10-11-19

Flashback Friday: GM Canada Today

GM Canada Today

Now that we’ve learned about the history of GM Canada, it’s time to look at where the company is today and what’s in store for the future. It’s amazing to see how a company started by an axe hand maker has become one of the biggest car brands in Canada. It will be interesting to see where GM Canada today goes from here.

By the time GM Canada celebrated its 30th anniversary, they had produced a million vehicles. Then in 1965, Canada signed the Canada-U.S. Automotive Products Trade Agreement (Autopact) that allowed GM Canada to increase its production capacity. Today GM of Canada is able to produce more than one million units in a single year. It is the ninth largest automobile market in the world. The GM Autoplex in Oshawa is now the center of GM of Canada’s manufacturing operations. The vehicle-manufacturing complex is the largest and most modern in North America. This company just continues to grow and create impressive vehicles.

Exciting changes continue to happen at GM Canada. On December 2, 2014, it was announced that David W. Paterson will become the company’s vice president of corporate and environmental affairs. General Motors of Canada Limited employs more than 9,000 people across the country and is a recognized leader of green manufacturing.

Craig Dunn Motor City is proud to be associated with such an impressive company that is constantly expanding and produces new and exciting vehicles. Check back here often to explore everything related to Chevy, Buick or GMC in Canada. You can even check out the latest new vehicles right here on our website and you can even schedule a test drive if you want to take one of our innovative vehicles for a spin. We look forward to seeing you at Craig Dunn Motor City.

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

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10-11-19

Flashback Friday: GM Automotive Artistry and Design

Today’s Flashback Friday is something of a combination of a flashback and flash present, because we are going to look the history of GM automotive artistry and design. However, that wouldn’t be worth mentioning unless we also looked at some of the beautiful automotive architecture coming out of the General Motors design team today. If you’ve ever wondered who decides how a car looks, keep reading for a few snippets, and some great historical pictures.

Read More: The Distinctive Style of the Chevy El Camino Coupe Utility Vehicle 

Who Decides How a Car Looks?

Way back in the very first days of automobiles, there was a man named Harley Earl who had worked with his father first on building horse-drawn vehicles, and then with custom automobiles. From there, he became a part of a Cadillac dealership as a body designer. He eventually became the head of the Art and Color Section of General Motors in 1927. This also marked the first time an automaker like General Motors had ever invested in a specific design department focused on making gorgeous vehicles.Harley Earl was eventually promoted all the way to Vice President at GM in the design department. Under his leadership, some things that we take for granted, like changing model year vehicles, were basically invented. Earl also was the first person to encourage the production of a “concept car”, which was produced to see how the public would react to a design. Gorgeous vehicles like the concept Avenir (and, to a certain degree, all Buick vehicles that have borrowed concept clues from that vehicle) ow a debt this this first GM head of design.

In a certain way, we owe the look and grace of our modern Chevy, Buick, and GMC vehicles to Harley Earl.

Harley Earl, first director of design at GM

GM Automotive Design Today and Yesterday

GM Styling section in the early days of automotive design
man sculpting a car's interior in clay
Harley Earl showing off the GM Le Sabre show car
The image above shows some of the earliest designers of GM vehicles. These men and women (pictured in 1947) paved new ground in how our modern vehicles were destined to look. Today, General Motors is still supporting the artistic dreams of people who want to create the latest and greatest new designs.
From the earliest days of automotive design, things like clay sculpting have been used to transform a designer’s dream into an engineer’s reality. Pictured above is a person hand-sculpting a clay-model interior of the Buick Avista Concept car. Harley Earl used this method and it is still implemented today.
Harley Earl is said to have created the idea of a concept car. In the above image he is showing off the 1951 GM Le Sabre show car to Michigan State Fair General Manager Jim Friel. With a concept car, auto manufacturers can show off a vehicle without turning immediately to mass production.

From the earliest days of the automotive industry, design has been acknowledged as one of the key reasons customers flock to a brand. While premium dependability and features will make drivers stay with a brand long-term, it is the elegant look of the 2016 Chevy Camaro, or the solid lines of the 2016 GMC Sierra truck that first attracts customers to a vehicle. If you have ever admired the lines of a vehicle, you may say thank you to Harley Earl, who revolutionized GM Automotive artistry and design.

Clay-carved sample interior of the Buick Avista Concept car

How can I keep my car’s cabin from getting too hot?

How can I keep my car’s cabin from getting too hot?

What if my car gets stuck in the snow?

What if my car gets stuck in the snow?

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10-11-19

Flashback Friday: The History of the Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevy Silverado is an iconic, extremely dependable and capable vehicle in today’s full-size truck market, but it has a long history rooted in the history of Chevy trucks going all the way back to 1918. The Silverado is just the latest incarnation of quality. For today’s Flashback Friday, we’re going to take a look at the history of the Chevrolet Silverado.

Read More: Flashback Friday: the 1959 Chevy El Camino Coupe Utility Pickup

1988 – The Chevrolet C/K Revolution

The history of the Chevy Silverado begins slightly before the actual nameplate arrived. The C/K pickup models revolutionized the transition of pickup trucks. They changed from being strictly work vehicles to serving as the multipurpose family and work haulers that we know today. From higher-quality cabin materials to revolutionary advances in aerodynamic design, to new 4.3-litre V6 and 6.2-liter diesel V8 powertrain options, these new pickups were the beginning of the cutting edge technology that we expect in a modern truck.

Pictured: The 1988 Chevrolet C2500 Silverado Fleetside Extended Cab (right); The main blog image is the 1988 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado (left) and 1988 Chevrolet K1500 Sportside (right)

The 1988 Chevrolet C2500 Silverado Fleetside Extended Cab in front of a home

1999 Chevy Silverado Debut

For decades (1975 to 1999), “Silverado” was a trim level of other Chevy vehicles, like the C/K pickups, the Suburban, and the Tahoe. The first full-size truck to carry the Silverado name came in 1999. The Silverado arrived just in time to meet growing demand for trucks that could serve passenger and worksite needs.

Pictured Below: One of the first true Chevy Silverados from 1999

Silverado Technology Jump in 2004

Just a few years after the official Silverado debut, 2004 brought another groundbreaking idea to the full-size truck segment: the crew cab. These spacious models were able to accommodate larger families, and were often loaded with features like rear seat entertainment systems, XM radio, and advanced climate control.

Pictured Below: the 2004 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z71

One of the first true Chevy Silverados from 1999
2004 Chevy Silverado driving on rocks

As history has moved forward, so too the Chevy Silverado has advanced. Models in 2007 began focusing on fuel economy and refined construction. Features like cylinder deactivation, coil-over-shock front suspension, electronic stability control, and new airbag options began to make these truck even better.

Today we have options like the Chevy Silverado with an eAssist powertrain, and advanced towing technology, but we have not yet reached the end of truck perfection. Based on the steady advances of history, we know that the 2016 Chevy Silverado is great, but that future models will continue to get even better, thanks to Chevrolet’s devotion to quality every step of the way.

Pictured Below: 2007 Chevy Silverado (left); 1999 Chevy K1500 4×4 Silverado (center); 2016 Chevy Silverado (right)

2007 Chevy Silverado on the farm
 1999 Chevy K1500 4x4 Silverado ancestor of the Silverado we know and love
modern blue 2016 Chevy Silverado latest installment in the history of the Chevrolet Silverado

What’s inside the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD?

What’s inside the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD?

How powerful is the 2020 Chevy Silverado HD?

How powerful is the 2020 Chevy Silverado

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10-11-19

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Today’s Flashback Friday is going to be something of a celebration of both the past and the present. Here at Craig Dunn Motor City, we believe that anniversaries are worth celebrating. The Chevy Camaro celebrates 50 years of muscle car elegance this year, so we are looking at a few of the incarnations that have made this model stand out over half a century.

Read More: How The Camaro Got Its Name

1967 Chevy Camaro Z28 on the road
1979 Chevy Camaro Z28 from the front looking bold in white
Blue 1992 Chevy Camaro Z28 Convertible with an industrial background

First Generation

The public, craving speed and style for the drag racing wars of the late 60s, fell in love with the First Generation Camaro (1967-69). One of our favorites cars is the performance-optimized 1967 Chevy Camaro Z28 (pictured).

Second Generation

From 1970 to 1981, the Camaro lost horsepower (because of new automotive emissions restrictions) but it gained a lower center of gravity and wider base, which made its handling a dream. Pictured: The 1979 Chevy Camaro Z28.

