It’s not uncommon for automakers to bring restorations in-house. Mazda, for example, will happily restore its legendary first-generation MX-5 Miata for enthusiasts in Japan. Ditto Nissan with vintage Z-cars, Skylines, and even the Cube. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz Classic will happily rebuild your old Gullwing or 300 SEL 6.3 (though it draws the line at continuation cars). And now Chevrolet is going to have some fun, but with one big catch. Although an American brand, the automaker will offer restorations of its most important and popular cars in Brazil.
Chevrolet
- Founded
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November 3, 1911
- Founder
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Louis Chevrolet, Arthur Chevrolet, William C. Durant
- Headquarters
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Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
- Owned By
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General Motors
- Current CEO
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Mary Barra
One Impressive Anniversary Gift
Just a month after celebrating its 100th anniversary in Brazil, General Motors announced it would implement a pilot program called Chevrolet Vintage, which as its name suggests will seek out engineering solutions and restorations for the brand’s classics. The automaker hasn’t said exactly which vehicles would be part of the program except that it was restoring a 1990 Monza Classic EF – Chevy’s first car in Brazil with electronic fuel injection – and modifying a 1976 C10 pickup with modern Camaro V8 mechanicals.
The restoration service will also include cars that range from the 1960s to the 1990s, specifically the flagship Opala sedan and coupe, the cult-classic Chevette hatchback, and the 3100 pickup truck. Of those vehicles, only the Chevette will be familiar to American consumers, although Brazil’s version came out in the early 1970s and included more body styles and variations than it did here. Chevrolet said including its later-model cars from the last 30 or 40 years would help the automaker connect with a new generation of enthusiasts keen on “néoclassicos,” similar to the Radwood movement in the US.
Related
Why Isn’t GM Doing This In North America?
Unfortunately, Chevrolet Vintage is only offered in Brazil. The largest nation in South America is also Chevy’s second-largest market in the world, but for some reason, the automaker is avoiding the first. GM won’t offer vintage restoration services in the US, at least at the moment. Those looking for General-approved bits for their classic cars can still look to the company’s big lineup of crate engines and drive systems, ranging from original-spec replacement units to the emissions-friendly E-Rod lineup. Chevrolet Performance even offers an eCrate powertrain comprising a 66-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery back and 200-horsepower, 360-pound-foot electric motor for those who want to go zero-emissions.
But while GM is happy to offer OEM-quality replacement parts and restomod supplies to its customers, it doesn’t seem willing to do restorations on its own. So while we’d love to see a Chevrolet Vintage program for Bow Tie legends like the old Bel Air Nomad or K5 Blazer, we’ll just have to look to our neighbors south of the equator with envy instead.
Source: GM do Brasil via Carscoops
