The TRAGIC Life of Louis Chevrolet | A Classic Car Documentary

The TRAGIC Life of Louis Chevrolet | A Classic Car Documentary
Who was Louis Chevrolet? Discover the tragic life of Louis Chevrolet, the man behind the iconic Chevrolet brand, in this classic car documentary. Learn about his legacy and the history of Frontenac Motors. Who Is Louis Chevrolet? Discover the tragic life of Louis Chevrolet in this classic car documentary. Learn about the man behind Chevrolet motors and his impact on the automotive industry. #chervolet #louischevrolet #chevy
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00:00 History of Louis Chevrolet
01:08 Young Louis Chevrolet
05:32 American Dream
09:15 Fame And Racing
14:06 William Durant
15:33 Buick
17:00 General Motors
18:03 Birth of Chevrolet
23:16 Frontenac
26:00 Fronty Fords
27:56 Rise of Chevy
29:24 Corvette
30:04 Camaro
~~~
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COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:-
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.”
DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes. The events described and shown should be treated as a recollection of events. Summations and lapses are made for the purposes of storytelling and clarity.

[@bucheronix]

To say he was passionate about mechanics is an understatement. Great video!

[@davidwillis5016]

Thanks

[@bob456fk6]

I never heard this story before. Thank you. All his life my dad would not consider any car but a Chevy.

[@PatrickBaptist]

All my life I would not consider a chevy, the 2 times I did resulted in my Wife getting so mad that she said she would never get into another chevy with me again, that was 6-7 years ago, doesn't look like I'll ever try another, I know some people have had good ones, but I've never had a single GM product that wasn't like a rock, only moved when rolling down hill or you pushed it with something. I've never been screwed so many times on the side of the road than by a good ol 454.....

[@chrishensley6745]

How old are you? @@PatrickBaptist

[@PatrickBaptist]

@@chrishensley6745 Early 40s, going on about 15 lol.

[@melissacarterpresley5786]

@PatrickBaptist, You have a real gift for writing fiction.

[@PatrickBaptist]

@@melissacarterpresley5786 You can think what you want in your mind ma'am, it's just not reality and you just make me care. Hope your day goes better for ya tomorrow Ms. Presley thanks for the giggle.

[@PuzzlingGames]

A really great story. Felt sorry for him.

[@jaswmclark]

In the early 1960's a Journalist for Mechanis Illustrated located Louis Chevrolet's widow with the idea of writing an article for the 50th aniversary of the Chevrolet auyo mobile. When he asked her what she drove sge replyed, "A Mercury. They gave me a better deal."

[@scotttosta7941]

I really enjoyed this video about Chevrolet cars.I learned things and that's a good thing

[@richardbaumgart2454]

I would have at least drove a Chevrolet at least for the name sake if my last name was the same. Especially being drirectly linked to the manufacturer. Maybe she had bias against Chevrolet (GM), I kinda tink she might have been.

[@melissacarterpresley5786]

@jaswmclark, Citation or you made the entire thing up.

[@ronfox5519]

​@@melissacarterpresley5786 You gotta be a dude.

[@sonofelohim9857]

😂

[@andrewwoolner9845]

Missed a couple of key points, Durant was booted out of GM in 1909, then partnered with L. Chevrolet in 1911 where he bought out Louis in 1911 and used profits from Chevrolet to buy up GM shares and gain control of GM a second time in 1916.

[@classiccardocumentaries]

That part seemed too much about Durant for this video. But you are correct

[@aitorinarra]

Thank you for this video, very good!

[@Landrew0]

Kind words about Willy Durant, who embarked on the evil plan of buying out all the competition to gain a monopoly in car manufacture.

[@stevenwilliams1805]

I never was a Chevy fan but this gave me newfound respect for the man.

