Technical characteristics

Engine: 4 cylinders in line

Displacement: 2800 cc

Diameter x stroke: 93 x 100 mm.

Power: 25 HP at 2000 rpm. Brakes: drum driven by rods

The company General Motors Argentina begins to assemble in the country, in 1925, a car model, Chevrolet brand, which was called Champion or Champion.

The plant of San Telmo, in the neighborhood of Buenos Aires, saw the birth of this model of the brand that was manufactured between 1925 and 1928. It was a sales success in the country. On the one hand because of the low price of the car and on the other because of the strong publicity campaign that General Motors Argentina made throughout the country.

The "Argentine Special" as the company of American origin called it was launched in the month of April 1925 at a value of 2.085 pesos of national currency.

The hood of that first b, armed in Garay Street 1 of the neighborhood of San Telmo in the city of Buenos Aires, was colored cake. The first car was the one that went on tour in different areas around the country. So successful was that launch, today we would say it was a marketing campaign, that General Motors Argentina had more than 2,000 orders for the new car from Buenos Aires.

Miguel Viggiano is a dealer of the Balcarce Studebaker automotive of the 1920s and also a prominent flyer. In his workshop on the corner of 19th and 14th streets, is where Juan Manuel Fangio assimilates the first teachings of a mechanic and preparer of race cars. Between soccer and mechanics, their first years pass.

At the age of 17, he listens to Viggiano's proposal: "... a race between Coronel Vidal and General Guido is announced, do you want to race the Chevrolet 28 that I have in the workshop ...?" Fangio surprised, he answered yes.

The days go by and Viggiano changes his mind "... what do you think if Manuel Ayerza runs it, that he has more experience and you accompany him, so you learn driving in the race? ... Ask him if he takes you ..."

Probably Viggiano had commitments with Ayerza or hesitated because Juan Manuel was a minor and from there the change.

Fangio spoke with Ayerza who gladly accepted to take him as a chauffeur and mechanic for any eventuality and already on the date asked him to carry all the elements they needed in his Ford T and leave for Coronel Vidal, which is about 58 km from Balcarce.

The start is set with intervals between machine and machine and the test will run back and forth, totaling 182 kilometers of a very dusty dirt road.

The Chevrolet 28 with the No.3 driving Ayerza, is one of the first brakes on all four wheels, apparently beneficial thing, but in the race generated a serious inconvenience because the car tended to slow down. So being in second place they decide to stop to disconnect the front brakes, looking to ease the march. It was thanks to that that they managed to conclude the test and be the winner's escorts.