Fun Facts About Cars and Towing

At Brady’s Towing and Roadside Assistance, we spend a lot of time around cars and tow trucks. But did you know that both have some pretty fascinating histories? From record-breaking speeds to surprising towing feats, here are some fun facts about cars and towing that you might not know!

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Fun Car Facts

1. The First Car Didn’t Have a Steering Wheel

The first automobile, built by Karl Benz in 1885, didn’t have a steering wheel. Instead, it was controlled by a lever! Steering wheels became standard in the early 1900s.

2. The World’s Fastest Car Can Go Over 300 MPH

The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ set a world record in 2019, reaching a top speed of 304.77 mph. That’s faster than most small airplanes during takeoff!

3. Windshield Wipers Were Invented by a Woman

Mary Anderson patented the first windshield wiper in 1903 after noticing that streetcar drivers had to open their windows in the rain to see the road.

4. The Average Car Has Around 30,000 Parts

From tiny screws to major engine components, a modern car is a complex machine with thousands of moving parts.

5. The Longest a Car Has Ever Lasted? Over 3 Million Miles!

A man named Irv Gordon drove his 1966 Volvo P1800 for over 3.2 million miles, setting a Guinness World Record for the highest mileage ever recorded on a personal vehicle.

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Fun Towing Facts

6. The First Tow Truck Was Invented in 1916

Ernest Holmes Sr. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, built the first-ever tow truck after struggling to pull a car out of a ditch using ropes. His invention led to the modern towing industry.

7. Tow Trucks Have Their Own Holiday

Every year, National Tow Truck Driver Appreciation Week is celebrated in the second week of September to honor the hard work of tow truck operators.

8. The Heaviest Vehicle Ever Towed Weighed Over 7 Million Pounds

In 2012, a team of towing professionals moved NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour through the streets of Los Angeles. The shuttle and its transport system weighed an incredible 7.8 million pounds!

9. Some Tow Trucks Can Lift Up to 75 Tons

Heavy-duty tow trucks are designed to tow massive vehicles like tractor-trailers, buses, and construction equipment. These powerful trucks can lift and pull loads of up to 150,000 pounds!

10. There’s a World Record for Fastest Tow Truck

The world’s fastest tow truck is a modified Ford F-550, which hit a top speed of 109.4 mph on a racetrack! While we don’t recommend speeding in a tow truck, it’s an impressive record.

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Final Thoughts

Cars and tow trucks have a rich history full of innovation, record-breaking feats, and incredible machines. Whether you're a car enthusiast or just love learning new facts, there's always something interesting happening in the world of automobiles and towing.

And remember, if you ever need a reliable, professional towing service, Brady’s Towing and Roadside Assistance is here to help—no world records required!

Need assistance? Call us today!