Historic Newspapers: Automobile Issues

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Aug. 19, 21 & 22, 2010 

* Kyle Busch's "Triple Sweep" at Bristol Motor Speedway
* First time in NASCAR history for a driver to win all 3
* Craftsman Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup series 

This is a rare trio on Kyle Busch's history making "Triple Sweep" at Bristol Motor Speedway. He is the only NASCAR driver to achieve this feat and he did it again 7 years later. 
The Aug. 19 & 21 issues give a minimal account of the Craftsman Truck & Nationwide series victories with just a…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Sept. 5, 2005

* Kyle Busch's very 1st NASCAR Cup series victory
* Sony HD 500 at California Speedway - racing - race

The top of the front page of the sport's section has a headline that reads: "The Kid Gives It His All" with subhead, results and photo of Busch celebrating his 1st NASCAR Nextel Cup Series victory. (see images)  Coverage continues inside with a few more related photos and reports.
Nice to have in this L.A. publication which was near the California Speedway.
I…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, May 15, 2004

* Kyle Busch's very 1st NASCAR series racing victory
* Funai 250 at Richmond International Raceway - race

Page 11 has a somewhat discrete report under "Motor Racing" which reports Kyle Busch's win in the National Series at Richmond. This was his very 1st NASCAR series victory. (see images)  This series didn't get as much attention as the Cup resulting in the brief report here. 
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Aug. 12, 2003 

* Death of iconic coach Herb Brooks 
* "Miracle on Ice" at Lake Placid fame
* U.S. Olympic hockey team vs. Soviets

The front page of the sport's section has a heading: "Hockey Legend Dies" with subhead and two related photos. (see images)

Complete with all major sections (80+ pages), great condition.

Background:  Herb Brooks, born in 1937 in St. Paul, Minnesota, was a transformative figure in American ice hockey, both as a player and a coach. He played collegiate…

THE NEWS-JOURNAL, Daytona Beach, Florida, February 19, 2001 (Dale Earnhardt's Fatal Crash)
 
   * From the city where it happened
   * Great for framing or as a memento
   * "Black Sunday"
 
Whether you are a NASCAR fan or not, collectors cannot fail to admit that one of the more notable--and tragic--events in NASCAR racing was the death of the famed Dale Earnhardt at the Daytona 500 racetrack. See the photo below for how the local newspaper treated this event. Always nice to get major…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Feb. 16, 1998

* Dale Earnhardt wins Daytona 500
* American stock car race driver
* "The Intimidator" "The Man in Black"
* 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup series

The front page of the sport's section has a heading: "Earned Hard" with subhead and photo/results. First report coverage continues inside with 2 more related photos and results.
Complete with all sections (100+ pages), great condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, NY, Aug. 31, 1997 (3 sections)  The headline reads: "Diana Killed in a Car Accident in Paris," with subhead: "In Flight From Paparazzi - Friend Dies," with an accompanying photo. The article continues on an inside page with a photo taken at the scene of the accident.
Included is the front section, sports section, and metro section, in very nice condition.

LOS ANGELES TIMES, May 30, 1994

* Race car driver John Andretti 
* First to attempt "The Double"
* Indianapolis 500 & Coca-Cola 600
* Deion Sanders traded to the Reds
* Al Under Jr. wins the 500 

The top of page 11 of the sport's section has a two column heading: "John Andretti Drives 820 Miles for 'Double'" This was the first time a driver raced in a Indy car and NASCAR race on the same day. (see images)
Also coverage on Al Unser Jr. winning the Indianapolis 500 and Deion Sanders…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, July 14, 1993

* Davey Allison's helicopter crash
* NASCAR Cup Series driver killed
* Alabama Gang - No. 28 Ford

The front page of the sport's section has a one column heading: "Alabama Gang Has Lost Another" with subhead and small photo of Allison. (see images) First report coverage continues inside with another related photo.
Complete with all sections (70+ pages), great condition.

