillacs, including 4-wheel interconnected air suspension, Eldorado Brougham remains in limited production through model year 1960. In its final two years it is known simply as the Brougham.
The '59 and '60 models serve as precursors of Cadillac styling for the coming model year. Increasing prices and quality problems reduce sales dramatically by 1960, and output is discontinued.
OTHER DATES IN HISTORY
Jan. 1, 1919 — Edsel Ford assumes presidency of Ford Motor Co. although his autocratic father Henry remains firmly in charge.
Jan. 4, 1990 — Lincoln Town Car is the first luxury sedan in 38 years to be named Motor Trend “Car of the Year.”
