Car: 1957 Chevy Pickup Engine: BMW S62 V8 Build time: 10 months Build location: Bogi’s Garage, Phoenix, Arizona Number of women involved: 90 women from 19 states
Bogi Lateiner launched the Chevy Montage project with a mission to celebrate the women working in various capacities in the automotive industry and to offer opportunities to the next generation. Paying tribute to those that helped pave the way while forging ahead while providing the chance for women who want to learn and explore the trade in a welcoming, supportive environment.
Why So Many Women?
This project is about much more than just building an awesome car. The Chevy Montage project is all about women working together — to meet that end they used frequent flyer miles, built sleeping quarters within the “Bogi’s Garage” building and raised funds through an Indiegogo campaign so that as many women as possible could gather in Phoenix to help with the build. For some, it was the first time they’d ever worked in a garage. For many, as females make up less than 2 percent of the automotive industry’s work force, it was the first time they’d worked next to another woman in the shop. This truck truly is a montage, painting a picture of the opportunities that exist in the automotive industry for all types.
Why a BMW Engine in a Chevy?
Just as montage refers to the variety of women who gathered to build the truck, it also signifies the mash-up of a vintage, domestic platform powered by a modern, European engine. Not only is the BMW S62 a performance-oriented power plant, but it’s one of the last engines you’d expect to see under the hood of a Chevy pickup. Plus, Bogi started out her career in the industry as an A.S.E. Certified Technician working at a BMW dealership.
The Details
The truck was unveiled on October 31, 2017, at the BASF booth at SEMA. The truck’s gorgeous color, Tenacious Teal, was one of three custom BASF paint colors mixed specifically for the Chevy Montage and was voted on by fans in a public poll.
The truck is currently on tour across the United States helping to promote skilled trades and helping attract women to the industry.
