Flint in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Louis Chevrolet

Building a Reputation for Racing

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

1. Louis Chevrolet Marker

Inscription. From bicycles to automobiles, his life was defined by speed. Born in 1878, Louis Chevrolet grew up in Switzerland and France and raced and repaired bicycles before following a fascination with automobiles to America in 1900. His success in auto racing caught the attention in Flint of Buick owner Billy Durant, and he began racing and designing for Buick in 1909. Chevrolet then joined fortunes with Durant to found the Chevrolet Motor Company, but by 1915 he left his namesake company and missed its later prosperity. He returned to race cars, driving in four Indy 500s before his death at age 63 in 1941.

You Auto Know Louis Chevrolet drove a Buick in the first Indianapolis 500 race in 1911.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 43° 0.989′ N, 83° 41.459′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker is at the intersection of Saginaw Street and East Kearsley Street, on the right when traveling north on Saginaw Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 E Kearsley St, Flint MI 48502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. Automotive Pioneers (here, next to this marker); William C. Durant (a few steps from this marker); Albert Champion (a few steps from this marker); David Dunbar Buick (a few steps from this marker); William "Billy" Durant (a few steps from this marker); David Buick (a few steps from this marker); Charles Stewart Mott (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Charles Stewart Mott (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.

Louis Chevrolet Marker located behind his statue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

2. Louis Chevrolet Marker located behind his statue.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

3. Louis Chevrolet Marker

Inset photo (Top left) caption: Louis Chevrolet in a Frontenac race car at the Sheepshead Bay Speedway, a converted horse track in Brooklyn, New York on June 1, 1918. After leaving the Chevrolet Motor Company, he was banned from using his name on another vehicle, so he named his new company Frontenac Motors after an historic governor of French Canada. Photo courtesy of Matin Sinzig.

Frontenac Car image. Click for full size.

Public domain, 1921

4. Frontenac Car

Tommy Milton, winner of the 1921 Indy 500, at the wheel of his Frontenac race car before the start of the race. To his right, Barney Oldfield and Louis Chevrolet.
Indianapolis "Official Sppeedway Photo", Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.