Chevrolet Vega History With Production Numbers

Chevrolet cars have been one of the most well-recognized and well-admired cars for some time now. One of the most well-known lines for Chevrolet is the Chevrolet Vega, a subcompact car which could carry at least four passengers. This was produced by Chevrolet division of General Motors which became their flagship model from 1971 through 1977.

This car was introduced as a Vega 2300 in September of 1970 which resonated the star named Vega with a cubic centimeter engine size. It has been said that the Chevrolet, especially the Vega line, is considered to be one of the top selling cars in its earlier years. This is because it has a very sleek and modern design that had a hatchback wagon notch back as well as panel delivery design in its two-door styles.

During the time of the oil embargo, most of the car manufactures geared into manufacturing a more compact concept street rod which served the need to save and minimize the use of fuel / gas. At this time, the General Motors President James Roche announced that they too are producing a new mini or compact car in which case the then Chief engineer Ed Cole alongside with his team conceptualized and developed a compact all-aluminum die cast engine block technology which they called Chevy Vega. The introduction of the Chevy Vega created a sleeker and technologically driven system to their lines with its notch back style sedan. As the year progressed, there were changes made in the Vega design for more and more additions and upgrades which were being introduced in order to provide for the needs of their clientele as well as to provide a better and smoother driving experience.

However, because of the rush for this street rod introduction and despite the many changes and improvements made, the result was not accepted as warmly as they expected.

Throughout the 70's, the Chevy Vega had undergone quite a few changes and upgrades in order to come up with the very best compact car in the market. These street rods had undergone not only interior changes, engine and power upgrading but at the same time refining the noise and vibration levels which most of the cars during those times were having troubles with.

In the year 1973, the car underwent at least 300 minor and major changes which included changes in the exterior and interior colors and trims to the bumper, power steering, vinyl interiors or door panels among others. As such every year new changes had been made to make the Chevy Vega adopt to the changes and evolution of how people were living. In the year 1977, the notch back was renamed into a coupe and the changes in the engine which provided for a pulse air system was installed to meet the requirement of the federal government in the standards sets for emission control.

The difference in the Chevy Vega among other street rods out there is that its hatchback coupe had a lower roof line as well as a fold-down rear seat which most of its clientele were excited and happy about. However on the other hand, their sedan line had an enclosed trunk and more rear seat room than the former. While its wagon had a swing-up lift gate with a lower lift cargo height the panel delivery was a one-passenger wagon with an enclosed storage area so that their buyers could have a lot of choices when they decide to drive a Chevrolet.

Ensuring your ride is road worthy is what we do in our Street Rod Shop at Jeff Lilly Restorations. Getting you on the road and enjoying your time asap is our goal.

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Duesenberg Classic Luxury Roadsters Steeped In Auto Racing History

The auto badge "Duesenberg" creates image of the flowing American made roadster boats that ferried around movie stars or the 30's "musicals" fame. Duesenberg Roadsters - of which the phrase "It's a Doozie" or "Duesy" - provided unmatched levels of luxury and attention to detail generally only had in limousines for state figures and royalty. This was rather unique for an American made product. Yet it was racing - not luxury cars that gave the Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company, Inc. its early start and indeed provided for the very passion that drove the brothers to create such high end luxury, quality automotive products.

At the very beginning it was two German born brothers Frederick and August Deisenberg who as American emigres started their venture in their new found land. Both self-taught engineers - which was not unusual at that point in American industrial development and home grown ingenuity coupled with "night school " courses, these two had a passion not just for formulating and building various machinery but also for racing in all forms. As young boys it was bicycle racing contests. Later on they turned their attention and passions to gas internal combustion engine design and began to construct and build motorcycles themselves. Remarkably their funding to enter the auto trade itself came from backing from Fred Maytag of washing machine fame and a local lawyer. Hence the name of the first venture of the Duesenberg brothers was named - "The Maytag Mason Motor Company "which was located in Iowa. Yet with little business sense and experience in the auto manufacturing sector this particular start up company had a short life indeed.

Yet the drive for auto racing was in their blood. To derive some cash flow the two brothers went back to work for a racing engine builder to the north - in all of places the state of Minnesota, before finally starting up once again with saved seed capital. In 1913 the Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company was created. The dream and goal was to direct efforts to win the famed and respected Indianapolis 500. Indeed it became a Duesenberg factory tradition to enter at least one Duesenberg in this race. This continued on uninterrupted even in the Great Depression of the 1930s - up until 1935.

Yet back to 1914 the First World War was on the horizon and many companies had to shift production away from the consumer market and certainly frivolous racing. On top of that specific suppliers with high end, high tech products that originated on both sides of the war in Europe may not of been sourceable or at the last very hard to obtain. Hence the Duesenberg's had to change tack and change many of their engineering ideas. The "catalyst" or initiation was a Bugati engine. Bugatti had created a straight eight formation gasoline engine simply by placing two straight-four engines end-to-end sharing a common shared crankcase. The arrangement was laid out with two flat style crankcases which were linked at 90 degree angles to come together to form a single solitary engine shaft. This was incredibly innovative for its time and automotive technologies. The Duesenberg's themselves were granted an American contract to produce the engine for the French government. It was the experience with this engine design that laid the groundwork for the famed Duesenberg straight-eight engine.

