Arthur Chevrolet
Arthur Chevrolet, (April 25, 1884 – April 16, 1946) was a Swiss American racecar driver and automobile manufacturer.
Born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchatel, Switzerland, he was the middle brother of Louis (1878-1941) and Gaston Chevrolet (1892-1920). After brother Louis imigrated to America and earned enough money, he sent for Gaston and Arthur to join him. Once there, Arthur worked as an automotive mechanic and joined his brother in auto racing. In 1911, he competed in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 but had to drop out after 30 laps when his Buick developed mechanical problems.
In 1916, Gaston Chevrolet 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 practice rounds for the 1920 Indianapolis 500 when he was severely injured in a crash. Brother Gaston won that year's race but tragedy struck when Gaston was killed in a California race a few months later.
In 1929 Louis and Arthur Chevrolet left the auto business altogether to form the Chevrolet Brothers Aircraft Company with a new engine of their design but could not make a go of the business and it was eventually taken over by investors. Arthur Chevrolet then began building sprint type race cars and became one of the pioneer leaders in that field. In 1990, his efforts were recognized when he was named to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum.
Eventually Arthur Chevrolet retired to Slidell, Louisiana where, suffering from depression, he committed suicide by hanging in 1946.
Arthur Chevrolet is interred next to his brothers in the Roman Catholic Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Indy 500 results
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External links
- 1884 births
- 1946 deaths
- American racecar drivers
- American Roman Catholics
- Automotive pioneers
- Businesspeople who committed suicide
- Chevrolet
- Indy 500 drivers
- Motorsport racers who committed suicide
- National Sprint Car Hall of Fame
- People from the Canton of Neuchâtel
- Sportspeople who committed suicide
- Suicides by hanging in the United States
- Suicides in Louisiana