History Of Chevrolet

 

Back in November of 1911, Chevrolet was founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. Louis Chevrolet was a Swiss race car driver and automotive engineer. William C. Durant was previously the head of the Buick Motor Company and hired Louis to drive Buicks in promotional races. Chevrolet's fame and reputation led Durant to believe that a new automobile company would succeed.

With instruction from Louis, the first car was designed, the Chevy Series C Classic Six. The prototype of the C was ready months before it was incorporated with production didn't begin until the 1913 model. Chevrolet first introduced and used the "bowtie" emblem in 1914 on the H series models and the L series model. Rumor has it that it was designed from wallpaper that Durant saw in a French hotel room. Historian Jen Kaufmann has researched this more recently and found that their logo is actually based off the "Coalettes" coal company. Other theories behind the "bowtie" include a more stylized Swiss cross for the homeland country of Chevrolet's parents. 

In 1915 Louis and Durant had differences with design and Louis sold his share of the company to Durant. Durant then repurchased a controlling interest in General Motors thanks to the profits of the Series 490. After the deal was complete, he became the president of General Motors. Chevrolet merged into GM but as a separate division. Chevrolet had factories in Ohio, New York, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, California and Canada. The Chevrolet Series D made its debut in the 1918 model year. This was a V-8 powered vehicle that was available in both four- and five-passenger models.

Chevrolet sailed into the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s and competed with other large auto companies such as Ford and Chrysler. The businesses earned the nickname the "low-priced three". Chevrolet then launched the Standard Six in 1933 which soon became known as that cheapest six-cylinder car on the market in the United States.

As time continued, so did Chevrolet's influence on the American car market well into the 1950s and 1960s. The Corvette was released in 1953 followed by the first fuel-injected engine in 1957 and the Corvair in 1960. Once 1963 hit, one out of every ten cars sold in the United States was a Chevrolet! From 1955 on, the Chevrolet small-block V8 has remained in continuous production. It's the longest mass-produced engine in the world! The design has made appearances over the years in other GM products built and sold under the Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick names. 

Building on that momentum into the 21st century, Chevrolet continued to push the envelope of automotive technology. One milestone was reached in 2012 with the launch of the Chevrolet Volt, a groundbreaking plug-in hybrid vehicle quickly hailed as North American Car of the Year and World Green Car of the Year. This commitment to advancement, and a diverse and enduring range of models, enables Chevrolet to maintain its competitive advantage and offer a vehicle for every driver. From the small-block V8 to the revolutionary Volt, the Chevrolet story is one of continuous evolution, solidifying its status as an institution of the American automotive industry.

Chevrolet has a diverse model lineup and truly has something for everyone. If you're interested in a new Chevrolet, stop by Phil Wright Autoplex today! You can also browse our inventory online at anytime!