[@chrishensley6745]

Nice job on the Life of Louis...the ups/downs ..I,m 51 and have worked in high school at local parts store/then my auto mechanics teacher got me a job at local engine machine shop and then at 21 went to work at chevy as a mechanic.....through the years having to work on ALOT of diff. makes and models....dealing with parts.....seeing what engines last at machine shop....I,m a Chevy guy to the bone..56,chevy car..57 chev truck..68 and 70 chevelle and a 68 nova all fixed up and drive anytime I like...my daily driver is a 77 chev truck/95 z-71 4x4 still to this day while my wife drives a 13 malibu and daughter 16 equinox and son a 05 impala....I,m just a normal/hard working mechanic at my house garage and pick and choose on car repair here in East Tn. were the money is tight...I will always Love my Chevys......even though the past few years been rough on there engineers on the front wheel drive stuff/quality,I take pride what I drive and the people who built/designed them back in the day.Everything is screwed up now in America! If the Taliban built a car nowandays and it got 40 miles a gallon...there would be these Liberals lined up to buy one....America has lost production and pride sad.....but I will drive and enjoy my Chevys till I die!!! Thanks for sharing this story that only I have read in books years ago man.Take care..Chris from Elizabethton,Tn.

[@tomhaggard3352]

Chris thanks for sharing your story. I'm 74 and would never own anything but a Chevy Pick Up Truck. My whole family worked for GM at Delco Remy and Guide Lamp in Anderson Indiana. Just one thing...I'm a Liberal Democrat as are my family and relatives...we all drive GM Cars and Trucks and feel appreciative for all of the supporters of GM ....GM gave us very good lives. People of all races and backgrounds worked along side each other to build what at one time was the largest corporation in the world.

[@thewinefox213]

Very well done, thank you! I had no idea about this story and the history of Louis C!

[@JohnSmith-cf4gn]

I'm old and can say for sure that we had quality in the 1950s and 60s. Made to last.

[@JohnReitz-ps2ct]

Yes, last about 3 years and 80,000 miles.

[@donguess4332]

Made to last is correct. My 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS is still going strong after 60 years. I've had to replace a few minor parts after it got 100,000 miles on it. I rebuilt the engine around 200,000 miles and it's still running like a champ. It's easy to maintain and work on. Modern made crap doesn't last. Cars, appliances ect of today are junk

[@PatrickBaptist]

@@donguess4332 Gimmie a good ol 2003 7.3L powerstroke diesel, it's modern and can see 750k-1 million miles, I have one with over half a million and it runs better than any 50-60s GM new off the lot.....

[@chrishensley6745]

You darn right and you seen it/Lived it....I,m just 51...But still own my 56 chevy bel-air my Dad and I done in 1988 and still going strong along with my 57 chev 1/2 truck I have owned since 91....I will keep and enjoy them till I die.You grew up in Great/Strong America and people had pride in there work........now look where we stand,sad days.

[@PatrickBaptist]

@@chrishensley6745 51¿ LOL.

[@skyedog24]

The same thing happened to in Idaho potato Farmers son . Who arguably invented the first Rigby Idaho's farnsworth .. he was a child genius and he had the idea stolen from him. Through legal mumbo jumbo.

[@martinkurtz9269]

The bad guy in this case was Col. David Sarnoff.

[@Bob9961]

@ 29:34 the voice-over announced the manufacturing of the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, a model name that had been around since 1950, while plainly showing on screen a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe.

[@bryonhogg485]

Yeah - And he showed a clip from a movie " Killers of the Flower Moon " - Wonder if he got permission to use it

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting/informative/entertaining.

[@onrycodger]

Wow! That's Heavy annd Far Out brother! Thumbs up!😎👍

[@returnofthenative]

I like Holden, him my favourite.

[@72plyduster1]

You get an A for effort but a E+ execution.LOL 0:26

[@False_Death]

500th like and well deserved for such a fantastic and informative video sir! Great work. Instant subscription from me.

[@jeffday7465]

I know I've always had trouble with my engine's cinder block.

[@jeffrobodine8579]

I can see why if you now have a cinder block.

[@aljmann]

I’ll need more concrete data before I take you seriously…

[@PatrickBaptist]

LOL GM did some dumb things......

[@patricksullivan4329]

IOW, Louis Chevrolet had nothing to do with building the brand of car named Chevrolet. He simply sold the use of his name to what became General Motors.

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Wow that's interesting.😢

[@kc0lif]

but he did.

[@davidwright4537]

True

[@maxbrazel604]

So contradictory, as by selling the use of his name, ended up eventually by by bringing out the bow tie of Chevrolet, and yes might have been called General Motors, but Chevrolet still stands to this given day, regardless.