LOS ANGELES TIMES, April 2, 1993

* Alan Kulwicki airplane crash
* NASCAR Cup Series driver
* "Special K" "Polish Prince"

The front page of the sport's section has a heading: "Kulwicki Presumed to Be Dead" with subhead and small photo. (see images)

Complete with all sections (100+ pages), nice condition.

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Nov. 16, 1992

* Most iconic NASCAR race of all time ?
* Richard Petty's last time on the track
* Alan Kulwicki wins the Winston Cup championship
* Jeff Gordon's debut on Nascar's top level race
* Bill Elliott wins the Hooter's 500 in Atlanta 

The front page of the front page has a photo showing Richard Petty gesturing to the crowd after getting out of his wrecked car with heading: "A Curtain Call That's Fir for a King" and subhead. Coverage continues inside with…

CALENDAR section only of the Los Angeles Times, June 27, 1990

* Best original "Days of Thunder" advertisement
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere review
* American sports action drama film - Tom Cruise 

A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture hit "Days of Thunder" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.

Note: Where else might one find authentic, poster-size ads for…

THE SPORTING NEWS, St. Louis, Missouri, February 27, 1989

Certainly the premier newspaper/magazine for the sporting world, its 40+ pages are simply filled with the latest news in American sports, including a front page photo which was the highlight of the week. The top names and events of all American sports eventually found their way in the pages of The Sporting News.

* Danny Ferry, Sean Elliott, Pervis Ellison, Stacey King
* College Player of the Year

The front page photo of this…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Feb. 20, 1989

* Ingemar Stenmark last career victory
* World alpine ski racer - giant slalom
* Nascar driver Darrell Waltrip wins Daytona 500

The top of page 6 of the sport's section has a four column heading: "Stenmark 86s Girardelli to Win Giant Slalom" with photos (see)
Also the front page of this section has a heading: "Waltrip Wins One He Wanted" with color photo.
Complete with all sections (100+ pages), great condition.

THE SPORTING NEWS, St. Louis, Missouri, January 9, 1989

Certainly the premier newspaper/magazine for the sporting world, its 40+ pages are simply filled with the latest news in American sports, including a front page photo which was the highlight of the week. The top names and events of all American sports eventually found their way in the pages of The Sporting News.

* Neal Anderson

The front page photo of this issue shows "Countdown to Miami--The dangerous Chicago Bears are still…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, May 25, 1987

* 50th Anniversary - Golden Gate Bridge Walk
* Were you in the crowd?
* Al Unser wins 4th Indianapolis 500
* Record still stands (tied with A. J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and Hélio Castroneves)

The top of the front page has two large photos of the Golden Gate Bridge filled with walkers from end to end - celebrating its 50th anniversary. The related article below the photos is headed: "800,000 Mark Its 50th Birthday - Golden Gate Bridge Sways to a New Beat",…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, May 18, 1987

* "Pass in the Grass" folklore move
* Dale Earnhardt wins The Winston
* NASCAR all-star stock car racing 
* Charlotte Motor Speedway - Concord NC 

Page 6 of the sport's section has a three column heading: "Earnhardt Wins Heated Winston" (see images)

Complete with all sections (80+ pages), nice condition. 

background: On May 17, 1987, the Winston All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway featured one of NASCAR’s most iconic moments when Dale…

Ronald Reagan attends...

LOS ANGELES TIMES, July 5, 1984

* Richard Petty's 200th win
* Firecracker 400 - Daytona
* NASCAR

The front page of the sport's section has a one column heading: "President Sees Petty Win 200th"  First report coverage continues inside this section with a two column photo of Richard Petty being congratulated by President Ronald Reagan (see photos). This was Richard Petty's 200th career victory, and would also be his last.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete with…

USA TODAY, Washington, D.C., September 15, 1982  

* Vol. 1 No. 1 issue 
* Grace Kelly killed
* Hollywood actress
* Princess of Monaco

This is the very first issue of this iconic newspaper, billed as the country's first, nationwide, satellite-delivered, general interest daily newspaper.
In addition to this distinction, the front page also has a two column headline: "America's Princess Grace dies in Monaco" with a small photo.  More on the front page of the last section.
Complete with…