Third Generation

The Third Generation (1982-92) offered a refined suspension with enhanced track handling. It also marked the advent of the 1LE track pack and a Motor Trend Car of the Year awardPictured: 1992 Chevy Camaro Z28 Convertible.

1998 Chevy Camaro SS looking dangerous on the highway
confident red 2010 Chevy Camaro SS

Fourth Generation

A redesigned front fascia and performance enhancements make the 1993-2002 Camaro stand out. The 1998 model finally achieved the high engine outputs that had been lost to tightened emissions standards. Pictured: 1998 Chevy Camaro SS.

Fifth Generation

After a seven-year hiatus, the Camaro returned looking closer to the sleek muscle car we know today. This model was a top seller, and also earned the honor of being an Indianapolis 500 Pace carPictured: 2010 Chevy Camaro SS.

Sixth Generation Camaro

Now we come to the modern era of Camaro elegance. With new, award winning engine options, and the latest technology like the all-new 10-speed automatic transmission in the 2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1, the newest Camaro generation is already making a powerful and confident statement. We can’t wait to see where this confident vehicle will drive to next. Check out our new Camaro inventory today.

two piece comparison between the original 1967 Camaro and the 2017 Camaro

Chevy owners now able to connect vehicle with Apple Watch

Chevy owners now able to connect vehicle with Apple Watch

2017 Chevrolet Camaro Performance

2017 Chevrolet Camaro Performance

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10-11-19

Flashback Friday: New Chevy Camaro Is the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

This week for Flashback Friday, we’re not flashing back very far at all. Last weekend was the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, and Chevy also had a milestone! Once again a Chevrolet vehicle was the official pace car for this historic race, and this year it was none other than the 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition. Keep reading for more about this car and the history of the Indy pace car and the Chevy Camaro.

Read More: Where Did the Camaro Get Its Name? 

2017 Chevy Camaro Pace Car for the 2016 Indy 500

That 2017 Chevy Camaro was the ninth Chevy Camaro to be the pace car for the Indy 500 and the 27th Chevrolet vehicle to have that honor since 1948. We don’t know a lot about the 50th Anniversary Edition of the new Camaro (which is scheduled to be released later this year), but we know that the 2017 Chevy Camaro pace car for the 2016 Indy 500 featured an Abalone White exterior with the Indianapolis wing-and-wheel logo on the side and “100th Running of the Indianapolis 500” on the doors.

Pictured: Each of the Chevy Camaro Pace Cars.

each of the Camaro pace cars for the Indy 500 throughout history

What is a pace car at the Indianapolis 500?

Much as we love the look and the aerodynamic style of the Chevy Camaro, it doesn’t look like a traditional Indy car, and it’s not supposed to. The pace car has two roles: it leads the competing vehicles around the track for the Indy’s rolling start and, in the case of a caution period, the pace car will go out again to lead the vehicles in a slower route around the track.

This second job happens commonly if there is an accident and vehicles have to reduce speed to avoid crashing. Traditionally, the winner of the Indianapolis 500 (this year Alexander Rossi) will be given one of the year’s pace cars.

Our main blog image is the 2017 Camaro SS beside the 1967 Camaro RS/SS, which was the first Chevy pace car at the Indy 500. Below are the 1969 Camaro RS/SS (left), an illustration of the 1982 Camaro Z28 (center) and the 1993 Camaro Z28 Pace Car (right).

1967 Chevy Camaro pace car at the Indy 500
Artist's rendition of the 1982 Chevy Camaro Z28
1993 Chevy Camaro Z28 Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500

Chevy owners now able to connect vehicle with Apple Watch

Chevy owners now able to connect vehicle with Apple Watch

2017 Chevrolet Camaro Performance

2017 Chevrolet Camaro Performance

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10-11-19

GM Canada Reputation

Last week we took a look at the humble beginnings of GM Canada featuring the McLaughlin family. This week we’re going to see what happened after they built those first 154 cars. Here are Craig Dunn Motor City we think it’s important to see where our brand came from. These things don’t just appear, they take years of hard work and dedication. This is how the impressive GM Canada reputation got its start.

