Chevrolet, the big-name American automobile brand, was established over a century ago. Before he designed automobiles, the Swiss-born Louis Chevrolet, the original maker of Chevrolet, drove race cars. The original founder of General Motors, William Durant, pursued a business partnership with Louis Chevrolet and started to build Chevrolet’s automobile designs in 1911. The independent Chevrolet brand joined the General Motors company in 1916 after Durant bought a significant portion of GM stock, making Durant president.

Riding on the Coattails of Ford

In the beginning, all of the Chevrolet designs were based on automobiles manufactured by Ford. However, Chevy was gaining a reputation for its innovative technological designs and unparalleled styling. In order to compete with Ford’s famous Model-T, Durant and Chevrolet built two important Chevy cars that began its long-standing line of V8 engine models: the 1914 “Classic Six” and Model D Roadster.

The “Bow Tie” Logo

In 1913, Chevrolet implemented its “bow tie” logo. Rumors state that Durant created this logo from wallpaper used in a hotel in France. This logo became instantly recognizable and helped play a role in catapulting the Chevrolet brand into the American automobile industry. Today, each vehicle, including the sought-after Corvette, is equipped with this logo.

The 1950s and 1960s

The 1950s and 1960s were good to Chevrolet. This brand had a massive influence over American automobiles created in the mid-1900s. Take the Bel Air as an example. First built in 1953, the Chevy Bel Air was known for its interior and exterior chrome molding that was quickly utilized on virtually every popular model from the 1950s-1960s.

Although its been over 50 years, many mid-1950s Chevy models are popular today, especially among car collectors. One such model is the 1955 Chevy that came in 2-door, 4-door, hardtop coupe and convertible styles. Due to this model’s refined look and chrome accents, it was thought to be superior in design in comparison to the Plymouth or the Ford. Also, Chevrolet continues to use engine innovations created in the 1950s such as fuel-injection and small-block, V8 engines.

The Camaro

In 1964, Chevrolet hit a milestone unsurpassed by other American manufacturers by producing over three million automobiles in a single year. And in 1966, Chevy introduced a new model: the Camaro. After just a year of production, the Chevrolet Camaro became a huge hit and joined the ranks of other beloved “pony cars.”

Even today, the Camaro and 1955 Bel Air are still two cars every collector wants to get their hands on. Over time, Chevrolet has earned owner loyalty with drivers who showcase 30-40 year old models in car shows and on the roads. This brand’s classic appeal and durability have stood the test of time.

Take a minute to check out this great infographic below about Chevrolet in Popular culture…