The oldest of the three Chevrolet brothers, Louis started out repairing bicycles in France before emigrating to Canada and then to the U.S. A talented mechanic, he began working in the emerging automobile manufacturing business and founded the Chevrolet Motor Car Co.

However, Louis severed ties with the company in 1915 and never benefitted financially from the iconic car company that still bears his name.

Louis sometimes competed as a driver, but had more success as a car builder. No longer able to use his own name on his cars, Chevrolet named them Frontenacs. His brother Gaston drove a Fontenac to win the 1920 Indianapolis 500. In the 1921 race, another Frontenac won, this time driven by Tommy Milton.