The influential 1933 Graham Blue Streak, the work of prolific Detroit designer Amos Northup, has been added to the National Historic Vehicle Register. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ With truck and SUV sales booming at General Motors and fuel prices at historic lows, the automaker has placed six passenger cars under review for discontinuation. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Deliveries of the Ford GT have been halted temporarily while the automaker sorts out supply and quality control issues on the $400,000 supercars. More at Motor Trend.
+ French parts maker Valeo reported a 20 percent increase in profits as demand for LED lighting and fuel-efficient engine systems outpaced the global auto markets. More at CNBC.
+ Mercedes racing boss Niki Lauda believes attempts to bring new fans into Formula 1 have been “destroyed” by the FIA’s decision to introduce the cockpit safety halo in 2018. More at Racer.
+ BMW has rejected a report by the magazine De Speigel asserting that German carmakers conspired to fix the prices and designs of diesel emissions systems. More at Reuters.
+ The state of New York provided $10,000 for repairs to a 1932 Packard used by Franklin Delano Roosevelt to be featured on Wayne Carini’s Chasing Classic Cars TV program. More at USA Today.
+ Opel has defended the inclusion in its sales data of cars leased by company workers, retirees and their families, boosting its reported market share. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Amos Northup’s groundbreaking 1933 Graham Eight, also known as Blue Streak, has been added to the National Historic Vehicle Register. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick says he plans to run four Monster Cup cars next year and has no plans as yet to move 19 year-old William Byron into a Cup ride. More at NBC Sports.
+ Ford has filed a petition to fight the latest expansion of the Takata airbag inflator recall, which involves 2.7 million Ford, Mazda, and Nissan vehicles. More at The Detroit News.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from July 21 here.
Photo courtesy of the Historic Vehicle Association.
Have you joined Mac’s Motor City Garage on Facebook? It’s lots of fun with rare photos, car lore, trivia, and great discussions. Click here to go the page and join MCG. Be sure to check out our companion Facebook page MOTOROLOGY, too.
The Graham Blue Streak has been a favorite of mine since I was given a Tootsietoy replica. I think that in addition to the styling cues, Graham was also one of the leaders in pearlescent paint, as shown in the lead photo. The car pictured is painted Golden Tan, a shade available from 1932 thru 1934.