Louis Chevrolet

Background

Louis-Joseph "Louis" Chevrolet was born in La Chaux-deFonds, Switzerland on December 25, 1878. He was the second child of French-Swiss parents Joseph-Félicien and Marie-Anne Angéline (née Mahon).

Education

He was educated in France, and spent his adult life in the United States.

Career

After moving to the United States in 1901, he became interested in auto racing and soon was one of the most famous drivers of his time. In 1911, under the sponsorship of Will C. Durant (who had organized General Motors in 1908), Chevrolet designed his first car. He soon sold his interest in that car to Durant, who formed the Chevrolet Motor Company in 1911. In 1918 the company became part of General Motors. Louis Chevrolet continued racing and competed in the Indianapolis races in cars of his own design. He died on June 6, 1941.

Achievements

• The Chevrolet automobile bears his name.
  
  The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum in Speedway, Indiana, features a memorial at the entrance to the building dedicated to the accomplishments of Louis Chevrolet.

Connections

In 1905 he married Suzanne Treyvoux; the couple had two sons.

Father:

Joseph-Félicien

Mother:

Marie-Anne Angéline (née Mahon)

Spouse:

Suzanne Treyvoux

sibling:

Arthur Chevrolet

sibling:

Gaston Chevrolet

References

• Louis Chevrolet