SUN-TIMES, Chicago, February 19, 1979 

* Famous Daytona 500 NASCAR stock car race
* Bobby Allison & Cale Yarborough wreck & fight
* Post Iranian Revolution - fall of Pahlavi dynasty
* Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini breaks Israel relations
* He declares Jews "Enemy of Islam" and "Little Satan" 

The back page has a two famous photos of the ending and aftermath of the 1979 Daytona 500 with heading: "Fight mars Petty victory" (see images) First report coverage continues on page 96 with…

SAN JOSE MERCURY, Jan. 16, 1978

* Ted Bundy - American serial killer
* Women - young girls rapist - murderer
* Florida State University sorority house attack

Page 9 has a three column heading: "2 coeds strangled to death, 3 others injured in Florida" with lead-in: "Sorority house terror" and photo of one of his victims. Also a larger photo of a sorority sister peaking out the window of the sorority house. (see images) Of course it was not known at the of this report that the killer was…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, February 16, 1976 

* Best Daytona 500 finish 
* Richard Petty & David Pearson 
* NASCAR - stock car racing 

The sport's section (page 16) has a two column headline: "Pearson, After Crash With Petty, Is Victor" with photo of the famous crash just short of the finish line. (see photos) 1st report coverage on the 1976 Daytona 500 in which Richard Petty and David Pearson wrecked each other on the last corner. Pearson limped across the finish line in 1st place. Many…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 18, 1974

* White House helicopter incident
* U.S. Army Private Robert K. Preston
* Richard Petty wins Daytona 500 - Nascar

The front page has a four column heading: "Soldier Lands a Stolen Copter on White House Lawn" with two related photos.
The bottom of the front page has a three column photo with small heading: "Petty Wins Again" with text. (see) The top of page 35 has a five column heading: "Petty Takes $275,000 Daytona 500 for 5th Time" with subheads and…

LEOMINSTER ENTERPRISE, Massachusetts, April 30, 1970

* Senator Edward Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopechne
* Chappaquiddick Island incident- car accident 
* Judge James A. Boyle's inquest conclusions 

The front page has a banner headline: "Kennedy Angered By Judge's Report Doubting Him" with lead-in: "'We Must All Live With The Loss Of Mary Jo And The Pain This Has Inflcited On Us'" and photos of Kennedy and Kopechne. (see images)
Complete with 14 pages, light toning and a little wear at the…

THE RUSSELL DAILY NEWS, Kansas, December 8, 1969

* Altamont Free Concert (Day after)
* Rolling Stones fame
* Woodstock West

This 6 page newspaper has a one column headline on the front page:

* Cleanup Continues After One-day Bash

Other news of the day throughout. A few small binding holes along the spine, otherwise in nice condition.

wikipedia notes: The Altamont Speedway Free Festival was an infamous rock concert held on Saturday, December 6, 1969, at the Altamont Speedway…

THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS, May 30, 1968  

* Race Car driver Bobby Unser
* Wins Indianapolis Indy 500
* Terrific headline for display
* Best publication to be had (rare)

When it comes to having a great issue on the Indianapolis 500 I'm not sure they get much better than this.
The front page banner headline announces: "BOBBY UNSER WINS" as reported in this, the "5th Extra". Featured is a large photo of his brother Al Unser hitting the wall, and a photo of Bobby Unser.
Bobby Unser and…

THE PARSONS SUN, Kansas, June 29, 1967

* Jayne Mansfield killed in car crash
* Hollywood actress and Playboy Playmate

The front page has a three column heading "Road Crash Kills Jayne" with caption: "Actress and two Men Die" and photo. (see) 1st report coverage on the automobile accident that killed famous actress Jayne Mansfield.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete in 12 pages, some wear along the spine, otherwise nice.

