Learn the History of Chevrolet, from 1911 to Today

Sid Dillon offers the Chevrolet brand to our customers. We have Chevy dealers in Blair, Crete, Fremont, and Wahoo, NE, so visit us today to find yours!

2020 Chevrolet Malibu Grille

The Early History of Chevrolet

The year was 1911 and on a November day in Detroit, Michigan, Chevy history would be made. General Motors (GM) founder Billy Durant and Louis Chevrolet, a race car driver, would combine their knowledge of cars and business to create the Chevrolet brand. The company was named after Louis Chevrolet; as Durant thought it would be good for business to be associated with a race car driver of the day. Chevrolet was well known and had a reputation for being a daring driver. He set the land speed record in 1905 after reaching speeds of 111 mph. Both men lost their fortunes during the Depression but both companies—Chevrolet and GM—have survived the test of time. Durant passed away in 1947 at the age of 86 and Chevrolet passed in 1941 at the age of 63.


1913 – Chevrolet Offers Its First Car

The first car in the history of Chevrolet was the Series C Classic Six. It was powered by a 4.9L 6-cylinder engine and reached a top speed of about 65 mph. It sold for $2,150 or nearly $70,000 today when adjusted for inflation. In 1913, the Chevrolet bowtie logo was created. While its origins are disputed, it is widely accepted that Durant was inspired by the wallpaper design in a Parisian hotel he was staying at in 1913.

The Trusted Brand of Modern Drivers: Recent Chevrolet Awards & Accomplishments

Chevrolet has paved the way for many companies throughout the years, collecting awards and recognition along the way. A more recent accomplishment in Chevy history was being the first car company to bring built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi to vehicles in 2015! It’s still an available feature in every new Chevrolet today, and the brand continues to make great strides with standard driver-assist safety features in many of its new vehicles, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Forward Collision Alert.

A large portion of Chevy history has focused on gasoline-powered vehicles, but the brand has had no problem keeping up with the greener desires of today’s drivers. The Bolt EV and Bolt EUV are two of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market today, and the Chevy EV lineup is soon expanding to offer more versatility with an Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and even a Silverado EV!

Every year, Chevrolet adds more awards to its shelf. Almost every model in the lineup is recognized by industry awards and accolades — here are some of the more recent Chevrolet awards:

  • Corvette: 2021 Car and Driver 10Best Winner
  • Camaro: 2023 NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score
  • Silverado: 2023 NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score
  • Colorado: 2020 KBB Best Buy Award (Midsize Pickup)
  • Suburban: 2021, 2022, and 2023 U.S. News Best Large SUV for Families
  • Blazer: 2023 NHTSA 5-Sar Overall Vehicle Score
  • Equinox: 2023 NHTSA 5-Sar Overall Vehicle Score
  • Trailblazer: 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Chevrolet: 100+ Years In Business – An American Manufacturer – A World-Wide Brand

Over a century has passed, and Chevrolet is still going strong. Thanks to iconic cars like the 1953 Corvette, 1955 Bel Air Sport Coupe, 1969 Camaro, 1970 El Camino SS, 1970 Chevelle SS, and countless others, the brand is recognized around the world for its American ingenuity, quality, and performance innovation. But while vintage collectors seek out these historic models to show off at car shows and on the occasional joy ride, the modern everyday driver can also find something to love in the current Chevy lineup! If you’re in the market for a new car, truck, or SUV that will make your daily travels thoroughly more enjoyable, consider these new Chevy options.

Become a Part of Chevy History with Sid Dillon!

Whether you’re interested in a new or pre-owned model, you can become a part of the history of Chevrolet at a Sid Dillon dealership near you! We’ll get you behind the wheel of a Chevrolet award winner for a price that feels right. Looking for more information on Chevrolet models? Check out the “Chevrolet Information” section of our online manufacturer research hub for more details about specific Chevy models and features!