A few years after the McLaughlin vehicles were initially released, they started gaining quite a following. The McLaughlin’s advertisers persuaded management to change the brand name from McLaughlin to Buick. They compromised and renamed the cars, McLaughlin-Buick. This increased their popularity because a Buick won the first race at the Indianapolis Speedway in the United States.

Eventually the McLaughlin’s partner, Durant, was kicked out of the Buick company, but he quickly rebounded by joining forces with Louis Chevrolet. By 1915, Durant had so many Chevy shares that he regained control of GM all together. The McLaughlin boys convinced Durant to give them the Chevy as well. The Chevy bodies were designed by Sam McLaughlin and the McLaughlin plant painted them. Soon, the McLaughlins’ Chevrolets were just as popular as the Chevrolet vehicles crafted in the United States. In 1918, GM management bought the business but allowed Sam and George McLaughlin to continue running it. With that, the became the first president and vice president of General Motors Canada. Sam remained president until 1945 and was still a chairman of the board until he died at the age of 100 in 1972.

GM Canada has a rich and exciting history with family right at the heart of the business. Through the years, GM Canada continued to expand and grow as a company. Next week we’ll take a look what the company looks like today. If you want to see the current start of GM Canada, come explore the vehicles available at Craig Dunn Motor City. We have a wide selection of BuickChevy and GMC vehicles. see how Craig Dunn is carrying out the McLaughlin legacy right here in Portage la Prairie MB.

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

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10-11-19

Flashback Friday: 1964 Chevy Malibu

What was the first midsize car?

And now for something a little different. While no one would deny that the 2016 Chevy Malibu is a sleek and attractive car, it’s neither as iconic as the Chevy Camaro, nor as downright strange and cool as the Chevy El Camino coupe utility truck. But for this Flashback Friday, we thought it would be cool to check out one of the first midsize cars in North America: the 1964 Chevy Malibu.

Previously on Flashback Friday: Buick’s Racing and Performance History

Once Upon a time: Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

Technically speaking, the Chevy Malibu didn’t become its own model until 1978. Instead, it started out in 1964 as an elite trim of the Chevy Chevelle. Available in sedan, coupe, convertible, or station wagon body styles, the Malibu featured patterned interior upholstery and top-of-the-line interior features. The original Malibu (like its modern incarnation) was praised for its spacious interior and efficient driving.

Ad for the 1964 Chevy Chevelle Malibu the first edition of the Malibu
In addition to a responsive suspension system and strong body-on-frame construction, the 1964 Chevy Malibu offered multiple powertrain options, starting at a standard 3.2-litre six-cylinder. Its top engine was a 5.4-litre V8 that cranked out 300 horsepower and it could be outfitted with either a four-speed manual transmission or a Powerglide transmission.

The 1964 Chevy Malibu was a stylish, well-equipped vehicle that delivered fun. It reached even muscle-car performance with the elite and sporty Malibu SS trim.

The Chevy Malibu Today

Many things have changed. The new Chevy Malibu now leads the pack of midsize cars in terms of fuel efficiency thanks to the latest powertrain advances, and it comes equipped with standard features (like the ability to become a Wi-Fi hotspot) that people would have been amazed by in 1964. However, the Chevy Malibu remains a high-quality car that offers top value to families and commuters.

1964 Chevy Chevelle Malibu looking stylish by a dam
People posed behind a 1964 Chevy Chevelle Malibu by a futuristic house
A man and a woman on stairs behind a 1964 Chevy Chevelle Malibu

Check out the new Malibu

Check out the new Malibu

2018 Chevy Malibu standard technology features

2018 Chevy Malibu standard technology features

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10-09-19

Flashback Friday: What is a Camaro?

What is the origin of the Camaro name?

The Chevy Camaro, from its very first incarnation in 1966 to the soon-to-arrive and better than ever 2016 model, has been the ideal pony car – a stylish and compact coupe (or convertible) with an eye to sporty performance in an affordable package. But what is the origin of the Camaro name?

People don’t know exactly where the Camaro name came from. When the plans to create the Chevy Camaro as an opponent to the Ford Mustang were first announced at a General Motors press conference, GM leaders said that the name started with a “C” to fall in line with other sporty Chevy vehicles at that time like the versatile Corvair and the Corvette sports car.

When asked what the name meant, Chevrolet representatives told reporters at the press conference that a Camaro was a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.

