CHEVROLET HISTORY - THE EARLY YEARS
1909
William Durant, a successful buggy manufacturer from Flint, Michigan,
asked Louis Chevrolet, a well known race car driver, to help design a
car for introduction to the public. He had not yet formed a company to
manufacture it.
1911
The Chevrolet Motor Car Company enters the turbulent automobile market
on November 3. Durant envisions his new company as an inexpensive
competitor to the Ford Model T. He chose to name the company after its
designer, Louis Chevrolet, because he liked the sound of the name and
because Chevrolet was a prominent name in motor sports.
1912
Chevrolet hits the streets of Detroit with the "Classic Six" -- a large,
five passenger touring sedan with a long list of standard features,
including four doors, electric lights and a folding top, plus a
windshield and its own tool box. Its 299-cubic-inch, six cylinder
engine could reach a top speed of 65 miles per hour.
1914
The Chevy "bowtie" logo appears for the first time. Legend maintains that
the bowtie shape was inspired by a pattern of wallpaper in a Paris hotel
room. In 1908, William Durant reportedly detached a small piece and kept
it in his wallet, waiting for the day he'd put it to use.
1915
Chevy's first challenge to the Ford Model T, the "490" is introduced
($490).
1917
Success of 490 pushes Chevy unit sales to the 100,000 mark.
1918
First Chevy truck sold. Chevy joins GM Corporation.
1924
Chevy offers first radio option.
1927
Chevrolet outsells Ford by topping 1 million units for the first time.
In all but four of the next 55 years, Chevrolet is the top-selling
American nameplate.
1930
Chevy is first in the industry with articulated brake shoes.
Chevy produces its 7-millionth vehicle.
1934
Chevy is first to introduce independent front suspension, which greatly
improves ride and handling and reduces tire wear.  Roads in America are
still rough at this time, so this is a very comforting feature, indeed.
1935
Chevrolet is a pioneer in the station wagon field with the introduction
of its Suburban Carryall.
1941
Chevrolet builds a record 1.6 million cars and trucks in the '41 model
year. Our advertising this year claims, "Bigger is Better."
Chevrolet is awarded a U.S. government contract to build 75-mm high-
explosive shells as well as shooting parts for a 90-mm antiaircraft gun
capable of firing a projectile five miles. Chevrolet also manufactures
the highly complicated Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines used on long
range bombers to attack targets in Germany.
1942
Civilian production of automobiles ends on January 30, 1942. It will be
four years before new models are seen again.
Chevrolet touts our war effort with the ''Volume Production For
Victory!'' print advertising.
--- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR]
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