With the war over the Duesenberg operation turned back to form and racing. What was not supposed to happen did. At the famed French Grand Prix at the Le Mans it was a 115 bhp straight-eight powered racer from the clan that beat out the Europeans and cornered the race.

Back home in America the Duesenberg racing machines continued to power on and win races - especially the respected Indianapolis 500. Whether it was supercharged gas engines, or even a four cylinder Cummings diesel engine powering the craft - the results were always on top and at the head of the pack for Duesenberg racers.

Racing continued on as a tradition of the group far into the late 20's and early 1930's. In 1931 a Cummins-powered diesel engine Duesenberg car set the speed record for diesel powered car at Daytona Beach. Finally in 1935 towards the very end of the racing careers of the Duesenberg clan at the Bonneville Salt Flats a speed demon driving the aptly nicknamed Duesenberg "Mormon Meteor" to set a 24 hour speed record of over 135 miles per hour.

Yet in the end it might have been said simple economic conditions of the 1930s reducing demand for luxury vehicles that ended the dynasty. Yet it seems that "rich people always have money for high end quality luxury good. The greatest reason for the firm's and the auto lines demise were family squabbles between the two brothers as well as gross mismanagement. Perhaps fame and success pushed them beyond their level of skills and competence. Perhaps being of such fame drew to much ego. Yet it was a sad day indeed within the American automobile industry when the parent Duesenberg as an auto making and manufacturing firm was acquired by Auburn-Cord.

Hence it is interesting to note that without the Duesenberg brother's passion for excellence, for pushing the last burst of speed out of racing vehicles that some of the most luxurious and indeed notable pieces of American automotive Americana might never have hit the road.

William E. Simpson  over 50 years experience automotive industry sales
Vancouver Auto Trader  
BC Premium Used Automobiles

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The History of the Buick Electra 225

The Buick Electra has been in the market for almost a half century. It lasted from 1959 to 1990 providing the needs of its clientele in a full-size premium luxury vehicle which General Motors was able to find the niche for.

It consists of several models in the Electra line such as the Riviera and Electra 225. This car was designed during the times when there was a decline in the automotive sales industry. While some automobile companies would gear towards producing a more compact and energy saving car, the President of General Motors then, Harlow Curtice thought of creating and manufacturing a premium luxury car and decided to produce the street rod called the Electra. Eventually it was replaced in the year 1991 by the new Park Avenue model.

During this time, the street rod Buick Electra's were manufactured as a full-sized premium automobile which was built by the Buick division of General Motors. They abandoned a more traditional design which Buick was known for and started to introduce a sleeker more modern vehicle. The Electra line shares the same similarities with the Cadillac, it came in a four door sedan, a two door coupe and a two door convertible. Prior to 1959, the top of the line Buick lines were Roadmaster and Limited but when the year 1959 came along, they were renamed the Electra and Electra 225. The 225 resonates the overall length of this street rod which is 225 inches or 5,715 mm thus the term "deuce and a quarter".

The interior of the Electra 225 was something to crave for during those times. As the premium luxury line, they make it a point to be sleeker and up to date with a leather interior which was something a lot of people wanted in their cars. It also had power windows and a power operated top which was ultra modern at the time it came out.

It also had super deluxe wheel covers as well as an outside rear view mirror which added to the modern and sleek new look of convertibles. It had the standard requirement for Buicks such as a padded dashboard, a good power steering system and power brakes among other options.

In the year 1965, all the Buick lines alongside of the Electra featured new styles such as a more slanted headlight look with a chrome square grille and back fins with round tail lights.

The introduction of these new additions and revision in their cars was geared to increase their sales during those times and be more competitive since their competition was gearing towards a more compact concept car. They began to introduce a "contoured style" which provided a more sleek and modern look to their line. During this time, the Buick added new additions to the Electra series to make it more appreciable to its clientele as well as allowing them to competitively catch up with their competition. As the year progressed the sale on the Buick Electra began to sink due to the oil embargo in the 70's. More compact and energy saving street rods started being introduced to the market. As a result they began to downsize the lines in 1985 which is also when they introduced the Park Avenue design, a trimmer version of the Electra series which combined both the sporty yet luxurious feel to it of which the Buick was known for.

Need ideas for your street rod? No problem, the pros at Jeff Lilly Restoration specialize in the design and proper process for your project in their Street Rod Shop.

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The History of the Pontiac Lemans

The Pontiac LeMans is said to be the model name for an intermediate-sized car which was being created and manufactured by the Pontiac division of General Motors during 1962 until the early 80's.

