For generation after generation, Chevrolet has had a presence in the US auto market and the lives of millions of drivers. While everyone has probably been in a “Chevy” at some point, there are certain things you may find surprising about the automaker and its history. Below is a list of five things you probably didn’t know about Chevrolet.
While it may be strange to hear, Chevrolet wasn’t always a division of General Motors. It has been for nearly 100 years. However, Chevrolet was actually founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and William Durant. Louis was both an engineer who designed automobiles as well as a famous sports car driver.
Durant was actually the founder of General Motors. Chevrolet was founded by William and Louis after he was ousted from his leadership position at GM and was forced to start up a new company. Due to Louis’s fame as a racecar driver, the collaboration appeared to be the perfect choice. When Durant became the president of GM again in 1917, the two separate companies merged into the one entity we know today.
The base of this armored vehicle was a Chevy 157 truck. It saw battle and was implemental in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. This Chevy “tank” is still on display in the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw.
1. Chevrolet Wasn’t Always Owned by GM
Durant was actually the founder of General Motors. Chevrolet was founded by William and Louis after he was ousted from his leadership position at GM and was forced to start up a new company. Due to Louis’s fame as a racecar driver, the collaboration appeared to be the perfect choice. When Durant became the president of GM again in 1917, the two separate companies merged into the one entity we know today.
2. A Chevy Truck Was Used as a Tank Against the Nazis in World War II
Generally, when a person thinks of a Chevy, they don’t think of a war machine. However, this was the case during World War II in Poland. The resistance movement against the Nazis there developed an armored car that was named the Kubuś. This vehicle greatly resembled a tank and was covered with thick metal plating.The base of this armored vehicle was a Chevy 157 truck. It saw battle and was implemental in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. This Chevy “tank” is still on display in the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw.
3. The Corvette Is Named After a Class of Naval Warship
The Corvette is synonymous with Chevrolet. However, many people don’t know how this famous sports car got its name. Corvette is actually a French word. It was originally used to refer to a certain kind of French naval warship with a flush-deck that was used during the 17 and 1800’s. The ship had one row of guns and ranks right below a frigate in terms of firepower. Today, most navies still include battleships in the Corvette class.4. The Idiotic Reason the Nova Didn’t Sell in Mexico
Chevrolets have always sold rather well in Mexico. In fact, Mexico is the fifth largest market for Chevy cars and trucks. However, one classic Chevy sold extremely poorly in Mexico. That was the Chevy Nova. Why the Chevy Nova sold poorly should probably be a case study in poor marketing. In Spanish, Nova sounds remarkably similar to a phrase that translates as “does not go.” No one can blame the Mexicans for not wanting to buy a car that “does not go.”5. Chevrolet Watches Can Be Purchased for a Pretty Penny
When you think of quality watches, you may think of companies like Rolex, but never Chevrolet. Despite this, a line of extremely pricey premium quality watches with the Chevrolet name have been introduced by Swiss watch maker, AJS-Production SA. However, they aren’t directly related to the car company. Instead, they exist as a line of Louis Chevrolet watches that pay tribute to the racing legend that founded the company.Miles Walker normally writes feature articles on car insurance quotes for Car Insurance Comparison .org.