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Springfield, Massachusetts, February 28, 1966

* NASCAR National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
* 8th Annual Daytona 500 race
* Richard "The King" Petty winner
* 1st report

This 22 page newspaper has a three column headline on page 15: "Richard Petty Roars to Victory In Daytona Race Before 87,840" with related photo and results chart (see images).

This tells of the 8th ever Daytona 500 race in which driver Richard Petty won.

Due to the lack of…

THE RUSSELL DAILY NEWS, Kansas, February 24, 1964

* NASCAR National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
* 6th Annual Daytona 500
* Richard "The King" Petty winner (1st report)

Page 4 has a one column heading: "Daytona Record Is Set by Petty" First report coverage on the 6th Daytona 500 race which was won by Richard Petty, his 1st 500 win.
Also on the same page is a interesting three column heading: "Liston Sure of KO Win" He was right about one thing, it was a KO win, but for…

Here is a single page out of the May 15, 1963 Detroit News newspaper. This is a full page Ford Galaxie advertisement endorsed by NASCAR driver Tiny Lund, the recent winner of the Daytona 500. (see)
Irregular along the left  (spine) margin with some wear here, otherwise good.

THE DETROIT NEWS, Michigan, February 19, 1962

* NASCAR National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
* 4th Annual Daytona 500 race
* Fireball Roberts winner
* 1st report

This 40 page newspaper has a one column headline on the front page of the sport's section (page 25):

* Daytona 500 Record Set by Roberts

with related photo. (see)

Tells of the 4th ever Daytona 500 race in which driver Fireball Roberts won.

Due to the lack of popularity of NASCAR back then, reporting of…

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Massachusetts, January 13, 1962

* Ernie Kovacs killed (1st report)
* Famous comedian actor

This 8 page newspaper has a one column headline on the front page:  "Kovacs Killed In Car Crash". Tells of the death of famed comedian Ernie Kovacs.

Other news of the day. The paper is in good condition.

wikipedia notes: Ernie Kovacs was killed in an automobile accident in Los Angeles in the early morning hours of January 13, 1962. After meeting Adams at a baby…

THE DETROIT NEWS, Detroit, Michigan, February 27, 1961

* NASCAR National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
* 3rd Annual Daytona 500 race
* Marvin Panch winner

This 36 page newspaper has a three column headline on the front page of the sport's section (page 21): "2 Leaders Forces Out; Panch Wins Stock '500'" with related photo (see images).

This tells of the 3rd ever Daytona 500 race in which driver Marvin Panch won.

Due to the lack of popularity of NASCAR back then, reporting…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS - PARADE, Detroit, Michigan, October 16, 1960  The front of this issue contains a photo of Natalie Wood with an accompanying article "The Vamp Is Back". There are several pages of the previews of the new 1961cars at the National Automobile Show. Additional stories and advertisements are within.

This is complete in 36 pages with several small binding holes along the top edge, otherwise in very nice condition.

THE DETROIT NEWS, Michigan, February 15, 1960 

* NASCAR National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing 
* 2nd Annual Daytona 500 race 
* Junior Johnson winner - 1st report 

This 38 page newspaper has a two column headline at the bottom of the front page of the sport's section (page 25): "N. Carolina Driver Wins Daytona '500'" with related photo. (see)

Tells of the 2nd ever Daytona 500 race in which driver Junior Johnson won.

Due to the lack of popularity of NASCAR back then,…

THE PHOENIX GAZETTE, Arizona, May 30, 1959

* Racecar driver Rodger Ward wins
* Indianapolis 500 Indycar  automobile race

The front page has a nice banner headline: "WARD FLASHES TO VICTORY" with subheads and two related photos. Unusual having a nice headline on the front page for this event, normally in the sport's section only.
Complete issue with 36 pages, minor margin wear, generally nice. Nice for display.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 8, 1959 

* Dodger great "Roy Campanella Night"
* Dodgers vs. Yankees exhibition game
* Benefit for his medical expenses 
* Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

The top of page 30 has a banner heading: "Record 93,103 See Dodgers Bow to Yanks After Halting Giants in Afternoon" with subheads and related photo. (see images) 
Complete with all 56 pages, some light damp staining, otherwise nice.