Pictured: Various  1967 and 1969 model year Chevy Camaros.

Later explanations for the name included a French meaning related to companionship, friendship and reliability, all virtues that the Camaro was intended to convey. While no such word like “camaro” exists in any French dictionary we could find, the Camaro certainly has stood by those ideals through six generations of automotive excellence.

While the horsepower output of the Chevy Camaro took a sharp dip (along with most of the rest of the automotive world) when more stringent fuel economy and emissions standards were implemented in the ’70s, performance on this great vehicle has been steadily climbing since. Today, car enthusiasts everywhere are able to get the speed and endurance that they are looking for in the iconic, well-equipped, and extremely fun to drive Camaro pony car.

Want to be a part of the movement? Schedule your test drive today and see what kind of speed and automotive excellent are available with the modern Camaro.

Pictured: A chart showing Chevy Camaro horsepower through the years and a yellow 2016 Chevy Camaro.

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: New Chevy Camaro Is the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

Flashback Friday: New Chevy Camaro Is the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

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10-09-19

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Today for Flashback Friday, we’re going to check out a vehicle that revolutionized the Chevrolet automobile: The 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe. Debuting more than a decade before the iconic 1967 Chevy Camaro Z28 that would go on to capture the heats and minds of speed fans everywhere, the Bel Air changed the image of the Chevrolet brand from staid dependability to the sleek, and attractive (yet still extremely dependable) vehicles that we know today.Read the rest of this entry

Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Today’s Flashback Friday is going to be something of a celebration of both the past and the present. Here at Craig Dunn Motor City, we believe that anniversaries are worth celebrating. The Chevy Camaro celebrates 50 years of muscle car elegance this year, so we are looking at a few of the incarnations that have made this model stand out over half a century.Read the rest of this entry

Who Decides How a Car Looks?

Flashback Friday: GM Automotive Artistry and Design

Today’s Flashback Friday is something of a combination of a flashback and flash present, because we are going to look the history of GM automotive artistry and design. However, that wouldn’t be worth mentioning unless we also looked at some of the beautiful automotive architecture coming out of the General Motors design team today. If you’ve ever wondered who decides how a car looks, keep reading for a few snippets, and some great historical pictures.Read the rest of this entry

History of the Chevrolet Silverado

Flashback Friday: The History of the Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevy Silverado is an iconic, extremely dependable and capable vehicle in today’s full-size truck market, but it has a long history rooted in the history of Chevy trucks going all the way back to 1918. The Silverado is just the latest incarnation of quality. For today’s Flashback Friday, we’re going to take a look at the history of the Chevrolet Silverado.Read the rest of this entry

2017 Chevy Camaro Pace Car for the 2016 Indy 500

Flashback Friday: New Chevy Camaro Is the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

This week for Flashback Friday, we’re not flashing back very far at all. Last weekend was the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, and Chevy also had a milestone! Once again a Chevrolet vehicle was the official pace car for this historic race, and this year it was none other than the 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition. Keep reading for more about this car and the history of the Indy pace car and the Chevy Camaro.Read the rest of this entry

Chevy Truck History

Flashback Friday: Chevy Trucks Today and Yesterday

Chevy Truck History

While the 2016 Chevy Silverado and the 2016 Chevy Colorado may not have a ton in common visually with the original trucks from Chevrolet, the company’s devotion to offering a high-quality hard-working vehicle hasn’t wavered. Since the very first Chevy truck rolled off the production line almost 100 years ago, Chevy truck history has been full of excellent vehicles that go above and beyond in their capability.Read the rest of this entry

Flashback Friday: 1964 Chevy Malibu

Flashback Friday: 1964 Chevy Malibu

What was the first midsize car?

