Since Chevrolet’s entry into the market, it has remained one of America’s most well-loved car manufacturers. It is so deeply ingrained in the canon of American automotive history that many collectors feel that a collection would be missing without one of these beloved vehicles.
In homage to its incredible role in American automotive history, this article will talk about some little-known facts about this brand. Here are some facts about Chevrolet:
1. They Developed the First SUV
In 1933, the company introduced the Chevrolet Suburban Carryall, the first and longest-running SUV line in the world. The space and modular seating arrangements defined an entire class of vehicles for over ninety years, and many other car brands have released their own versions since then.
2. The Chevy Camaro Was Their Answer to the Mustang
The iconic line of the Chevy Camaro of Bumblebee fame was actually a response to the Ford Mustang line. It was originally named the “Panther,” a moniker given to remind American car enthusiasts that a panther could eat a mustang in the wild.
3. The Stories About its Logo Remain Unconfirmed
Chevrolet’s logo was released in 1913, but the reason behind it remains a mystery. William C. Durant, the co-founder himself, said that it was inspired by the wallpaper of a French hotel he stayed at. Durant’s daughter claims he chose it from among many doodles. His wife, however, offers something more sinister: that he stole the logo from a compressed coal company.
4. The 2006 Chevy Silverado Intimidator is Their Rarest Truck
Only 1,333 units of this line were ever released to the public. It currently averages $45,000 in price on the market, but this special tribute to Dale Earnhardt’s passing in the 2001 Daytona 500 is a staple in any Chevy enthusiast’s collection.
5. The 2020 Corvette Has the Engine in the Middle
The main thing that sets the 2020 Chevy Corvette apart is its engine is in the middle and behind the cockpit. Since its introduction, the Corvette has been a crowd favorite. As a result, it has revolutionized its capacity as a sports car.
This same line of vehicles has won the twenty-four hours of Les Mans seven times, proving Chevy’s engineering excellence.
6. Chevrolet Bought GM Years After its Founding
In 1915, Chevrolet spent over $60 million to buy GM stock in a dramatic hostile takeover that changed the course for both companies.
7. Chevy Flopped Had an Engineering Flop
In 1923, Chevy released the Copper-Cooled models, which featured air-cooled engines. These vehicles were seen as an engineering failure, with only 100 models sold of the 759 manufactured. Charles Ketterling designed this vehicle, though his reputation as a brilliant engineer never suffered as a result.
Final Thoughts
Few things are as iconically American as the Chevrolet brand. It has been living proof of American ingenuity for over a hundred years, especially with its incredible history and legendary lines of vehicles. These facts are just a testament to the longevity of this automotive institution.
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