Robert B. Evans

Robert Beverley Evans (March 19 1906 in Richmond, Virginia – August 17 1998 in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan) An automobile industry executive, he was a prominent republican, an industrialist, a socialite, and an avid sportsperson. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E1D9163DF933A1575BC0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink NY Times Paid Notice: Deaths Evans, Robert B., SR. Published: August 20, 1998] Retrieved: November 29 2007.] He founded Evans Industries and also became chairman of American Motors Corporation (AMC). [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,899250,00.html?iid=chix-sphere American Motors' New Gospel, Time Magazine, June 17, 1966.] Retrieved: November 29 2007.]

Career

Evans graduated from the Virginia Episcopal School, The University of Lauzon, and the University of Michigan. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E1D9163DF933A1575BC0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink NY Times Paid Notice: Deaths Evans, Robert B., SR. Published: August 20, 1998.] Retrieved: November 29 2007.]

In 1966, Evans bought 200,000 shares of AMC common stock (worth US$3 million at that time; thus about $20 to 30 million in 2006 [ [http://www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/ Six Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 - 2006.] Retrieved on December 1 2007.] ) and became the firm's largest shareholder. [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,836619,00.html A Long Way to Turn, Time Magazine, December 2, 1966.] Retrieved: November 29 2007.] As sales of automobiles were weak industry-wide in 1966 and AMC was facing major losses, Evans was named chairman of the board. He replaced Richard E. Cross, who continued as a director and chairman of the executive committee.

Evans is credited with turning the company around from the strategy of matching the Big Three American automakers nearly model for model that was promoted by Roy Abernethy. It was Evans who brought on the major changes by handpicking Roy D. Chapin Jr. as AMC's general manager. Evans was always encouraging the styling and engineering staffs do things differently - to try new ideas and find new ways to design and build cars. [ [http://www.myclassiccar.com/CoolCars/closeups/amc/68amx390/ Dave Brownell, "1968 AMX 390" Hemmings Motor News Archives.] Retrieved: November 29 2007.] He is also credited as the champion for AMC to build a production version of the AMX, a two-seat sports model, from the concept car that was part of the Project IV showings.

In January 1967, a contentious AMC board of directors meeting resulted in the firing or "early retirement" of Abernethy, as well as with the "resignation" of Evans. They were replaced by William V. Luneburg (President) and Chapin as the new Chairman. [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,843337,00.html Quick Wash, Time Magazine, January 20, 1967.] Retrieved: November 29 2007.]

He died at his residence in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. He was survived by his two children, Jane Evans Jones and Robert B. Evans, Jr. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E1D9163DF933A1575BC0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink NY Times Paid Notice: Deaths Evans, Robert B., SR. Published: August 20, 1998.] Retrieved: November 29 2007.]

Notes

Persondata
NAME = Evans, Robert B.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = automobile industry executive
DATE OF BIRTH = March 19 1906
PLACE OF BIRTH = Richmond, Virginia
DATE OF DEATH = August 17 1998
PLACE OF DEATH = Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan