VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Origin of "CHEVY"

This is something I've wondered about for a while, and maybe someone out there knows the answer.

When was the shortened word "CHEVY" first used in place of "CHEVROLET"?
How did it originate, and who can it be attributed to?

I know Dinah Shore sang it in the Chevy song, "See The USA In Your Chevrolet", copyright 1950. I also have a recording of the song "Chevrolet Six", recorded in 1929, that uses the word Chevy a number of times.

Does anyone else know of earlier written or recorded uses of the word Chevy?

SPEEDLINE

Speedline,

I'm betting Ken K. will have something to say about this, when he gets back.....

I would expect "Chevy" was invented even before that. Like almost immediately.

How long does it take "Jonathan" to become "Johnny" or "Donald" to become "Donnie?"

It may well have been a nickname for Louis Chevrolet or one of his brothers BEFORE the car was born.....

That was what I was trying to say.......... immediately! if not sooner.......

I can't recall ever seeing it used on early "official" sales literature. I tried searching early celluloid pinbacks, but didn't have much luck, and all in my collection say Chevrolet. I wonder when GM actually accepted it as "proper" and used it in their advertising?

Good point on the Jonathan/Johnny comparison, the public probably did shorten it immediately. It would be interesting to find recorded proof of it being accepted before 1929.

I thought Ken K. might have the answer, too, but I wasn't sure if he frequented here (don't know his moniker).

SPEEDLINE

I don't know off hand when the 'Chevy' term usage started?
I don't recall seeing it mentioned in the pre 1925 literature or advertisements.
kenk
In Syndey, Australia

Interesting question, for sure. Do ya think American folks had a problem with the French pronounciation of Chevrolet? Is the "t" silent? Maybe the "y" is some sort of alphabet subsitute for "rolet". It must have happened right away. Could it be the little bow ties on the wall paper in Louis's hotel room were called "chevies"?
MMMMM.....
RGwiz

I bet Billy Durant made up that story about the wallpaper because he didn't want any trouble from the makers of Coalettes.

I know the "Coalettes" story. There has also been a lot of discussion on the fact that "Coalette" starts with "C" ends with "et" (kinda) etc.

Mrs. Durant (and daughter Durant) disputed the french wallpaper story, as you probably know. Mrs. D said it was from the Coalette ad he saw. He always maintained the wallpaper story, though.

The thing is, if they had given old Billy D. any trouble, he woulda just bought the company!!!

Good thing GM used Chevrolet instead of Coalette. We all could have been driving a Coaly.

Although, driving a Louie would be cool!