bob frassinetti

Thank you Julian! Is your web site still up and running? Cheers, Bob

World Rare Car's. The Justicialista cars were a turning point within the Argentine auto industry, for this was the first time a State owned company produced civil vehicles for the local market. Iame, Industria Aeronautica y Mecanica del Estado (State Mechanical and Aeronautical Industry) began to develop these vehicles during the early 50s when due to post war economic reconstruction, Argentina was lacking supplies in this area from it’s traditional providers. The “Justicialista” cars were mainly done in a somewhat artisan manufacture way, were each production line was connected with the individual production of some car parts. Two sorts of vehicles were produced by this State owned firm: sedan and utility vehicles. While the first had been conceived by a team of airplane designers and its aesthetic was inspired by the 1951 Chevrolet; the pick up was the result of Cesar Castanos’s own development and work. He, himself had addressed General Peron, showed him his sketches, bought the matrix and developed his own blueprints to create his vehicle, then christened “Castanito”. There were also motorbikes and “Rastrojero” trucks. By 1952, IAME industries while indeed producing at a restricted level was working with the latest technological features, such as the development of car bodywork in polyester resin, which at that time was only being tried in the United States. By 1954 they had already developed a prototype made out of that material to be used in the development of a V8 engine, cooled by air; this was a special motor block, because it was made in 2 cylinder semi blocks, allowing a variety of V motors -2, 4, 5 cylinders- and a mix and match configuration use. The Justicialista was the car identified with “Peronism”, a strong populist government in which workers had accessed a better living standard very similar to that of the new deal in the United States. Hence the name of the car could be translated the Justice-maker car. It was Brigadier Juan Ignacio San Martin who came up with the idea of transforming the military industries into mixed military and civilian. President Juan Domingo Peron agreed, and that was the beginning of a very interesting car production, linked deeply to the historical moment Argentina was going thru and to the local style taste. The original project and planning lasted only until 1955, when due to political reasons; the concept was reevaluated and repositioned. A military coupe had overthrown president Peron, and the new government changed the car identified with his presidency for another model much more in tone with the new political perspective ……………… More information in my next post, thank you for raeding, Bob Frassinetti

History of the first automobile industrial plant in Argentina. Hope I have been of help to that Kaiser fan! Bob Frassinetti. IKA �Kaiser Industries Argentina- was founded on January 19th 1955. The Argentinean government and the American businessman Henry Kaiser associated to establish an automobile industrial plant in the country. Located in Santa Isabel, Córdoba, this was the first national automobile industrial plant. The Kaiser Industrial Center had about two hundred and forty hectares, where, after ten prosperous years, more than eleven hundred workers were employed. On April 22nd 1955, the worldly famous Kaiser Jeep was, for the first time, produced and sold in Argentina. The next year, specially designed for rural purposes, the Estanciera enters the market, an icon regarding merchandize transportation that converged car�s commodities and velocity with the dimensions requested by transportation companies for shipping the products; also, this vehicle was more than suitable for the rocky Argentinean roads. By 1958 the first car to be produced in the country by chain of montage was the Kaiser Carabela sedan. After launching this vehicle to the market, IKA controlled more than the 81% of the national car production. IKA maintained it�s high productivity all along it�s short history, launching to the market almost one new model per year. In 1959 Baqueano, in 1960 Kaiser Bergantín and the Dauphine (also the Gordini version), in 1962 the famous Rambler, licensed by American Motors, in 1964 it produced a new Jeep: the Gladiator, and by December with less than ten plants in the country IKA exceeds the 250.000 autos production. By April 1965 the company produces a new Rambler with Tornado engine, and includes this powerful engine to other models such as the Estanciera and the Gladiator Jeep. On October that year, IKA buys SIAM auto industries increasing even more its vertiginous growth. In 1966 the Torino, IKA�s first integral national product enters the market. One year latter, on November 1967 Régie Nationale des Usines, Renault joins IKA. >From then on, Kaiser would no longer be IKA, but IKA-Renault, a very profitable partnership that would soon give birth to mass consumption models such as the Renault 12. This opens a new era in the Argentinean car industry. As for after 1975, the plant located at Santa Isabel would no longer be IKA, but Renault Argentina S. Rambler American Rouge is like the Torino,made in Argentina? Read on and enjoy and mystery ..... There's a mystery around the Argentine Torino car. This model is not only not a Ford, but it's completely different from the American version. The first question that arises is: How did the Argentineans managed to use an American trademark for a completely different product without being busted? First a bit of history about the magnificent American Torino model. This car was produced by Ford for the American market between 1968-1976. It was a medium size version for those days' standards and it replaced the Ford Fairlane, although that name was retained for the base models with different trim than those that wore the Torino name. Available in a number of body styles this model featured a two-door fastback, two or four-door hardtop, a four-door station wagon, and a two-door convertible, while the Ford Ranchero car-based pickup used the same front end. Engine choices ranged from a 302 cubic inch small-block V8 to Ford's FE series 390 cubic inch big-block. The Torino GT was the upscale model, with extra 'sport' trim. During the following years much work would be done around this model, impoving its outstanding characteristics and expressing the latest innovations within the autoproduction industry. Its stylish and cool appearance was what guys called a "chick magnect" as well as an outstanding car. That's why it has remained as a beloved and covetted possetion to our days, when some of these terrific pieces are collectables. The Argentinean Torino also has a rich history to offer. Alike the American Torino, the Argentinean one was a breackthrough automobile. In 1966 the Torino, IKA's first integral national product enters the market. One year latter, on November 1967 R¿gie Nationale des Usines, Renault joins IKA. >From then on, Kaiser would no longer be IKA, but IKA-Renault, a very profitable partnership that would soon give birth to mass consumption models such as the Renault 12. This opens a new era in the Argentinean car industry. According to the sources we've researched, IKA and American Motors had signed an agreement for this car's production in our country. The Rambler American Rouge was the foundation from which engineers and designers would be working on to create "our" Torino. The famous Italian carman Pininfarina would be the one who would adapt that standard version to the Latin style market by altering the front end and grille as well as the interior. The ultimate cool detail was the bull plaque on the grill, as a homage to the Argentine's pampas that at the same time traced a link line with Ferrari's "cavallino rampanti"-wild horse- and Lamborghini's bull. On November 30th 1966 this glamorous car was presented to the Argentine market. Alike the American model, this Torino's impact on the consumers' market was just perfect. Everybody wanted to own a Torino, it was a cool, glamorous, fast and top of the top possession. Specially after the record breaking in Nuremberg in 1969 after 84 hours run. And also, alike the American one still is, and has become a precious collectible for those automobile lovers. Such was this car's impact in to the Latin market that soon after it was released, there were made scale auto models reproductions of this beauty. Among the most careful and glorious diecast Torino examples was Buby's, a coveted toy back then and a beloved collectible nowadays. It appears the mystery has been solved. Two different models, sharing the same name which have had an incredible impact within the automobile market and have set really high standards for future productions and left a permanent mark within this industry's evolution. Bob Frassinetti, travelling the south of South America for art and antique cars and antiques,....