Arthur Chevrolet. Originally in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Collection of the The IUPUI University Library, in conjunction with Indiana University. Photo taken pre-1923, so copyright lapsed. JPEG copyright, Richard Jenkins, 2013.
Born:
25 Apr 1884 La Chaux de Fond
Died:
16 Apr 1946 Slidell, Louisiana, USA
Nationality:
Switzerland
Indy 500s:
2 (1911-1916)
All three brothers, Arthur, Gaston and Louis later moved to the US and took out citizenship. Later worked with surviving brother Louis to form the Chevrolet Aircraft company. As well as being behind the Frontenac car, Arthur was head of the manufacturing plant behind the hugely commercial success that was the eight-valve push-rod head for the Model T Ford - the Fronty Fords. Committed suicide after battling depression. Sadly this great man, the last of the three brothers to die, was buried in an unmarked grave in Slidell.
Biography last updated 13 Jul 2015
driver
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Arthur Chevrolet
Complete name: Arthur Emil Chevrolet
Birth date: 21.Apr.1884
Birth Place: La Chaux-de-Fonds, NE, Switzerland
Death date: 16.Apr.1946
Death Place: Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, LA, United States
Nationality: United States
Gender: male
Notes:
Arthur Chevrolet 1884 - 1946
Arthur Chevrolet at the wheel of his Buick with riding mechanic Albert Seraye, before the start of the Indianapolis 500, 30 May 1911. Author unknown, Chevy Europe collection, public domain.
One of three Swiss-born brothers whose surname is synonymous with American automobiles, Arthur Chevrolet was an automotive pioneer and a talented race car driver who competed in the first Indy 500 in 1911.
Born in 1884 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Arthur Chevrolet was the second of seven children - along with brothers Alfred, Arthur and Gaston, and three daughters, Fanny, Berthe and Marthe - of Joseph Chevrolet, a watchmaker who at the end of 1887 moved with his wife Marie-Anne, to France. The Chevrolets settled in Beaun •
Arthur Chevrolet
25/4/1884 - 16/4/1946
Record updated 16-Apr-07
One of the three Chevrolet brothers. Born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchatel, Switzerland, later moved to the US & took out citizenship.
Arthur was the middle brother of Louis (1878-1941) and Gaston Chevrolet (1892-1920). After brother Louis emigrated to America and earned enough money, he sent for Gaston and Arthur to join him. Once there, Arthur worked as an automotive mechanic and started racing with his brother.
In 1911, he raced in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 but went out after 30 laps when his Buick developed mechanical problems.
In 1916, Arthur became a partner with his brothers in the Frontenac Motor Corporation. Driving a Frontenac, he qualified for the Indianapolis 500 again in 1916, but was forced out after 35 laps when the car developed magneto problems.
His driving career ended during practise for the 1920 Indianapolis 500 when he was severely injured in a crash. Gaston went on to win the race.
A few months later Gaston was killed when he crashed on lap 146 of a race at the Los A