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,....