[@richardbaumgart2454]

I know he kicked himself everytime he saw a Chevrolet....he did start the brand and he was a famous racer...he could of stayed partners with Durant and been rich af.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

GM screwed him over big time.

[@allthings2allmen]

A BIG cup of 'Swiss miss!' This sort of stuff really fumes me, but what can ya do? They could have helped him but, what was really important?

[@tonyaxeman4381]

Never heard of the Fronty

[@hanshans8612]

Only 40k views. Keep it up and it will be 400k. Very informative my man.

[@markmartin5765]

Great story,his life should be reported as a success,he excelled at everything thing he did in the prim of his life,,not every person ends their life at the end on top,like best athletes don’t,and every good divorced man doesn’t either, Too soon?

[@Niterider73]

I don't know if people actually like feel really bad that he didn't get any compensation for the use of his name but in all honesty, he shouldn't have. That's what happens whenever you forfeit your shares and your name like that. No, you're not going to get any compensation... Keep in mind automotive industry but still pretty much in its infancy at this point. Big name companies for a long time for selling high-end luxury expensive models for the Rich and wealthy. These more or less were just a toy or a novelty for well-off individuals. People like Billy Durant and Henry Ford saw it differently. They wanted the average working person to have a vehicle. Obviously if you're going to build a cheap car for the mass people you're going to make more money at it. That's what business is all about making money.

[@brianhayes7618]

Did any of his children end up in racing?

[@Goodnewsglobal]

It seemed he was truly cursed I'm the later part of his life.. sad..

[@user-rx7ns4re9u]

I have a 55 Bel-Air

[@Mancozeb100]

@@kirdot2011🤦‍♂️

[@user-gw9sk1zy4s]

At the time, your 55 Bel-air was one of the best cars in the world. America was, in automotive manufacturing, a technical and engineering Goliath. What the hell happened?

[@brianhdueck3372]

Willy Durant was a visionary but lost General Motors not once but twice. Then died penniless in Europe. He was formidable but couldn’t hold it together. Fun fact, As a tribute to the Chevrolet Brothers / Ford racing association, in 1960 when Ford introduced the Falcon, they badged a Canadian only version called the Frontenac as tribute to the Frontenac Racing heritage they shared.

[@MrRobster1234]

At 20:42 the lady in the front seat is Mrs. Cliff Durant. She was Adelaide Frost of Grand Rapids. After Cliff died she married Captain Eddy Rickenbacker. She shot herself at age 91.

[@basedorthobrofren3724]

Note for edit @29:35 the Chevy Bel Air debuted in '50, not '57. (The car pictured as a '57 is actually a '55)

[@russmartin4189]

The Bel Air came out in 1956, not 57. My family had the 56, but the 57 is iconic for it's fins.

[@repete2362]

out sold by the 57 ford though

[@jeffrobodine8579]

My Grandmother had a 1959 with the gull wing fins.

[@russmartin4189]

@@jeffrobodine8579 If you had a red, yellow, or white, shiny one, they looked great. There were many that were not. Nothing looked uglier, than gray or military green.

[@tomluther4669]

The "Bel Air" name was first used in 1950. The car shown in the video is a 1955, not a 1957. The 1955 was iconic and introduced the first small block Chevy engine, but was not the first to have the "Bel Air" name.

[@russmartin4189]

@@tomluther4669 Your knowledge is better than my knowledge. The 1957 is an iconic car though. I think there are a lot of iconic models from the 50's.

[@Dons166]

See the USA in a Chevrolet

[@crosseyedbear1305]

The name of his home town is La-Chaux-de-Fonds, nothing to do with a pond. There still are people called Chevrolet living in that part of Switzerland. I assumed the logo was a stylized cross from the Swiss flag, but maybe I'm wrong.

[@markrossow6303]

it was a hotel's wallpaper pattern

[@user-gw9sk1zy4s]

The Chevrolet division of the General Moters Corporation was for 50 or more was the most successful and profitable automobile brand in the entire world. How the mighty have fallen.

[@user-gw9sk1zy4s]

50 years.