And now for something a little different. While no one would deny that the 2016 Chevy Malibu is a sleek and attractive car, it’s neither as iconic as the Chevy Camaro, nor as downright strange and cool as the Chevy El Camino coupe utility truck. But for this Flashback Friday, we thought it would be cool to check out one of the first midsize cars in North America: the 1964 Chevy Malibu.Read the rest of this entry

1959 Chevy El Camino

Flashback Friday: 1959 Chevy El Camino

While Chevy trucks today, like the 2016 Chevy Silverado and Colorado, wow us with their sleek, aerodynamic lines, impressive payload options, and top fuel-efficiency, we have to admit that we are kind of jealous of drivers who were able to handle one of these elegant and stylish El Camino coupe utility pickups. You’ve heard of a crossover SUV, that offers SUV height with car-like handling. But what do you think about a coupe with the capability of a truck?Read the rest of this entry

Buick Early Racing Heritage

Flashback Friday: Buick Early Racing Heritage

When you think of Buick, maybe the first thing that springs to mind is smooth driving, a spacious interior, and top luxury features like you would see in the upcoming 2016 Buick Envision. But did you know that Buick has a history of taking significant honors on the race track? For this Flashback Friday we’re going to take a look at the impressive Buick early racing heritage and the dedication to top performance that the brand has maintained to this day.Read the rest of this entry

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10-09-19

Flashback Friday: Six Decades of the ‘Vette

Six decades of the Chevy Corvette

With the recent successful restoration of the one millionth Corvette (which was almost totaled when a sinkhole opened under its showroom at the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky) we thought we’d take a quick look at the history of this stylish and iconic muscled car. Welcome to Flashback Friday: Corvette Edition.

First introduced in 1953 at the GM Motorama as a concept car, the sleek lines and power under the hood of the Vette drew enough interest that GM introduced the first generation for public sale late in the 1953 model year. Since then, over one million Corvettes have been constructed with care and pride by Chevrolet.

Looking for a new GM vehicle? Check out our inventoryWhen the one millionth Corvette was damaged, restorers thought that they would be able to just replace many of the parts that had been crushed in the fall. Much to their surprise, many of the Vette’s parts had been signed by those who played a part in the construction. Restorers had to work even harder to preserve as many of the signatures as they could. Through hard work and diligence, Chevrolet restorers were able to preserve, transfer or replace every signature on the vehicle and preserve the history of everyone who took part the construction of this milestone Corvette.

Damaged Chevy Corvette
Damaged seats one millionth Corvette
Signatures on the one millionth Corvette
Restored one millionth Corvette
Repaired upholstery one millionth Corvette
Front of restored one millionth Corvette

Over the years the Corvette has won many awards and recognition, such as first on the “100 Coolest Cars” list of Automobile Magazine, number five for Sports Car International’s “Top Sports Cars of the 1960s”, and even “Most Coveted Vehicle” for the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year contest. We can believe it.

The Corvette was even recognized as “Best Engineered Car of the 20th century” from the Society of Automotive Engineers. It’s a beautiful example of the engineering prowess and care that goes into every GM vehicle, from heavy-duty GMC Sierra 2500 trucks to the family-oriented Chevy Malibu.

1953 Corvette We hope you enjoyed this edition of Flashback Friday. We at Craig Dunn Motor City are proud to be a part on the ongoing history of this great automobile manufacturer.

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: New Chevy Camaro Is the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

Flashback Friday: New Chevy Camaro Is the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

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10-09-19

Flashback Friday: History of GM of Canada

History of GM Canada

Each year, General Motors of Canada reveals new and exciting vehicles and designs. Each year the company strives to create vehicles that exceed expectations, and while it’s exciting to look forward at what is coming next, it’s also interesting to look back at how far GM Canada has come. GM has a colorful history dating back to the mid 1800s. Let’s take a look back at the history of GM Canada.

At the very beginning of GM, there was a man in Ontario with a simple ax handle maker. He decided to lend his skills to a much bigger project when he began studying pictures of carriages. He decided to build himself a horse-drawn sleigh. One of his neighbors became very interested in the sleigh and asked if he could buy it. Eventually this farmers, Robert McLaughin opened a carriage plant in Oshawa, Ontario and opened branches around the country.

McLaughin had three sons. One established the Canada Dry Company and the other two became partners in McLaughlin Carriage Company. The two sons in the company, Sam and George, went for a ride in an automobile and immediately started persuading their family to start making them. Sam test-drove many motorcars and decided that Buick was the car for Oshawa. He made an agreement with Bill Durant, a partner in the Buick Motor Company. In 1908, 154 cars, called McLaughlins, were produced. This was just the beginning of the company we know as GM Canada.

