Chevrolet through the years

2011-Chevrolet-Centenn85.jp(1).jpg — GM Company

Chevrolet is celebrating its 100th birthday. The iconic American brand was "born" on Nov. 3, 1911, in Detroit.

"Chevrolet 100, An American Journey," a film by Roger Sherman, explores Chevrolet's impact on American culture during the past 100 years.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevrolet began when the founder of General Motors, William C. Durant (seen here) and the man whose name would become synonymous with the car -- Louis Chevrolet -- formed an automotive brand to compete against Henry Ford and his mighty Model T.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

By 1927, Chevy briefly overtook Ford as the industry sales leader. Ironically, Louis Chevrolet (seen here) had sold his stock to Durant only three years after the product's inception.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Louis Chevrolet

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevrolet began the 100-day countdown to its 100th birthday by reviewing nearly 1,000 historic vehicles at the GM Tech Center campus in Warren, Mich. Chevrolet's 100th birthday is Nov. 3, 2011.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

1911_14_nameplate_X37726.jp.jpg — GM Company

Chevrolet script nameplate was designed for Chevrolet co-founder Louis Chevrolet's original 1911-1914 Type C, and is also known as the "Classic Six."

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Sporting Chevrolet's bow-tie emblem, the $750 Series H Royal Mail roadster for 1914 was an affordable 4-cylinder car that appealed to young buyers.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

A 1916 rendition of the original Chevrolet bow-tie badge, which was introduced in late 1913 by William C. Durant on a trio of new-for-1914 Chevrolet models.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Arriving in the midst of the Great Depression, the 1932 Chevrolets were powered by a Cast-Iron Wonder 6-cylinder engine. The '32s were advertised as "The Great American Value."

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevrolet's bow-tie logo, as it appeared in 1934 advertising.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Engineering bow-tie logo, as it appeared in 1940s and early 1950s publications.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevy's original steel-bodied, truck-based Suburban Carryallof (1935-36) provided an SUV-like alternative to wood-bodied wagons.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

GM's first vehicles after World War II included the 1948 Chevy's Advance Design trucks. GM notes the vehicles "were reliable, versatile and modern. The 3100 pickup was the farmer and workingman's four-wheeled friend."

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

In the days when fresh fruits and veggies were sold curbside, vendors favored Canopy Express models, such as this '49 Chevy truck.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevrolet bow-tie logo, as it appeared in 1957-1959 print advertising.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

1959-Hist-ConCorvette-07.jp.jpg — GM Company

The 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept model, photographed in a studio.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

1959-Hist-ConCorvette-16.jp.jpg — GM Company

The 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept model, photographed in a studio.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

1959-Hist-ConCorvette-84.jp.jpg — GM Company

The 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept model, photographed in a studio.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

According to GM, "After crowds thronged the Corvette concept roadster at the 1953 GM Motorama, Chevrolet put the fiberglass-bodied two-seater into production - and thus began the saga of America's sports car."

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

The 1955 Bel Air featured sleek styling, an improved chassis and a 265-cid Turbo-Fire V-8 -- the first of Chevy's small-block V-8s.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

The 1955-57 Chevy Nomad.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevrolet's bow-tie logo, as it appeared in 1960s print advertising.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

The Beach Boys even sang harmonies to Chevy. Seen here is the '63 Impala Super Sport.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Based on a sports racer imagined by GM design chief Bill Mitchell, the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray's styling was enhanced by a new chassis and available fuel-injected V-8s.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

The 1967 Chevy pickup.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

A 1969 Z28 Camaro was featured in Trans Am racing and was an Indy 500 pace car.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

GM notes, "The 1970 El Camino SS pickup combined pickup utility with muscle car looks and power."

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

The muscle car era reached its peak in 1970, as Chevelle SS power climbed to record highs. With the optional 450-hp V-8 engine, it could top 100 mph in 13.3 seconds.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

In 1971, GM upgraded the Cheyenne with a premium trim package. GM notes the vehicle was a "delight (to) buyers seeking a spiffy truck to tow their recreational equipment."

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevy's Stepside boxes, like this 1974 C/10 Stepside, was offered from 1955 to 2003. This model features custom paint and wheels.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevrolet's bow-tie logo, as it appeared in 1977-1979 print advertising.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevrolet's bow-tie graphic, as it appeared in conjunction with 1985's "Heartbeat of America" ad campaign.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

One of the 24 pre-production ZR-1 Corvettes, as seen at a 1989 press preview.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

The fourth-generation Camaro was introduced in 1993. A special-edition '93 Z28 paced that year's Indy 500. It was the fourth time the Camaro was the official pace car.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

A 1994-96 Impala SS.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

The fifth-generation (C5) 1997 Corvette Coupe.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

The red-outline Chevrolet Motorsports bow-tie logo, as seen in 2000-2001.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

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Beginning with the 2004 Malibu, the Chevrolet gold bow-tie badge was phased in for use on Chevrolet cars, as well as trucks.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevylogojune2010LG_4C70.jp.jpg — GM Company

The current Chevrolet global gold bow-tie logo, which appears in a badge form on Chevrolet cars and trucks produced and marketed in 120 countries.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevy's 2008 Hybrid Tahoe. Its 2-mode hybrid system channels gas and electric power through an electronically variable transmission.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Chevy's current Camaro model.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Battery-powered for the first 25 to 50 miles after charging up, the electric-powered Chevy Volt's on-board generator automatically provides additional electricity to continue on for another 300 miles, when needed.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

General Motors employee Michael Burrows assembles a 6-speed transmission on Oct. 21, 2011, in Warren, Mich. GM announced it will invest $325 million at the plant in tools and equipment to support production of future electric vehicle components, creating or retaining 418 jobs. The plant in suburban Detroit has 679 total employees, most of whom produce transmissions for the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia crossovers and the Chevrolet Malibu sedan.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

Corvette's 2012 Centennial Special Edition includes Carbon Flash Metallic black paint with red accents, satin-black lightweight wheels, an ebony interior with red stitching, and Chevy 100 logos inside and out.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

2011-Chevrolet-Centenn00.jp.jpg — GM Company

A member of a low-riders club in Phoenix appears with his vehicle in "Chevy 100, An American Story," a film by Roger Sherman.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

2011-Chevrolet-Centenn24.jp.jpg — GM Company

Don Williams, president of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America, appears in "Chevy 100, An American Story," a film by Roger Sherman.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

2011-Chevrolet-Centenn48.jp.jpg — GM Company

Ed Welburn, vice president, GM global design, talks with students from Detroit's College for Creative Studies during the filming of "Chevy 100, An American Story," a film by Roger Sherman.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet

2011-Chevrolet-Centenn96.jp.jpg — GM Company

Tara Bush from Orlando, Fla., is featured with her 1957 Chevrolet in "Chevy 100, An American Story," a film by Roger Sherman.

Chevrolet turns 100
Chevrolet