1902
The year the first speeding ticket was issued, when most cars could barely reach 45 mph.
82 years
Is the number of years Mr. Allen Swift of Springfield, MA drove his 1928 Rolls-Royce Roadster.
1896
When the first road traffic death occurred.
1907
The world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, Brooklands opened in Weybridge, Surrey.
42 seconds
The fastest time it took to remove and replace a car engine, in a Ford Escort, on 21st November 1985.
1927
The first electric traffic light was launched in Wolverhampton.
1769
The first automobile accident. The damaged vehicle is still preserved in the Conservatoire Nationale des Arts Metiers in Paris.
19 inches
The height of the world’s lowest street legal car. The Flatmobile was built by Perry Watkins from Buckinghamshire.
22 hours, 10 minutes and 33 seconds
The time it took for Hugh Edeleanu to drive a JCB Excavator from John O’Groats to Land’s End at an average speed of 40 mph.
1935
The first coin-operated parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City.
$200,000
The iconic Rolls-Royce hood ornament is called “The Spirit of Ecstasy”. In 2008, a special edition diamond-encrusted version was designed with an asking price of $200,000.
5 shillings
The fine for the first motor offence in the UK, issued to petrol engine pioneer, John Henry Knight, in 1895 for not having a license.
$1,000,000
The largest speeding fine ever, given to a Swedish man who got clocked doing 180 mph in Switzerland where fines are proportionate to income.
1884
The year the world’s oldest surviving car was built in France for the Count De Dion. It was sold at an auction in 2011 for $4.6 million.
19 people
Can be crammed into a Smart car.
Hitler
While in prison, wrote to a Mercedes-Benz dealership begging for a car loan.
90%
Of drivers sing behind the wheel.
6 months
The time it would take to reach the moon if you could drive straight upwards at 60 mph.
