Launch of Chevrolet Vintage
As part of its centennial celebration, General Motors launched a new program in Brazil aimed at reviving classic cars. The new Chevrolet Vintage division will be engaged in the restoration of models that were once produced locally, with their subsequent sale for charity.
First Project — 1994 Chevrolet Omega
The first project of the series was a fully restored 1994 Chevrolet Omega. This car was recently sold for 437,500 Brazilian reals, which is approximately $80,000 USD.
GM calls the Omega “the most luxurious domestic car of all time,” created for buyers who expected cutting-edge technology in the early 1990s. The Brazilian version mirrored the Opel Omega and Vauxhall Carlton sold in Europe, and even shared roots with rare sports sedans modified by Lotus.
American buyers might remember it in a different form — the Cadillac Catera, which was sold in the US from 1996 to 2001, was essentially a rebadged Omega with some Cadillac elements.
In the South American market, the Omega was produced from 1992 to 1998, after which it was reintroduced as a rebadged Holden Commodore, imported from Australia.
Restoration Details
The specific car restored by GM Vintage is a 1994 Omega CD, which had additional modifications from the German atelier Irmscher, known for its work with Opel.
According to Chevrolet, this car originally belonged to a Brazilian financial sector executive. Despite being in good condition, it underwent a complete factory restoration aimed at returning it to showroom condition.
The project began with a complete disassembly of the car. Every component was inspected to determine whether it could be preserved or needed to be replaced with original factory parts. After reassembly, the car underwent a series of dynamic tests at the GM proving ground to ensure it feels and functions just as it did three decades ago.
The body received a new coat of paint, the headlights were restored to factory quality, and the interior was reupholstered with period-appropriate materials. The car still features its distinctive digital instrument panel, which was a technological novelty at the time. Under the hood lies a 3.6-liter inline six-cylinder engine, modified by Irmscher, producing around 200 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission.
Auction Results and Future Plans
The charity auction took place on December 6th at the Carde museum in Brazil. The final price of 437,500 reals ($80,000) is only slightly lower than the starting price of a new Chevrolet Silverado in Brazil, which currently starts at 483,900 reals ($88,200).
More restorations are already planned. GM states that the Omega will be the first in a series of revived classic models, which will also include a Chevrolet S10 pickup in rally specification, a modified Opala, Monza, and Kadett GSi — all of which will receive the same level of attention from the Chevrolet Vintage division.
The launch of Chevrolet Vintage demonstrates the growing global interest in automotive heritage and restoration, especially in emerging markets like Brazil. This project not only preserves important models for the brand’s local history but also uses them for socially beneficial purposes through charity auctions. The success of the first auction could set a precedent for other automakers looking for ways to combine corporate social responsibility with the promotion of their historical heritage.