Calendar page: July 16–22.

We invite you to a brief overview of the events of automotive history, which this week celebrate the anniversary. 

16.07.1909 | Powstaje August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH, prototype Audi

August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH was not the German entrepreneur's first car factory. Horch initially worked for Karl Benz to found August Horch & Cie in 1899, which he ran until 1909. Then there was a quarrel with partners and Horch decided to start his own business. And on July 16, 1909, August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH was founded.

The name of the new factory was not liked by former colleagues, which led to a lawsuit in which Horch had to change the name of his company. Since “horch” in German means to listen, the engineer decided to call his company Audi, which has exactly the same meaning, only in Latin.

July 17.07.1903, 130 | The first driver reaches a speed of over XNUMX km/h

In June 1903, Arthur Duret decided to try to break the speed record, which since November 1902 belonged to Henri Fournieri, who accelerated at the wheel of Mors Z Paris-Vienne to 124 km / h. Arthur Duray used a Gobron Brillie called Paris-Madrid, which hit 134,32 km/h to break the record. Later, he even broke his own record, speeding up to 142 km / h on the same car (March 1904).

Let the development of the automotive industry of that time be evidenced by the fact that by the beginning of the First World War in 1914, the official speed record was 199,7 km / h.

July 18.07.1948, XNUMX | Juan Manuel Fangio starts competing in Europe

For many, he is one of the best drivers in automotive history. Juan Manuel Fangio is a legend of Formula 1, in which he played in the 51s. During his career, he competed 24 times, winning 35 races, and was on the podium 5 times, which allowed him to win titles.

Juan Manuel Fangio learned to drive in the army and started racing after his service. He officially began his career in 1934. He arrived in Europe as a well-formed driver and made his debut on 18 July 1948 at the Grand Prix in Reims, France. He won his last title at the age of 46.

July 19.07.2006, XNUMX | Premiere of the first Tesla

Before Tesla introduced the revolutionary Model S, its start was somewhat less impressive. On July 19, 2006, the presentation of the brand's first car called the Tesla Roadster took place at Santa Monica Airport. At the San Francisco Auto Show in November, the car was presented to the general public.

It wasn't entirely Elon Musk's own design. The Lotus Elise was used as the basis for an electric sports car. The main change was the use of an all-electric drive system with less than 250 hp, which made it possible to accelerate to 100 km/h in 5,7 seconds. Later performance improved. Much attention was paid to the flight range, which ranged from 320 to 400 kilometers. The serial version was ready in 2008 and was produced until 2012. Approximately 2450 examples were built. We know very well how Tesla's story unfolded. We have already presented you the Model S.

July 20.07.1993, 126 July XNUMX | Three millionth Polish Fiat p

The history of the Polish automotive industry is inextricably linked with the Polish Fiat 126p, which was driven by the Poles. More than 1973 million units were produced between 2000 and 3,3, far surpassing the Italian result of the original Fiat 126 produced before 1980.

The peak of popularity of the Fiat 126p came in 1977-1990, when plants in Bielsko-Biala and Tychy produced a total of 150 to 200 cars annually. cars. The three millionth Baby left the factory shortly after the political transformation, on July 20, 1993. This was the model until the last major upgrade a year later (Fiat 126p EL). The last years of production of the obsolete Baby were only a continuation of his agony, although the car, due to its low price, still found buyers.

After the political transformation, ridiculed, today the versions of the BRL period are classics in demand, and copies with chrome bumpers are already expensive. The mood in the country remained.

The photo shows the latest incarnation of the Fiat 126p, officially named Maluch, which was produced in this incarnation until 2000.

21.07.1987/40/XNUMX July XNUMX | Presentation Ferrari F

Ferrari F40, the latest car created with the participation of the founder of the brand, Enzo Ferrari. This is a supercar made of flesh and blood. He's fast as hell, devilishly aggressive, and unpredictable in unprepared hands. All due to the lack of any electronic amplifiers.

Today, many fast cars are able to forgive us rudeness. In case of danger, the traction control system or ABS will work, preventing too sharp skidding. In the Ferrari F40, the situation was simple: you have a 8-liter V478 with 959 hp at your disposal, which sends power to the rear axle through a manual transmission. No ABS. No traction control. Real mechanical motorization. For people who are closer to a strict approach than the latest technology. For the latter, at that time, the Porsche XNUMX was available - the great competitor of Enzo's latest "brainchild".

22.07.1894/XNUMX/XNUMX | Rally Paris-Rouen - the first motorsport event

We are once again returning to the history of motorsport, or rather, to its very beginning. According to historians, the first motorsport event took place on July 22, 1894. Then the Paris-Rouen rally took place. To some, it was more of a fitness contest than a flesh-and-blood draw where the fastest wins.

More than 100 teams took part in the competition. These were cars not only of internal combustion, but also with steam and electric engines. The length of the route was 126 km, and the participants had to overcome it in 12 hours, and, interestingly, it was not about being the first to finish. The vehicle must also provide sufficient comfort, safety and reliability. That's why Jules-Albert de Dion, who came to the finish line first, was not awarded the title of winner, although his steam engine allowed him to reach 6,5 hours.