background: The night of May 7, 1959, served as a poignant bridge between the Brooklyn "Boys of…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, February 23, 1959 

* Very 1st Daytona 500 Nascar race 
* Johnny Beauchamp vs. Lee Petty 

Within the sport's section on page 36 is a four column heading: "500-Mile Race Decided by Whisker" See images for text on the very 1st Daytona 500 Nascar race. It was also historic for having a photo finish which took three days to figure out who won. Lee Petty would be proven the official winner of the race.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete with…

THE DETROIT NEWS, Sept. 10, 1958

* 1958 GM Firebird III automobile debuts
* First space age concept car by GM

The back page has four related photos of the new GM Firebird III concept car with heading: "GM Warms Up a New Firebird" and some text. I'm sure that only a Detroit publication would cover this. Rare as such.
Complete with all 68 pages, light toning at the margins, binding holes along the spine, small library stamp within the masthead, generally in good condition.




…

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Leominster, Massachusetts, January 29, 1958  This 8 page newspaper has two column headlines on page 7: "CAMPANELLA'S CAREER PROBABLY FINISHED" "Dodger Player's Condition Listed As Being Critical"

Other news of the day throughout.

Minor spine wear, otherwise good.

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Massachusetts, January 28, 1958

* Roy Campanella auto accident
* Brooklyn Dodgers star catcher

This 10 page newspaper has a two column headline on the front page: "ROY CAMPANELLA OF THE DODGERS HAS FRACTURED NECK AS CAR HITS POLE".

Nice to have on the front page for display. Other news of the day throughout.

Good condition.

wikipedia notes: Campanella lived in Glen Cove, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island, while owning a liquor store in…

THE DETROIT NEWS, Michigan, July 5, 1957

* Actress Judy Tyler car crash death
* Elvis Presley co-star

This 44 page newspaper has a two column headline on page 3: "Presley Weeps at News of Starlet's Auto death" with smaller subheads and small photo (see photos).

Tells of the death of Hollywood actress Judy Tyler. She was made famous for co-starring with Elvis Presley in the famous movie "Jailhouse Rock".

Other news of the day throughout including period advertising. Some small…

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Massachusetts, May 13, 1957

* Lampasas, Texas flood disaster
* Racing diver Alfonso de Portago
* Guidizzolo, Lombardy, Italy disaster

Near the bottom of the front page is a three column heading: "Wall Collapses, Texas City Flooded" (see)
Also a two column heading: "Auto Race Tire Mishap Claims 12 Lives In Italy" (see)
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete in 14 pages, a little spine wear, otherwise nice.

THE DETROIT NEWS, Apr. 15, 1956

* 1956 GM XP-500 concept car revealed
* First piston-free engine automobile

The front page has a nice banner headline: "Even Peanut Oil Can Power New Car" with photo of the GM XP-500 concept which was the very 1st piston-free engine to be put in a automobile. Probably only reported in a Detroit publication, very rare a such.
Complete 1st section only with 22 pages, binding holes along the spine slightly effects the text, otherwise nice.

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Massachusetts, December 9, 1955

* Roy Campanella wins MVP for 3rd & final time
* Brooklyn Dodgers - MLB baseball

This 40 page newspaper has two column headlines on page 34: "Campanella Is Named MV for Third Time" and "Brooklyn Catcher Beats Out Duke Snider by Five Votes for 1955 Honor" with one column photo of Campy. (see)

Other news of the day throughout. minor spine wear, otherwise in good condition.

wikipedia notes: Roy Campanella (November 19, 1921 –…

TAUNTON DAILY GAZETTE, Mass., June 13, 1955

* 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race
* Pierre Levegh crash disaster

The front page page has a one column heading: "78 Race Dead Share Last Rite" (see) Coverage on the infamous 24 Hours of Le Mans disaster. It still stands today as the worst disaster in all of motor sports.
Complete with 16 pages, light toning at the margins, a little spine wear, generally nice.