Chrysler of Argentina
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Javier Denardo wrote:
Before the 1940s, Argentina imported all of its vehicles. Any model or make could be purchased, and many Dodge, Plymouth, Desoto. Fargo and Chrysler products were imported directly from the U.S (many still survive today over there).
After World War II and the fact that car building stopped in the U.S. from 1942 to 1946, Argentina shifted towards European cars (e.g Fiat, Renault) and stopped importing altogether (except for diplomats and special situations). Car building was stressed after 1955 and by 1962 it is said that 22 automakers set up shop there through local investors or through direct involvement (Ford and Kaiser). Chrysler indeed was associated with Fevre & Basset (this company also imported Volkswagen Beetles, per a local source) and by 1962 was building the Valiant I (known as the 1960 version of the Plymouth Valiant in the U.S.) The car seems identical although like in Canada was known only as the Valiant. The 4 door version was only produced. Later, the Valiant II came out (same body but I haven't seen one in order to know if there were trim differences. The Valiant III came out possibly in 1965 (as seen in the photos on your site) and it looks a lot like the 1963 Dodge Dart. In 1967 the Valiant IV came out and looked very much like the U.S 1966 Plymouth Valiant.
Production ceased for the Valiants in 1968 or 1969, when they were replaced by the Coronado and Polaras, also known as the 3700 GT in Europe. (Incidentally, one of these cars is seen in the first Batman movie directed by Tim Burton, as it was filmed in the U.K but they obtained American cars for this film, although the 3700 GT was never sold in the U.S. so it's a pseudo-American car). Indeed, your information on the Polara Coronado series is correct. However, I must add that the Polara R/T was a coupe with a slant 6 (not sure if the 170 or 225 cu. in) but the GTX was available with a 273 or 318 cubic inch V8 engine (I don't know which one exactly) (a rarity in Argentina, as most cars were 4 cyl or 6cyl). There were some limited edition GTXs with 6 cylinders as well.
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The general impression of these cars are that they look like the 1968 Plymouth Belvedere for the 4dr and the Dodge Charger/Plymouth Roadrunner for the coupe, but they are smaller (although larger than the Dodge Dart). However, the interior (esp the dashboard) remind you of the early 70s Dodge Dart/Plymouth Valiant. These coupes are not available in large numbers, but are collected by some purists and are hard to sell, since gas consumption is high, compared to the 4 cylinder cars the Argentine consumer is used to.
During this period, Dodge pickups and large trucks were built and sold. The styles were the 1962 to 1970 American version. The trucks were produced till 1979, when Chrysler went through it crisis and sold the company to Volkswagen. The only car to be produced later by Volkswagen was the 1500 (Hillman as shown accurately elsewhere on this site) produced till 1990.
Chrysler did not reappear on the market until 1992 when a local dealer, Sidway S.a, set up shop and began importing these models: Chrysler Caravan, Chrysler Stratus, Chrysler Neon, Chrysler Intrepid, Dodge Viper, Dodge DAkota, Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Chrysler Spirit, and Chrysler Shadow. (Notice how Chrysler does not brand them Dodge or Plymouth outside of the U.S., but for some unknown reason leaves out models such as the Chrysler Cirrus, instead rebadging the Dodge Stratus.)
Chrysler Argentina S.A has since then been formed and now builds Cherokees and Grand Cherokees in the City of Cordoba, Argentina for local sale as well as for the Brazilian market. It continues to import the current line of Chrysler (actually rebadged Dodge) vehicles.
Two interesting pieces of local Chrysler history: a form of stock car racing exists where these three cars compete: the 1970s GTX coupe, the 1972 Chevy Nova, and the 1962 version of the Ford Falcon. Despite the fact these cars have not been produced for years, they are still raced and thus have survived. So there was a following of Chrysler/Dodge fans for many years. Also, there is a building in Buenos Aires which is called the Chrysler Building! The building still stands and appears to be abandoned, but it was used in the 1920s and 1930s by whomever was the importer of Chrysler products back then. It is said to contain an oval race track on the roof (!) used to test cars that were assembled locally back then.
Click here for information on the Hillman Avenger in Argentina - known as the Dodge 1500 and Dodge 1800
Francisco J. Bóscolo wrote:
You can visit Francisco's web site here.
From the Valiant II, Chrysler made a GT version with two carburetors and (logically) a different intake. Today this intake are very rare and those witih a Chrysler inline six want to have 2 carburetors.
After that came the Dodge Coronado and Polara. They were almost the same car inside but totally different from the outside. They were all with slant six engines too. It was the 225. The Coronado was the luxury car and the first that appear (I think). It had a black vinyl roof. The second was the Polara that was basic. Both had the same engine, but slightly different carburetors. The coupe (GTX) appeared in 1969 with a 318 cubic inch V8 (212 hp) and a 225 cubic inch (3.7 liter) six, with a bigger carburetor for more power. There was also a four-speed manual transmission Polara, with the GTX carburetor on the 3.7 liter slant six.
In 1972 or 1973 came a restyling of the whole line with a new front and rear (see the GTX photos on this page); the gauges had more modern numbers and the interior could be black or beige, with gauges in black-on-white or white-on-black. The GTX now had a standard V8 and the Polara Coupe arrived with basic equipment, all-drum brakes and 3 gears on the steering column. The Dodge 1500, based on the Hillman, also arrived, with a 1.5 liter 1500 and a 1.8 liter with more options. Some years later Chrysler sold a similar GT100 (1.8 100HP) and a GT90 (90 hp SAE, dual carb). They were the compact sport cars. After 1980/81, this car was manufactured by Volkswagen with a little restyling, and a station wagon with the 1.8 engine until 1984/85, the year of the last restyling. All were four door, even the GT.
In 1976 the Polara RT arrived with the most powerful inline 6 from Chrysler Argentina. It had some nice black stripes on the side and over the hood. By 1979 all the Polara, Coronado and GTX ended production. (See the photo below.)
Chrysler of Argentina