One of today’s major American car makes, Chevrolet, was founded nearly 100 years ago. Louis Chevrolet was a Swiss racecar driver who had created his own automobile designs. William Durant, the founder of General Motors, had been forced from GM management in 1910. Durant began producing Chevrolet’s designs in 1911 as a way to rebuild his own reputation. By the end of the decade, Chevrolet’s success had allowed Durant to buy a majority of GM shares, Chevrolet had become a part of the GM name, and Durant was president of General Motors. Though Chevy began as an independent company, the company became part of General Motors in 1916.

Because of Chevrolet’s beginnings, every vehicle, car, or truck, especially in the early years, was based on the original Ford designs, including the Model T. From there, though, two vastly different car companies emerged. In these early years, Chevy was known for technologically innovative designs and unique styling. Entering the automobile market to compete with the Ford Model T, Chevrolet and Durant created important models that would become quite important to automobile history. The 1914 “Classic Six” boasted a 4.9 L, 6-cylinder engine, with a top speed of 15 miles per hour. The Model D V8 roadster was introduced in 1918, the first in a long line of Chevy V8 engines.

Chevrolet first used its now-famous “bowtie” logo in 1913; it was said to been inspired by wallpaper Durant saw in a French hotel. The Chevrolet company played an important role in the beginnings of the auto industry in America. Chevy is widely known for some of the most memorable vehicles ever produced, like the Corvette, one of the most recognizable vehicles sold in America.

Chevrolet is especially well known for its influence on American automobiles during the 1950s and 1960s. The story of the Bel Air, Chevrolet’s premium car model, began in 1953. The Bel Air was notable for its use of chrome molding, both inside and out, which would soon be seen on nearly every popular 1950s and 1960s automobile. Many Chevy models of the mid-50s remain wildly popular among car collectors today. Take, for example, the ’55 Chevy, available in convertible, hardtop coupe, and 2- or 4- door sedan versions. At the time, it was said to be far superior in style to any available Ford or Plymouth automobile, particularly due to its chrome accents and classic, refined look. The small-block V8, introduced in 1955, remains in continuous production to this day. Other Chevy innovations of this era included the first fuel-injected engine in 1957.

Chevrolet was the first American automaker to build more than 3 million vehicles in one year, doing so in 1964. In 1966, Chevrolet unveiled its all-new Camaro, which would become a hit during the 1967 model year. By the end of its very first model year, the Camaro had joined the “pony car phenomenon,” and the first Camaro SS version became the pace car at the Indy 500.

Today, both the ’55 Bel Air and the Camaro remain two of the most highly sought after classic cars, not to mention the most recognizable. The Chevy name has earned the loyalty of its owners, and thirty and even forty-year-old Chevy models are very popular both on the roads and in classic car shows, a tribute to their durability and classic appeal.

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Category: Automotive
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