Louis Chevrolet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Louis Chevrolet |
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Chevrolet in 1914
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| Nationality | Swiss |
| Born | Louis-Joseph Chevrolet December 25, 1878 La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland |
| Died | June 6, 1941 (aged 62) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Related to | Arthur Chevrolet (brother) Gaston Chevrolet (brother) |
Louis-Joseph Chevrolet (born December 25, 1878 – died June 6, 1941) was a Swiss race car driver. He helped start the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in 1911. He also founded the Frontenac Motor Corporation in 1916.
Contents
Life and Career of Louis Chevrolet
Early Life and Skills
Louis-Joseph Chevrolet was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. His father was a watchmaker, someone who makes and fixes watches. In 1886, his family moved to France. There, young Louis became very good at working with machines. He also loved bicycle racing.
Starting His Career
From 1895 to 1899, Chevrolet worked in a mechanics shop in France. Then he moved to Paris for a short time. In 1900, he moved to Montreal, Canada, to work as a mechanic. A year later, he moved to New York City. He worked for different car companies, including a French one called de Dion-Bouton.
In 1905, he married Suzanne Treyvoux, and they had two sons. That same year, he became a racing car driver for FIAT. Later, he drove for Buick. He became good friends with William C. Durant, who owned Buick and started General Motors.
Louis Chevrolet didn't have much formal schooling. But he learned a lot about car design while working at Buick. In 1909, he started designing his own engine. He built a special six-cylinder engine in his workshop in Detroit, Michigan.
Founding the Chevrolet Car Company
On November 3, 1911, Louis Chevrolet helped create the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. He started it with his brother Arthur, William Durant, and other partners. The company began in Detroit.
There are two stories about how the famous Chevrolet logo was chosen. One story says it's like a Swiss cross, honoring Louis's home country. Another story says Louis saw the design on wallpaper in a Paris hotel room.
Louis and Durant had different ideas about how the cars should be designed. So, in 1915, Louis sold his part of the company to Durant. By 1917, the Chevrolet company became part of General Motors.
Other Car Companies
In 1916, Louis Chevrolet and his brothers started the Frontenac Motor Corporation. This company made special racing parts for Ford Model T cars. They were known for their "Fronty-Ford" race cars.
Also in 1916, Louis Chevrolet became a vice president and chief engineer for the American Motors Corporation. This company made cars in Plainfield, New Jersey. It later merged with other companies.
Louis Chevrolet's Racing Career
By the mid-1910s, Louis Chevrolet focused more on building racing cars. He worked with Howard E. Blood to create the Cornelian racing car. He drove this car in the 1915 Indianapolis 500 race.
In 1916, he and his younger brothers, Gaston and Arthur Chevrolet, started Frontenac Motor Corporation. They designed and built their own racing cars.
Louis raced in the Indianapolis 500 four times. His best finish was 7th place in 1919. Both Louis and Gaston also raced successfully with Sunbeam cars. Gaston won the Indianapolis 500 race in 1920 in one of their Frontenac cars. He also won the 1920 AAA National Championship.
Later Life and Death
Louis Chevrolet passed away on June 6, 1941, in Detroit. He had been ill for some time and died from a heart attack. He is buried in the Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Louis Chevrolet Memorial
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has a special memorial for Louis Chevrolet. It honors his achievements. The memorial has a bronze sculpture of Chevrolet wearing a racing cap and goggles. It sits on a base made of marble and granite.
Awards and Honors
Louis Chevrolet was honored by being added to several halls of fame:
- Automotive Hall of Fame (1969)
- National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (1990)
- International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1992)
- Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1995)
Images for kids
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Chevrolet in 1911
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The gravesite of the Chevrolet brothers, including Louis, in Indianapolis.
See also
In Spanish: Louis Chevrolet para niños
