This is just a "pickup" version of Renault/Dacia Duster, which is a small SUV derived from Renault/Dacia Logan. It´s a cheap car built over a cheap platform. I´m adding some photos, and removing the "show car" style the Duster is a very mundane car. The finish is poor, and plastics are "concrete smooth".
Arghhh!!!!!
Because of all old platforms used by brazilian Chevrolet, I use to call your dealers lots "Jurassic Park".
Kia!
No, it´s a legal requirement in Brazil, even today. All cars must have one to be allowed to sell here.
Want one? Came to Brazil... Here, there´s an '94 (ok, it´s in very good shape) for just US$ 27.000 (or R$ 65.000).
Anyone who believes in a marxist deserves to be fooled.
I´m curious... How a Model S compares to this beasts?
Boat? Where?
SP2 are beautiful in any color!!!!
Get the children out of the room!!!
In earlier 60's, there was a "money trap" called IBAP, in Brazil. They will produce a revolutionary (for the country and the time) car called "Presidente" (it looks like a rear engined Mustang), but everything is just a big lie. The story (in Portuguese) will be found in this page "http://bestcars.uol.com.br/classicos/…
Ah, that dual-carb tunning... In our house we had a '71 TL, a '76 and '82 Brasilias, and I still have an '73 SP2 (partially dismanteled...), and one thing I had t learn was exactly how to tune dual carb ("by ear"). And do it nearly once a week! (bad fuel)
Actually the security guards pursuit reporter car, forced him to stop, put a gun in his head, broked the camera and shooted the car...
This version of Variant was launched many years after the Brasília, and had a very similar design. But rear suspension problems and VERY poor performance of 1.6 engine (it was a heavy car) killed this car.
Brazilian drivers does not like the "pancake" engine because of worst acess for maintenance.
In fact the only thing Variant (the original one) had better than Brasília was cargo space. But the Brasília had a much better design, was easier to drive, had same passenger space and a better handling.
The entire story (in portuguese) can be found in digital collection of brazilian magazine "4 Rodas" (May 1973 issue, page 44 - http://quatrorodas.abril.com.br/acervodigital/).
Yes, it´s true!! This is from a brazilian website.
Most are gone, or in bad shape like the poor sample in Hammer Museum. But there´s still several in good shape. And remember this car was intended to replace VW Beetle in early 70´s.