There is much more to learn about the history of GM Canada, so check back to see what happened next. One thing is certain, GM Canada continued to grow into the company it is today, offering vehicles such as the 2015 Chevy Sonic2015 Buick Verano and more. If you want to see just how far GM Canada has come since 1901, come visit us at Craig Dunn Motor City. Schedule a test drive today and see what impressive vehicles we have to offer. We look forward to seeing you!

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

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CATEGORIES »
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10-09-19

Chevy Truck History

While the 2016 Chevy Silverado and the 2016 Chevy Colorado may not have a ton in common visually with the original trucks from Chevrolet, the company’s devotion to offering a high-quality hard-working vehicle hasn’t wavered. Since the very first Chevy truck rolled off the production line almost 100 years ago, Chevy truck history has been full of excellent vehicles that go above and beyond in their capability.

Chevy Truck Beginnings: 1918 Chevy 490

Coincidentally (or maybe not!), Chevy’s official first entries into the truck market were in 1918, the same year that General Motors officially united with the McLaughlin company and started what would become GM Canada. The first truck was a half-ton, Light Delivery Cowl Chassis mounted with a pickup bed (picture in the main blog image). A 1918 Chevy “Model T” was also available that was a full ton. This baby had an entire 37 horsepower (quite different from some of the engine options available in Chevy trucks today!) and could go up to 40 kilometers per hour (25 mph).

Pictured: 1918 Chevrolet 490 Half-ton Cowl Chassis

Black and White image of the 1918 Chevrolet 490 truck

A New Era of Chevy Truck History: the 1930s

Cowl chassis were replaced in the 1930s with new, steel-body half-ton pickups with factory-installed beds and a remarkable new inline six-cylinder engine. These advances greatly increased the power and capability that these trucks could bring to the work site.

Read More: Chevy Wins Multiple Dependability Awards 

In 1937, Chevrolet revolutionized the truck industry with a new streamlined body style, a stronger structure, and an engine that could crank out 78 horsepower.

Pictured: 1937 Chevrolet GC Series truck (left), 1930 Chevrolet Roadster Pickup (right)

Sleek 1937 Chevrolet GC Series truck
1930 Chevrolet Roadster carrying lady performing golfers
1947 Chevrolet Advance Design 300 Series pickup truck

1947 Chevrolet Advance Design Truck

After World War II, Chevrolet again broke new ground in the pickup category with the attractive and work-friendly Advance Design 3000 Series. With improved visibility for the driver, a wide pickup box, and a more spacious and comfortable cabin, this pickup offered truck customers features they had been clamoring for. This was also the time period when consumer demand for trucks in North America really began to take off.

Pictured: 1947 Chevrolet Advance Design 3000 Series pickup

Looking at Chevy truck history, it’s easy to see how quality has been present from the very earliest days of the truck. From the early models that we just wrote about, to the stylish 1959 Chevy El Camino pickup utility vehicle (that looks like a cross between a pickup and a muscle-car) to the modern day Silverado equipped with eAssist, Chevy trucks have always been pushing the envelope on what can be achieved.

Black and white ad for the Advance Design Chevy truck

What’s inside the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD?

What’s inside the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD?

How powerful is the 2020 Chevy Silverado HD?

How powerful is the 2020 Chevy Silverado HD?

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10-09-19

Flashback Friday: 1959 Chevy El Camino

While Chevy trucks today, like the 2016 Chevy Silverado and Colorado, wow us with their sleek, aerodynamic lines, impressive payload options, and top fuel-efficiency, we have to admit that we are kind of jealous of drivers who were able to handle one of these elegant and stylish El Camino coupe utility pickups. You’ve heard of a crossover SUV, that offers SUV height with car-like handling. But what do you think about a coupe with the capability of a truck?

Read More: Fuel Efficiency on the 2016 Chevy Colorado

Early History of the Chevy El Camino

Like other Chevy models like the Camaro, the 1959 Chevy El Camino was introduced in response to a market need, and the challenge of competitors. The Ford Ranchero pickup had been produced to meet the demands of families that needed both a weekend passenger car and something that could do serious work around the farm or small business. While modern trucks (and even SUVs that offer fold-down seats and plenty of cargs space) do this quite well, there’s something startling and intriguing about seeing a pickup bed on the back of a vehicle from the late 50s.

Picture caption: Various images of the 1959 Chevy El Camino doing double duty as a personal and work vehicle.

