
When you think of women in automotive, what comes to mind? Possibly Mary Barra who made history in January 2014 when she became the first female CEO of a major automobile company (General Motors). Or maybe the World War II heroine of Rosie the Riveter? While she is primarily associated with making planes and tanks, who do you think made that equipment? Right - Chrysler, General Motors, Ford, as well as other companies - and they advertised the heck out of it. There are other historical landmarks just to name a few:

- Silent film star Florence Lawrence was another inventor. Around 1915, she came up with the idea of the first turn signal called an "auto signaling arm" that attached to a car's rear fender.
- According to the AACA Museum in Pennsylvania, Wilma Russey (pictured right) became the first woman to work as a taxi driver in New York and was also an expert garage mechanic starting in 1916.
- By the mid-20's, high schools across the country, (like the one pictured above left in Washington D.C.), offered classes in automotive to students, both men and women.

Now - what about women in performance, mainly racing? That's a slightly different kettle of fish. The first noted female race driver was Helle Nice, who raced numerous (and even won a few) Grand Prix's all over Europe during the 1930's. Fast forward to the mid-50's, England's Pat Moss, (pictured left) sister of Sir Sterling Moss who penned the incredibly sexist book, The Art Technique of Driving, was an phenomenal Rally driver. If there was an "Up Yours Gentlemen" award back then, she would have captured it hands down.

Muldowney (pictured left) began street racing in New York back in the mid 50's, entered her first drag race at 18 in 1958, received her NHRA pro license in 1965, and has become the winningist female race driver in any aspect of the sport. Most of her career was in top fuel dragsters, although she did dabble in funny cars for a few years in the early 70's.
A third, but less well known racer of note, was one of the first African-American drivers who was also an independent racing company owner. Nellie Louise Goins, aka "Nitro Nellie" drove a Plymouth Barracuda and later a Ford Mustang funny car predominantly in the early to mid 70's.

One of the lesser known female drivers that deserves attention, is Lyn St. James (pictured left). She is one of seven women who have qualified for the Indianapolis 500. She also has two victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona, another win at the 12 Hours of Sebring and competed twice at the 24 Hours of LeMans. This author has to give kudos to her based on the types of cars she drove especially in the late 70's - here she's sitting on the fender of a Porsche 917. A car, that almost every driver claims, is so fast, twitchy, and difficult to drive, that full focus is needed 100% of the time. Lyn retired in 2001.
was advertising. One of the first to chip away at those barriers was Corvette. As far back as late 1962, GM realized that women were quickly becoming a serious buying demographic. This week I've included a classic ad for the completely redesigned 1963 split-window Corvette. The opening tag line says it all. By the end of the decade, all other manufacturers would fully embrace women as customers - not just a "go talk it over with your husband first" encounter.
Times change, people - embrace it. It's good for all of us.
Until next time, peace out.
Dave
Editor's note: Thanks again to all who help contribute to the writing of this article, including the staff at B.J.'s Automotive, Belfast Maine, and the AACA Museum in Hershey Pennsylvania.
Can you confirm that Nitro Nellie and her 70's funny car will be in Indianapolis Labor Day weekend?
ReplyDeleteCan't confirm things at this time. Checked everything from NHRA to the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis website to her Facebook page. I know that since she's been inducted in the Hall of Fame, she has been touring somewhat with the recreated version of her Mustang F/C (the original body got destroyed in the mid 70's).
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if she was there. From what I've read, she is quite an individual - high class all the way.
ReplyDelete