Arthur Chevrolet Memorial - April 27th Slidell Louisiana
Arthur Chevrolet was an automotive pioneer, and worked closely with his brother Louis at the Buick race team from 1909-1911. He also had an important role in the early years of the Chevrolet Motor Company. For many years it was thought that he was buried in Indianapolis next to his brothers, but actually his final resting place is in Slidell Louisiana. A monument to his memory will be dedicated on April 27th, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Slidell. The program is scheduled for 10:30 AM, and the public is invited to attend. More details on the ceremony will be posted as they become available.
In late 1942 Arthur left Cummins Diesel in Columbus Indiana, and joined forces with Preston Tucker at Higgins Industries in New Orleans. Art had collaborated with Tucker several years earlier, when he was hired to assist the Miller-Ford team at the 1935 Indianapolis 500. Originally Tucker & Higgins planned on building C-76 wooden cargo planes in New Orleans, but the government contract to build those planes was cancelled in the summer of 1943. Tucker then left Higgins Industries, but Arthur soldiered on, and worked on various marine power plants in New Orleans during the war. According to interviews with family members, Art tested PT boats in Lake Pontchartrain, and also worked on diesel engines during World War 2. Higgins boats were instrumental in America’s victory over the Axis powers, and saw action on the beaches of Normandy, and the sands of Iwo Jima.
Higgins Industries folded shortly after the war concluded in 1945, and Art was without a job. He spent his final years in Slidell, and after battling with depression took his own life in the spring of 1946. Arthur Chevrolet’s accomplishments in the field of automobile racing were most impressive. His Fronty Ford cylinder heads made it possible for a man of modest means to compete in the sport of automobile racing. Legendary drivers such as Frank Lockhart, Wilbur Shaw, Fred Frame, Lou Schneider, Kelly Petillo, Rex Mays, and George Souders all started their careers in Fronty Ford equipment.
Thanks to the hard work of Slidell historian John Case, and the good folks at the Indiana Racing Memorial Association for making this event possible, and for preserving Arthur Chevrolet’s legacy.
Too bad the dedication was not on Saturday, April 28. The VCCA Southern Spring Tour with approx. 50 Chevrolets 1954 and earlier ends on Friday evening in Natchez, Mississippi. Folks are heading home on Saturday morning. Maybe a few will travel to Slidell to visit the memorial???
I agree that Friday morning is not the most convenient time. I'm going to be taking off from work that day to be there. That being said, a lot is going on that weekend with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival taking place.
I received a nice e-mail from Historian John Case, and the Arthur Chevrolet Monument dedication ceremony is still set for Friday Morning April 27th at 10:30AM. The weather forecast for this Friday is fair skies, and mild temperatures. If you are interested I hope you can attend.