1959 Chevy El Camino perfect date car in the late 50s
Hardworking 1959 Chevy El Camino being loaded with hay or straw
1959 Chevy El Camino elegant multipurpose date vehicle

Capability of the 1959 El Camino

While the 1959 Chevy El Camino doesn’t look like a vehicle that can tackle rough roads and intensive work conditions, it was surprisingly capable. This utility vehicle was available with multiple performance powertrains, including several V8 options. One of the top options was a V8 mated to a four-speed transmission rated for approximately 315 horsepower and a top speed of 210 km/h.
With its top powertrain, the 1959 Chevy El Camino could handle 521 kilograms of payload in its 934 liter bed. This car/truck crossover also had a steel bed floor (instead of wood) and a suspension soft enough that the El Camino stayed level whether or not it had a load.

What does “El Camino” mean? The words are Spanish for “The Road”

The end of the Chevy El Camino

The Chevy El Camino was produced in response to the need of families and businesses for a versatile vehicle and easily outsold its Ford rival, but its heyday was short-lived. The original run of El Camino coupe utility pickups lasted just two model years. Other attempts at the El Camino coupe pickup were made , but the last production vehicle to bear the El Camino name was produced for the 1987 model year. If used the platform of the Chevy Malibu, which had been introduced in 1964. After that, the Chevy El Camino only appeared again as concept vehicles.

We’re not sure that this vehicle would be very practical today, but it is definitely neat to look at for our Flashback Friday.

Picture captionLater incarnations of the Chevy El Camino. (top) Black 1967 Chevy El Camino SS general shot; (left) Close-up of a 1967 Chevy El Camino SS headlight with grille and 396 Turbo-Jet branding; (right) white 1970 Chevy El Camino at the beach.

Black 1967 Chevy El Camino SS formal shot

Close-up of a 1967 Chevy El Camino SS headlight with grille and 396 Turbo-Jet branding
white 1970 Chevy El Camino at the beach

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

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10-09-19

Flashback Friday: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Today for Flashback Friday, we’re going to check out a vehicle that revolutionized the Chevrolet automobile: The 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe. Debuting more than a decade before the iconic 1967 Chevy Camaro Z28 that would go on to capture the heats and minds of speed fans everywhere, the Bel Air changed the image of the Chevrolet brand from staid dependability to the sleek, and attractive (yet still extremely dependable) vehicles that we know today.

green 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe being admired over a wall
ladies on an imaginary road trip in the convertible 1955 Chevy Bel Air

1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe Revolutionary Amenities

The 1955 Chevy Bel Air was stylish and attractive inside and out, and it brought a lot of firsts to the Chevrolet brand. The 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe was available with advantages like a 12-volt (rather than 6-volt) electrical system, and convenience features (that we take for granted today because they are standard on most new Chevy, Buick and GMC vehicles) like air conditioning, power windows, power seats, power steering and brakes, and advanced radio options. The 1955 Bel Air Sport Coupe was a stunning combination of affordable and well-equipped, and it sold like hotcakes.

Read More: GM Automotive Artistry and Design 

Bel Air Sport Coupe V8 Power

This sport coupe also made waves with its revolutionary available “Turbo-Fire” V8 small-block engine. While this was far from the first V8 engine to hit the roads (though Chevy trucks would not see V8 engines until the ’80s), the Bel Air’s engine was designed to be lighter and more compact than its processors. The basic design of this small block engine remains roughly the same today, even with new advances in fuel efficiency and power.

1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe serving as the first Chevrolet Indy 500 Pace car
Woman and boy in front of the 1955 Chevy Bel Air Indy 500 Pace Car
1955 Chevy Bel Air Pace Car at the Indy 500

First Chevy Indy 500 Pace Car

The 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, in addition to looking gorgeous and pumping out serious power, had other firsts as well. This model become the first Chevrolet vehicle to serve as the Indianapolis 500 Pace car (though it would be far from the last). We are delighted to be able to focus a Flashback Friday on this attractive and road-burning model.
dramatic, red, convertible 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe presented by a lovely lady in red

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: Chevy Camaro Celebrates 50 Years

Flashback Friday: GM Automotive Artistry and Design

Flashback Friday: GM Automotive Artistry and Design

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Flashback Friday Archives - Craig Dunn Chevy Buick GMC Ltd

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