Maybe one of these days I'll look into buying something from the Brazilian market. A lot of interesting cars to pick from that most people have never heard of.
Photography courtesy Chevrolet
The latest manufacturer to join the exclusive group of car makers that offer factory-supported restorations? That’s right, good ol’ Chevrolet.
While swanky car makers like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz have already been offering restoration programs for quite some time, Chevy has recently launched its own program, which it calls “Chevrolet Vintage.”
The catch? It’s only for the Brazilian market. (For now, at least.)
The program, launched to coincide with Chevy’s 100th anniversary in Brazil, has already finished restoring four of its planned 10 vehicles: a 1979 Chevrolet Opala SS Coupe, a 1990 Chevrolet Monza 500 EF, a 1994 Chevrolet Omega CD Irmscher, and a 2004 Chevrolet S10 Rally.
From left to right: 1994 Chevrolet Omega CD Irmscher, 1979 Chevrolet Opala SS Coupe, 2004 Chevrolet S10 Rally, 1990 Chevrolet Monza 500 EF
The other six vehicles planned to be restored consist of a 1959 Chevrolet 3100 Brasil V8, a 1974 Chevrolet Chevette Rally, a 1976 Chevrolet C-10 V8, a 1976 Chevrolet Opala SS, a 1992 Chevrolet Kadett GSI and a 1996 Chevrolet D20.
All 10 vehicles are destined for the auction block, with proceeds to support social projects.
While a similar program for the U.S. market has yet to be announced, future plans for Chevrolet Vintage include producing restomods alongside the restorations:
For some cars, the focus is on restorations, preserving historic vehicles with absolute fidelity to factory specs. For others – “restomods” – classic designs are blended with contemporary performance, safety, and comfort. Every car in the program is validated with GM’s Indaiatuba Proving Ground, about 60 miles outside the city of Sao Paulo, to ensure quality and historic legitimacy.
So, while Porsche may not be as interested in building you a Singer 911, Chevrolet Brazil seems more than willing to cram a V8 into a Brazilian-market Chevette for you.
Maybe one of these days I'll look into buying something from the Brazilian market. A lot of interesting cars to pick from that most people have never heard of.
In reply to Colin Wood :
The South American and Australian markets certainly had a different flair back then.
I don't know anything about this website, but it's fun to browse some Brazilian market listings. I'd love a Gurjel XEF, aka Chibi C126, or a Ford Rural...
In reply to buzzboy :
Well, there goes my lunch break 
EDIT: Those Jaguar replicas are interesting, and I know plenty of people who would go crazy for one of those F1000s.
OK, here’s a serious question. Is car styling just contextual? Because I look at that green car in the lead photo and it looks like an off-brand attempt at a generic car from the 60s. Kind of like how AMC cars were always just a little bit “uncanny valley“ to the big three’s cars.
Do people in Brazil think the ‘69 Nova and Chevelle are just a wee bit off?
The back half of the Ford Rural looks a lot like it was copied from a early 50s Jeep station wagon. And the nose mumbles Edsel.
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