[@user-gw9sk1zy4s]

In the 1950s, a used Chevrolet brought $500 or more in resale than a comparable Ford or Chrysler product. In those days, GM products were better engineered and the market reflected that fact.

[@larrycole4438]

Wish gm would pay back the money they owe the government 😒

[@PatrickBaptist]

No joke, GM=Gov motors or General M0r0n.... Sick how much of our tax money that company sucks down, but I'd rather GM get it than the worthless military.

[@TheBlindPharmacist]

The best car company Ford did not take a dime.

[@gacattack1234]

Cheverolet invented a roll bar, this is different from an anti-roll bar.

[@TheOsfania]

3:30 that's 24 mph/38.6 kph

[@MichaelAdkins-cs2jy]

Where is Mott he was a bigger part of the gm story then Durant,,, growing up in vehicle city remembering chevy in the hole everything was named after cs mott

[@georgegonzalez2476]

Kinda weird to mix real grainy black and white movie film with oversaturated AI images and bold colored captions.

[@matrox]

Louis Chevelle Chevrolet Jr. The man the myth, the legend.

[@Scooch-cu6vo]

Don't forget the grandson llouis chevvette chevrolet...and granddaughter louette vega chevrolet..😅😅

[@Doug-mc3dd]

@@Scooch-cu6vo Or his Grandson Monte Carlo Chevrolet, And his twin niece and nephew Corvette and Biscayne Chevrolet.

[@kirbygriffin]

The documentarians have confused anti-roll bar with roll over bar. Not even close

[@bradleylovej]

I was wondering about that. I was like, oh he came up with the sway bar to help in cornering, cool. Wait, they're not talking about the suspension component?

[@TheMileswin]

Excellent video and well researched. I guess many American buyers didn't realise they were buying a French brand no different to Peugeot & Citroen.

[@PatrickBaptist]

Yeah I didn't know but now that I do I'm gonna make some patriotic GM owners cry. So only ferd was a real murikan brand of car lol.

[@chrishensley6745]

What brand do you drive? @@PatrickBaptist

[@PatrickBaptist]

@@chrishensley6745 None are french GMs lol.

[@markrossow6303]

'hood' is British for a cloth roof

[@daleolson3506]

Now they are doing their best to ruin the company.

[@Hotdaddy536]

It's already ruined. ... So Sad..

[@IAWAF]

In fairness, the United Auto Workers have had a lot to do with the struggles of American automakers, including General Motors. These American companies faced repeated strikes by UAW and other unions. To resolve strikes, these companies gradually acquiesced to union demands. The pensions and medical coverage for retirees and medical coverage and high pay to current workers led to the moniker, “Generous Motors”. Competition picked up from foreign makes, especially the Japanese. Eventually, a faltering American automaking industry had to join other auto manufacturers in no longer offering pensions, substituting employee-funded investment accounts to which the companies contribute. Still, GM, Ford and Chrysler continued to pay pensions and til-death health coverage to many retirees that foreign companies do not pay. Then, recently we saw US automakers again faced with strikes, while foreign automakers with production in US were not unionized and not subject to strikes or threats of strikes. Thus, US automakers continue to be at a competitive disadvantage, having burdensome costs and interruptions in work due to strikes. If GM and Ford end up folding, the unions certainly had a big hand in that.

[@markoberacher8191]

Better than a ford

[@Nationof300]

@@markoberacher8191 if so then why can’t they out sell ford 🤡🤡😂😂😂😂

[@bretfisher7286]

It most definitely is nothing to be proud of today, and this is coming from a lifelong Chevy fan. But if it's any consolation, what's going on in modern Chevrolet vehicles is going on around the world in automotive manufacturing. Complete nonsense. Horribly overcomplicated, and horribly uncoordinated in engineering and design, and actually patched together from global sources, all very doubtful for quality and integrity, and all highly corrupt, and all completely lacking in any dedication to name and honor and service to the buying public.

[@fortunehiller9591]

"cinder block"? Really?

