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The Model T set 1908 as the historic year that the automobile became popular. The first production Model T was produced on August 12, 1908 and left the factory on September 27, 1908, It is generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, the car that opened travel to the common middle-class American.
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1910 Mercer Raceabout was regarded as one of the first sports cars
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Charles Kettering invented the electric ignition and starter motor.
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Hermann Rieseler of Vulcan Motor invented the first automatic transmission, which had two-speed planetary gearbox
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1930 Cadillac V-16 powered Cadillac would join Bugatti's Royale as the most legendary ultra-luxury cars of the era.
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1938 Volkswagen Beetle a design for efficiency and low price, which was produced for over 60 years with minimal basic change; it has the largest production in history with over 20 million units produced in several counties.
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In this period that integrated fenders and fully closed bodies began to dominate sales, with the new saloon/sedan body style even incorporating a trunk or boot at the rear for storage. Wings,running boards, and headlights were gradually integrated with the body of the car.
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1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, created in response to public interest in speed and power, is often cited as the first muscle car.
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Freeways were built to improve the flow of traffic in and around cities
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1964 Ford Mustang, the pony car that became one of the best-selling and most-collected cars of the era
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Controls on harmful emissions were introduced intially in Cali but the world soon followed. Safety devices were also made manditory, before this manufacturers only included seat belts as optional extras.
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1967 Chevrolet Camaro, the pony car that General Motors introduced to compete with Ford's mustang which featured the relatively new Coke bottle styling.
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1969 Datsun 240Z, one of the first Japanese sports cars to be a smash hit with the North American public, it paved the way for future decades of Japanese strength in the automotive industry. It was affordable and well built, and had great success both on the track and in the showroom.
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Airbags were introduced to the United States in the 1970's and were required in all cars on 1984
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After the Arab oil Embargo beginning in October 1973, oil prices rocket which cause a wolrd wide shortage. The ban would be lifted a year later but America would feel it the most because gas guzzling cars were the norm. Fuel economy would now be something to consider when buying a car.
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ABS brakes to allow the driver to maintain steering control and to shorten braking distances. The first antilock braking systems (ABS) were developed for automobiles by German manufacurers; Bosch. They first appeared in trucks and cars made by Mercedes-Benz.
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Honda and Toyota initially introduced their petrol/electric hybrids to the Japanese market, before releasing them in America and Europe in 2002.
