In the year 1911, two gentlemen from Detroit Michigan decide to combine their efforts for the automobile industry.
Louis Chevrolet and William Durant launched a trio of interrelated ventures, the Mason Motor company, the Little Motor Company and the Chevrolet Motor Car Company.
The companies first automobiles were the Little Four and Six and Chevrolet’s Six Type C Classic and Model H.
Although these autos provided basic transportation, it was the Chevrolet 490 with electric lights and self starter that ignited the buyers attention.
The 490 was announced on December 16, 1914, shown at the New York Auto Show January 1915, and Placed on sale June 1, 1915.
Most adults in America knew you could buy a Ford Model T for exactly 490 dollars.
Within two and half weeks of putting the new car on the market the Chevrolet Motor Company had accepted orders, all secured by cash deposits, for 46,611 brand new 490 automobiles.
The 490 was assembled in franchised plants throughout the country to reduce costs and speed deliveries, offering a superior car to the Model T at a competitive price.
During the summer of 1914 more than 1000 new orders were received every day.
William Durant loved to say A Little child can sell it.
Six weeks after the 490 went on sale the price of the Ford Model T was reduced to $440.
In essence the 490 was the 4 cylinder Chevrolet stripped to the bare essentials, put on a 102 inch wheelbase and offered in any color so long as it was black.
A simplified version of the Chevy 4 cylinder 170.9 cubic inch Model H engine, the engine of the 490 developed 20 horse power, the same as the Ford Model T.
In almost three years Louis Chevrolet and William Durant brought the company to fourth place in sales and by 1916 produced 62,898 automobiles.
Chevrolet became a part of General Motors in 1918 and during its first year with the corporation sold 80,434 Wonder Cars.
Source by Nina Green