May is an excellent month for any car lover. The weather isn’t too hot or cold for driving or working on your car. Here are some exciting moments in automobile history in the month of May.
May 21, 1901 – Connecticut Enacts First Speed-Limit Law
Connecticut is the first state to pass the speed-limit law. The 12 mph in cities and 15 mph on country roads paves the way for other states to pass their own speed-limit laws.
May 15, 1942 – Seventeen States put Gasoline Rationing into Effect
As America began to enter WWII, gasoline rationing was put into effect for seventeen eastern states. Gas rationing was mandatory for all fifty states by the end of the year.
May 23, 1934 – Outlaws Bonnie and Clyde Shot to Death in Stolen Ford
Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker are gunned down by Texas and Louisiana State Police. They met their demise in a stolen 1934 Ford Deluxe in Louisiana.
May 18, 1958 – Lotus Makes Formula One Debut
Lotus emerges on the racing scene at the Monaco Grand Prix. Team Lotus becomes one of the most successful teams over the next forty years.
May 13, 1980 – Autoworkers Union Head Joins Chrysler Board
Douglas Fraser, a union representative, is appointed to Chrysler’s board of directors. It was the first time a union rep was voted for the board.
May 20, 1995 – Street in Front of White House Closed to Traffic
President Bill Clinton closes the two-block stretch of Pennsylvania Ave. as a security measure. All non-pedestrian traffic is detoured around the area, much to the dismay of drivers.
May 17, 2005 – Toyota Announces Plans for Hybrid Camry
Toyota announces their plans to start producing a gasoline-electric hybrid of the Camry. The Camry became Toyota’s first hybrid model manufactured in the United States.
May 14, 2007 – DaimlerChrysler Sells Most of Chrysler for $7.4 Billion
Over 80 percent of Chrysler is sold to the private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management. The sale helped promote Chrysler and continue to expand their market.
May 19, 2007 – Smart Launches U.S. Road Show to Introduce Their Microcar
Smart USA attends a road show in Los Angeles, CA to promote their newest “ForTwo” microcar. The microcar has taken a hold of a lot of people in recent years.