During this period the Pontiac LeMans was considered to be a top of the line version of their Pontiac Tempest because of its sleek and sporty design. The Pontiac LeMans continued to keep its quality as those found in the standard Tempest did as well. However, by 1982 the LeMans was replaced by the Pontiac Bonneville.

From 1988-1993 a new model was sold as a Daewoo LeMans which is from South Korea.

During the early sixties from 1961-1963, General Motors introduced a top of the line street rod model named the Tempest LeMans which was sportier and sleeker than the older Tempest which included bucket seats.

That same year its name was also used on a two door coupe. The following year they made additions to the coupe like manufacturing a convertible, a beautiful sedan and station wagon. As the years went by these cars were modified into a super duty car used for racing.

During the mid to the late 60's, the street rod line was upgraded into a 215 CID six-cylinder engine as well as a redesigned 326 CID V8 and was distributed as a new performance package known as the GTO or a Gran Turismo.

The repackaging of the line helped improve sales of the Tempest and Lemans thus making the Pontiac one of the world's leading car manufacturers. Indeed, revamping the old design with the use of a sleeker and more economical design while at the same time keeping the well-defined and well-recognized mark of the Tempest and Lemans helped the manufacturer keep their vision.

When the 70's came along the Lemans and Tempest street rod designs provided a bigger engine which was normally seen as a GTO, bearing the same custom design of the two or four door pillared sedans, a four door hardtop sedan, a four door hardtop coupe and the usual convertible.

During the mid 70's, General Motors and Lemans manufactured models with changes in car size which became larger and larger as the years went by. This is simply because most car manufacturers were targeting the needs of the whole family instead of a sleek show off ride model. At the same time, the street rods being manufactured at this time would adhere to the same safety standards set forth by the law. As such most of the street rods being manufactured during this time have improved handling capabilities, improved rear-coil suspension and tires as well as the improvement in the engine emission required by the federal government in order to have a safer ride on the road.

The year 1977 marked as the finale for the Lemans vintage built colonnade body. Thus making the manufacturer build a more sophisticated and more adaptable car. During this time, they began downsizing as a result of the Arab oil embargo. And in 1981, they began to introduce the Bonneville which was trimmer and more compact in a four-door design.

The evolution of these cars led to the Daewoo Lemans manufactured by Daewoo Motors during the late 80's to the early 90's.

What are you looking for in a Street Rod Shop, professionalism, timeliness, ideas? Whatever your needs may be we can help you get there while doing it right one time and one time only!

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The Buick Centurion History

The Buick Centurion was created, manufactured and sold by the Buick division of General Motors at the beginning of 1971 through the year 1973. This car was said to be the spin-off of another vehicle named the Buick Century which was made available to the public during the year 1937 to 1958. This Buick Centurion replaced the position of the Buick Wildcat as the sporty line of their full-size cars in the market. This car was introduced in 1956 at the Motorama as a concept car which featured a red and white fiberglass body with a bubble top roof which was modeled after an airplane design. It can now be seen in the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan under the Buick gallery.

During the early 70's the Buick street rod model introduced a convertible concept car named Centurion which is basically similar with the older version of the Buick Century. It had a two door or four door option with a hard top or convertible for choices.

It is similar in design with the Buick LeSabre, however different in badging, grill work, trim and front end looks. It has a smaller rear window which provides for a more formal look with a more standard vinyl roof. In 1971, the Centurion replaced the Wildcat Buick as a full-sized but a mid-line car that was both lower in price but with a larger and luxurious body style that can be marked as both luxury and a sport car in one.

The interior of the car is far more of an upgraded version then the old LeSabres with its notch back bench seat and center armrest equipment coupled with luxurious upholstery. This car is equipped with a variable-power steering and powerful disc brake which was made as the standard design for the entire model. However, in 1972 these street rods made a minor appearance change to make its design and concept more appealing to the masses.

At the same time, they also changed the horse power of the car which made it have a more powerful driving experience and at the same time they installed a turbo hydra-matic transmission, power steering and power brakes to make the driving safer and smoother for its clients.

In 1973, the Centurion street rod made more additions and changes to the growing number of its patronage in order to engage them to purchase the new line. The changes featured a larger front bumper as well as a new vertical grille that the LeSabre model was formerly known for.

The standard vinyl roof was no longer used on their two-door hardtop coupe, instead a more formal rear window was replaced with a back light which the LeSabre coupe is also known for. The engine was down graded into a four-barrel 350 V8 with at least 175 horsepower. However they also offer a 250-horsepower 455 four-barrel as an optional consideration.

With the Buick LeSabre street rods being dropped during 1972, the only convertible Buick being offered was the Centurion which lasted only until 1973 since it was replaced by a LeSabre Luxus in 1974. This car reinstated the convertible series until another one was introduced in 1982 which was the Buick Riviera. The evolution of the convertible through the years made it more popular and in demand to most people.

Need ideas for your street rod? No problem, the pros at Jeff Lilly Restoration specialize in the design and proper process for your project in their Street Rod Shop.

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