This Week in Automotive History: Sept. 17-Sept. 23

Sept. 17, 1964

James Bond’s Aston Martin Debuts: The movie “Goldfinger” debuts at the Odeon Leicester Square Theatre, and the world gets its first glimpse of James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5.

Sept. 18, 2006

Rover Name Sold: To gain rights to the Rover name — most importantly for the use of the Range Rover and Land Rover lines — Ford pays BMW £6 million.

Sept. 19, 1909

Ferry Porsche Born: The man indelibly associated with the Porsche 356 and 911 cars, longtime company chief Ferdinand Anton Ernest Porsche, better known as Ferry, is born to noted German auto engineer Ferdinand Porsche.

Sept. 20, 1960

No Land Speed Record for Mickey Thompson: On Sept. 9, Mickey Thompson was timed at more than 403 mph at Bonneville, but his car failed before he could make the mandatory return run. In his Sept. 20 attempt he could do no better than 378 mph, which meant that John Cobb’s 394 mph record from 1947 still held.       

Sept. 21, 1894

Duryea established as America’s first Auto Producer: Charles and Frank Duryea establish the Peoria, Ill.-based Duryea Motor Wagon Company to produce their horseless carriages, with production beginning in 1895.  

Sept. 22, 1953

World’s First Four-Level Highway Interchange Opens: Southern California becomes the home of the first four-level highway interchange, connecting the Hollywood, Harbor, Santa Ana and Arroyo Seco freeways.  

Sept. 23, 1933

Saudi Arabian Oil Fields Targeted: Standard oil geologists arrive in Saudi Arabia, having secured the  concession to explore the country’s massive oil fields.