Renault Torino

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Late 1970s Torino Grand Routier 4-door was still based on the 1964-9 Rambler American and the 1963-4 Rambler Classic, but now incorporating AMC's flush door handles

Torino Logo

The Torino was a mid-sized automobile made by Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA) under an agreement with American Motors (AMC). (IKA was eventually bought out by Renault in 1975). The Torino began life as an Argentinian hybrid of AMC's Rambler American that was introduced in 1964, and the Rambler Classic introduced in 1963. The Torino was assembled by IKA from CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits that were imported from Kenosha, Wisconsin. IKA used the front and rear sheetmetal of the 64-65 American combined with the center section of the 63-64 Classic to create the Argentinian Torino -- basically a stretched compact American (the American rode on a 106" wheelbase, the Classic on a 112" -- like the Torino). The Torino's front unibody support rails (often erroneously referred to as subframe or frame rails) extended from the front bumper all the way back to just in front of the rear rails, a unique feature adapting it to the rougher road conditions of Argentina at the time. Cars built in the U.S.A. ended the front rails just under the front seats. The Torino was built from 1966 to 1981 in both two-door coupé and four-door sedan variants.

The Torino was originally equipped with 3·0 L and 3·8 L Jeep Tornado engines that were developed by Kaiser Motors in 1963 for the new Jeep Gladiator pickups and Wagoneer four wheel drive vehicles. This was done to increase the Argentine sourced content of the car, making it mostly a product of Argentina with few imported parts. In the Torino, the robust overhead camshaft (OHC) straight-6 (I-6) engine was available with triple-Weber carburetor versions at the top of the range (the 380W).

The car's badging was based on the city of Turin's coat of arms. The symbol was a bull standing in two legs, much like the symbol of Ferrari. The Argentinian car's front end, rear fascia, and interior were redesigned by Italian auto stylists at Pininfarina to give it a more european look, and to make it more appealing to the Argentine public and less like an American car. With the added touches the Torino was truly a product of Argentina.

A postage stamp from Argentina honoring the Torino 380W 2-door hardtop

The car was very successful in Argentina, and, when released, it placed well in international races against famous sport cars. The most important race was the "84 hours of Nurburgring" in 1969. Many Argentinians think of it as the national car, and there are many users and fan clubs.

From 1977, the top model became the Torino Grand Routier, a touring sedan. The entire range received some sheetmetal changes in 1978, (when IKA became Renault Argentina) though major panels such as the doors were carried over. The newer models were longer and the later sedans can be recognized by their full C-pillar. Previously the rear window wrapped into the sides more.

In its final year, the Torino was only available in two models (Grand Routier GR sedan and ZX Coupé)—in its heyday there were over 20.

Interestingly, by the late 1970s the Torino was the only non-Renault product manufactured by the French company. It could also be considered the last front-engine - rear-wheel-drive Renault, a rarity in itself.

[edit] External links

• Torino ZX site in Spanish

• Torino page at the Rambler Rogue site
• An Argentinean Torino site and Forum in Spanish
• Another Torino site in Spanish
• Fan Club in Argentina

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