This Day in Auto History -

8.23.1917 - Harry Larrowe Swan of the Ford Motor Company is born in Detroit, MI

8.23.1923 - Coachbuilder Vanden Plas (England) 1923 Ltd. reorganizes and takes over the former premises of The Kingsbury Aviation Company in northwest London

8.23.1939 - John R. Cobb, driving a Railton Special at the Bonneville Salt Flats, UT, raises the land speed record to 369.70 mph

8.23.1959 - Stirling Moss wins the Portuguese Grand Prix at the Monsanto circuit near Lisbon driving a Cooper-Climax, the only Formula 1 race ever staged at this venue

8.23.1974 - Roger Hedlund, driving the Battery Box, sets a land speed record for electric automobiles of 175 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, UT