Roy D. Chapin

Entrepreneur

Birthday February 23, 1880

Birth Sign Pisces

Birthplace Michigan

DEATH DATE Feb 16, 1936 (55)

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About

President of the American Motors Corporation from 1967 to 1977. He introduced to American car buyers the Jeep.

Before Fame

He was part of the business consortium that formed the Hudson Motor Company and helped the formation of its subsidiary the Essex car company.

Trivia

He was criticized for introducing a new line of cars at a time when their legacy models were struggling for relevance. However, the Jeep proved to be an instant success.

Family Life

His son Roy D. Chapin Jr. followed in his footsteps in leading the American Motors Corporation.

Associated With

He bought the struggling Jeep brand from the industrialist Henry J. Kaiser with the two forming the initial agreement over lunch.