Media

Louis Chevrolet

Media

Louis Chevrolet, 1910s

Written by Mark DeSantis in collaboration with Ralph J. Kramer

Although fans of the NHRA sometimes refer to funny car driver Dick Harrell as Mr. Chevrolet, ladies and gentleman, there really was a Mr. Chevrolet and his names was Louis Joseph, and he migrated to America with his 3 brothers: Alfred, Arthur, and Gaston Chevrolet.

The great Louis-Joseph Chevrolet was born Christmas Day, December 25, 1878, in the Bernese Jura region of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. During his childhood he spends time in the villages of Bonfol and Beurnevésin, which were close to the French border. Around 1887, when Louis was around nine years old, the Chevrolet family left Switzerland to live in Beaune in the Côte-d'Or region of France. Gaston was born in 1893 followed by Arthur in 1896 born in Bonfol. In Swiss fashion, Louis' father Joseph worked in the watch and clock trade while Louis learned to repair and later race bicycles. Louis had gained intense interest in the repair of bicycles while working at the Roblin mechanics shop (1895-1899) which fixed carriages and bicycles. There he learned the basics of gears and mechanicals. He invents his own wine pump of his design. He would also build and sell his own bicycle called the Frontenac. This name would be later used for his race cars. There is an old Bonfol story that is told about Louis meeting American millionaire and racer William K. Vanderbilt. While on vacation in Europe, Vanderbilt was looking for a mechanic to repair his cycle. The story suggests that while getting his cycle fixed at Roblin, Vanderbilt observes Louis' skill fixing his cycle and invites Louis to come to America, suggesting that there was grand opportunity for someone with his abilities. Many young men of that era would compete in bicycle racing in the Hills of Beaune. Louis not only competed, but he won numerous bicycle races. During his teens, although in great physical shape, Louis loses interest in the bicycle and becomes a well-groomed, six foot chauffeur, a job which required driving and mechanician skills.

During 1899, Louis known for racing the 2 wheel Darracq manufactured bicycles, leaves Roblin and was given a job in the mechanical shops of Mors, and Darracq Company. Darracq built the well known Gladiator bicycles, however Louis was introduced to the Darracq internal combustion engine. This event would consume his interest and Louis began studying the 4 cycle engine. Some time later he worked for Hotchkiss and DeDion-Bouton, which also opened operations in Brooklyn, New York on Church Lane and 37th street. During the turn of the century he migrated to Montreal, Canada and was able to employ work as a chauffeur and then migrated to the headquarters of De Dion-Bouton "Motorette" Company in Brooklyn He eventually worked for Fiat in Manhattan during 1902, now known for having great mechanical skills, Louis moves his new career into automobile racing. Fiat assigned back up driver Louis to compete in his first race at the Hippodrome near Morris Park. He sets a new record for the one mile course at 109 km/hr. He would later engage and defeat the well known racers Barney Oldfield and Walter Christie. During 1902, De Dion-Bouton "Moterette" Company closes and he loses his position and learns of his Dad's passing and encourages his mother Angelina, and family to migrate to America. The family Chevrolet leaves Havre and arrives in Brooklyn, May 2, 1902 aboard the sailing ship SS La Savoie. On a wonderful 3rd of July, 1905 Louis marries sweetheart Suzanne Treyvoux at Saint Vincent de Paul. His sons Charles and Alfred were born in 1906 and 1912.

Prior to his induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (1990) and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1995), Louis proved he was a fierce competitor on the track during the early days of the American automobile.

Louis gained rapid fame in the automobile racing circles. During the early 1900s at Speed Week at Daytona Beach, Florida, also known as Ormond Beach. Louis, driving the powerful V8 Darracq, actually held the world land speed record for a short time, later arriving in the northeast and driving in the Vanderbilt Cup Races to be held on Long Island Motor Parkway during 1904-1910. In fact, during the last 2 years of the race, Louis drove his famous (1909) Buick Marquettes clocking the fastest laps of the race and nearly won the 1910 race only to give the lead away to Harry Grant due to front suspension failure. The Franco-Swiss driver managed to beat fate and suffered many injuries from the Vanderbilt crashes. Louis went on to race and won the Harkness Gold Trophy in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn in 1917. Louis averaged 110mph during the 100 mile race, which was absolutely flying in the early hand built cars. In this race he had beaten some of the best drivers back in the day. Prior to this race, Louis had prominent victories at Cincinnati and Chicago tracks.

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