[@derekcolvin9944]

I find it interesting how they were able to screw Chevrolet just like they've been screwing their consumers for the past 80 plus years

[@scottworelds2933]

Hotdog Sandwich

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Was this the same William Durant of Ariel and William Durant's 13 volumes on " The Development of Western Civilization??? Dandahermit

[@irvinmartin9595]

No that was a different William Durant

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Thanks

[@williamriedel1686]

No.

[@sjwoz]

The US didn't experience a depression-the world did.

[@kevwills858]

Lois Chevrolet had an ego bigger than himself .. hence ..

[@laurensiemens1436]

...and now every Chevrolet dealership rips you off. Others do too but this is Chevrolet movie

[@jeromebishsr.1394]

It is a shame you don't know the difference between 1956 and 1957 Belair

[@melissacarterpresley5786]

It's also a shame that you have nothing better to do than to troll on youtube to get attention.

[@tonycolca2241]

Henry Ford started Ford motor company he is credited Wirth starting Ford. Louis chevrolet was a well known race car driver Gm wanted a name that would catch people's attention. At first chevrolet did not compete with Ford it was a much higher line car. Later they began to compete with Ford and overall still produced a higher quality car.

[@darrylcampbell4411]

Louis Chevrolet was the man. Such a tragic end for such an amazing talented man. Clearly Durrant was just another Rich Prick concerned with only himself and money. RIP Louis. .... Chevy all the way.

[@markrossow6303]

*rollbar or roll-over bar = arch of pipe higher than the driver's head anti-roll bar = anti-sway bar is a solid rod torsion bar in a car's suspension

[@PatrickBaptist]

@24:05 The *CINDER BLOCK*? No wonder GMs are such junk, they use cinder blocks rather than cylinder blocks LOL, yeah cinder blocks aren't smooth enough, no wonder they wear out so fast.

[@chrishensley6745]

Go Work as a mechanic for a living at your local Ford Dealership and see how you like it there Hot dog....you aint old enough to even comment,you prob. drive a Ford or a Kia.

[@melissacarterpresley5786]

@PatrickBaptist, You really should rest your neck, you pretend Christian. You are nothing but a troll.. and not a very good one at that.

[@soilmanted]

Baseball bores me. Hot dogs make me nauseous. I like a slice of apple pie, now and then. Chevrolets, in the 1950's, were no worse than Fords. But Dinah Shore singing "See the USA in your Chevrolet" cloying.

[@faxmactory]

I hate how you say manufacturing

[@faxmactory]

Manna fakturing

[@MATT-cv8eo]

When doing a documentary on a subject, one should be sure the vehicle showing on video is the correct car. A 1957 Bel-Aire is ICONIC and should never be mistaken by a shot of a '56 A210 Chevy. Be careful, for someone who knows the right thing is likely watching.

[@davidwright4537]

This rendition of the story is full of holes. Poor at best and it makes Billy Durant out to be nothing but a promoter and thief. Totally wrong.

[@MrRobster1234]

Great video, but you butchered the name of every European car make.

[@JeffreyRachau]

When the Obama Administration took over GM (remember?),they were done. Louis would turn over in his grave,if he could see what has become of his baby. Screw Durant. He talked a good game, but all he really cared about was money - his.

[@jamesv9928]

That was a 56 not a 57 who you're trying to fool🥸

[@upandabove567]

Durant had hired chevrolet to built a car for him Louis left but could not take his name with him another smart move by Durant

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thanks for letting me know, GM/chevy is just as murikan as *french* fries LOL, so only ford was a true north amerikan car maker... I'm gonna make alot of patriotic GM owners scream no wonder GMs look so gay, they are french LOL.

[@chrishensley6745]

You like going slow I bet....and prob. hold one in your mouth till the swelling goes down by the way you look!

[@PatrickBaptist]

@@chrishensley6745 LOL, it'll be alright kiddo.

[@melissacarterpresley5786]

@chrishensley6745, You're not wrong. And if you look at his youtube channel, He tries to make the world believe he's a christian.

[@danokerr9929]

Better than ford since day 1

[@chrishensley6745]

True....Model A AND T was a glorified tractor.

[@danokerr9929]

@@chrishensley6745 too complicated to drive as well. The inside of a model t in comparison to a dodge brothers or cadilac was microscopic in comparison.