On May 28, 1937, the government of Germany—then under
the control of Adolf Hitler of the National Socialist (Nazi)
Party—forms a new state-owned automobile company.

Later that year, it was named simply Volkswagenwerk,
or “The People’s Car Company.”

After nearly 70 years and more than 21 million units
produced, the last original Beetle rolled off the line
in Puebla, Mexico, on July 30, 2003.

In 2003 the last production Type 1 VW Beetle rolled off the assembly line.

On May 25, 1994, the ashes of 71-year-old George Swanson are
buried (according to Swanson’s request) in the driver’s seat of
his 1984 white Corvette in Irwin, Pennsylvania.

Swanson, a beer distributor and former U.S. Army sergeant during
World War II, died the previous March 31 at the age of 71.

They finally relented after weeks of negotiations, but insisted
that the burial be private, and that the car be drained of fluids
to protect the environment.

FROM THE SATURDAY EVENING POST (1953)

The word Ethyl was short for tetraethyl, an compound added to
gasoline to boost its octane rating. It was marketed as a way to
avoid engine knock in automobile engines as far back as the
1920s. It was also referred to as premium gasoline.

On May 11, 1947, the B.F. Goodrich Company of Akron, Ohio,
announced it had developed a tubeless tire, a technological
innovation that would make automobiles safer and more
efficient.

The culmination of more than three years of engineering,
Goodrich’s tubeless tire effectively eliminated the inner
tube, trapping the pressurized air within the tire walls
themselves.

By reinforcing those walls, the company claimed, they were
able to combine the puncture-sealing features of inner tubes
with an improved ease of riding, high resistance to bruising
and superior retention of air pressure.

On April 29, 2004, the last Oldsmobile came off the assembly
line at the Lansing Car Assembly plant in Michigan, signaling
the end of the 106-year-old automotive brand, America’s oldest.

The last 500 Aleros ever manufactured featured “Final 500″
emblems and were painted dark metallic cherry red.

In 1897, Ransom E. Olds (1864-1950), an Ohio-born engine
maker, founded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in Lansing.

Along with Daimler and Peugeot, Oldsmobile was among the      
world’s oldest auto brands.

A dealer from Florida took home the last ever Oldsmobile 
built for $42,000, nearly double its original price.

Beverly Bolton looks for the signature of her son-in-law on
the hood of the last ever Oldsmobile.