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() http://www.marylandaviationmuseum.org/news/05_fall/general_motors.html
Glenn L. Martin and Chevrolet
A little known fact in the Martin story is Mr. Martin’s brief collaboration with Louis Chevrolet, the man whose name would become instrumental in General Motors success. Louis Chevrolet was a Swiss-born racecar driver and mechanic who became known for his fearless driving style. He became famous driving Buick racecars and caught the attention of William Durant, founder of General Motors. Durant hired Chevrolet to design an automobile for the general public to compete with Ford’s Model-T. The Chevrolet Motor Company was born.
After a bitter disagreement with Durant, Chevrolet left the company selling the rights to his name to Durant. After several attempts to start new auto companies, Chevrolet and his brother Arthur left the business altogether. In 1929 they formed The Chevrolet Aircraft Company and were working in Baltimore producing 4 cylinder aircraft engines. Glenn L. Martin became acquainted with Louis through a mutual friend and soon agreed to make Mr. Chevrolet a Vice President of the newly formed Glenn L Martin Company in Baltimore. The Chevrolet Aircraft Company was sold to Martin for $175,000. Chevrolet eventually left Martin and returned to work for General Motors for a few years before his death in 1941.
Another GM-Martin connection was Glenn L. Martin’s 106-foot motor yacht the GlenMar. Martin bought the yacht from Laurence Fisher, who was the head of the Fisher Body Company, which eventually became part of General Motors.
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