Difference between revisions of "Arthur Chevrolet"

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[[Image:1996_Caprice_9C1.JPG|right|thumb|300px|1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1]]
Arthur Chevrolet, ([[April 25]], [[1884]] – [[April 16]], [[1946]]) was a [[Swiss American]] racecar driver and automobile manufacturer.
[[Image:2001_impala_9C1.JPG|right|thumb|300px|2001 Chevrolet Impala 9C1 used by a private security firm]]


'''9C1''' is [[Chevrolet]]'s Special Equipment Options (SEO) code for a police package vehicle. The 9C1 package has heavier-duty (HD) features over a non-police vehicle as well as some options specific to the installation of police equipment. The Chevrolet [[Chevrolet Nova|Nova]], [[Chevrolet Malibu|Malibu]], [[Chevrolet Caprice|Caprice]], [[Chevrolet Impala|Impala]], [[Chevrolet Tahoe|Tahoe]], and [[Chevrolet Camaro|Camaro]] have all been available with Police Package options. Some of the models are designated by different SEO codes, such as [[B4C]] for the Camaro Police vehicle.
Born in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]], [[Canton of Neuchâtel|Neuchatel]], [[Switzerland]], he was the middle brother of [[Louis Chevrolet|Louis]] (1878-1941) and [[Gaston Chevrolet]] (1892-1920). After brother Louis imigrated to [[United States|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.  


HD features include full perimeter steel frame (there is debate as to whether the 9C1 Caprice uses a thicker frame than the civilian car; GM replacement frame part numbers for the civilian auto and the 9C1 Caprice are the same); oversized front and rear sway bars; full-size spare tire (in the case of the last-generation [[1994]]-[[1996|96]] Caprice Classic police car); high-output alternator; lifetime-rated green [[silicone]] coolant hoses; four-wheel disc brakes; HD steel wheels and speed-rated tires; separate engine, power steering and transmission oil coolers; certified digital speedometer; stiffer body mounts and more of them; true dual exhaust; anti-stab steel plates in the front seat backs; performance 3.08 final drive ratio (3.23 w/std. 200 hp/245 ft·lbf L99 [[V8]] 4.3 L (265 cid) SFI engine); and extra wiring for the emergency equipment. The 260 hp/330 ft·lbf cast iron head, sequential multiport fuel injection, reverse-cooled, Corvette-derived [[LT1]] 5.7 L (350 cid) [[V8]] was a popular option for these final years and helped make the '94-'96 9C1 Chevrolet Caprice Classic one of the fastest and best-regarded police cars in US history.
In 1916, Gaston Chevrolet became a partner with his brothers in the [[Frontenac (automobile)|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.


9C1 is also the code for "police pack" [[Holden Commodore]]s in Australia, which can be equipped with the 5.7 litre Chevrolet engine, that made the '''9C1''' so popular and has been touted as a possible Successor to replace the Crown Victoria in police fleets.
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==
<table><tr valign=top>
<td>
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Year
!Car
!Start
!Qual
!Rank
!Finish
!Laps
!Led
!Retired
|-
![[1911 Indianapolis 500|1911]]
|16
|14
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|36
|30
|0
|Mechanical
|-
![[1916 Indianapolis 500|1916]]
|7
|11
|87.740
|12
|18
|35
|0
|Magneto
|-
|colspan=6|'''Totals'''
|65
|0
|
|}
</td>
<td>
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Starts
|2
|-
!Poles
|0
|-
!Front Row
|0
|-
!Wins
|0
|-
!Top 5
|0
|-
!Top 10
|0
|-
!Retired
|2
|}
</td>
</tr></table>
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.gmfleet.com/government/products/police.jsp GM Fleet and Commercial - Government - Police Vehicles]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22148 Arthur Chevrolet's Gravesite]
*[http://www.9c1.us www.9C1.us]
 
*[http://www.capricecars.com]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chevrolet, Arthur}}
*[http://www.9c1.net]
[[Category:1884 births]]
[[Category:1946 deaths]]
[[Category:American racecar drivers]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Automotive pioneers]]
[[Category:Businesspeople who committed suicide]]
[[Category:Chevrolet]]
[[Category:Chevrolet]]
[[Category:Police vehicles]]
[[Category:Indy 500 drivers]]
 
[[Category:Motorsport racers who committed suicide]]
[[it:9C1]]
[[Category:National Sprint Car Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:People from the Canton of Neuchâtel]]
[[Category:Sportspeople who committed suicide]]
[[Category:Suicides by hanging in the United States]]
[[Category:Suicides in Louisiana]]

Latest revision as of 18:34, 3 February 2009

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

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1911 16 14 — — 36 30 0 Mechanical
1916 7 11 87.740 12 18 35 0 Magneto
Totals 65 0
Starts 2
Poles 0
Front Row 0
Wins 0
Top 5 0
Top 10 0
Retired 2

External links

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