My Portuguese is rusty, but here you go.

 

Does anyone have an idea why they've built such different trucks down there?

 

Different (Power) Strokes for different folks?!
JML

 

The link I posted had a pretty good story and explanation. It's all about taxes and protectionism, not giving people choice and/or a free market. You might have to read down through some of the comments to get the full story.

https://redirect.viglink.com/?format...ck-car-mashups


Leo Contesini
3 January, 2021

Replying to James Gilboy
This is Just part of the story. From 1976 to 1990, there was an import ban as a protectionist measure. Despite the overpopulated metropolitan areas of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro ir Belo Horizonte, Brazilian mid-west and southern states always had a great demand for trucks. This is why we had the F1000 (Brazilian iteration of F150) and the aforementioned D20. But then came the import ban, not only for cars, but also for electronics, clothes, shoes, musical instruments... There was a huge demand for all of this, but we were Just not allowed to have them. Then the Brazilian adaptations began to show up. Some of these "transformations" were pretty similar to American SUV, like the Brasinca Andaluz or the Brasinca Mangalarga - the only way to have a Chevy Blazer in Brazil back then. Others, however, were designed and built like Full size sedans on truck chassis. And here enters the diesel restrictions for passenger cars: Brazil is a continental country such as US. We drive a Lot for travelling and gas prices are a bit expensive. Diesel have government subsidies, thus the legal restrictions to passenger cars. So these kind of sedan truck was invented based on legal loopholes regarding diesel vehicles. When the import ban was raised in early 90s, trucks and SUV like the Jeep Cherokee and Grande Cherokee, the Toyota Hilux, Chevy S10 Blazer and even Ford Explorer became Very popular from 1993 to 1999, before the First BRL/USD crisis.

 

The market tells the manufacturer what to make. The needs and wants and preferences of the Brazilian people are different than ours.

 

While that may be partially true in our country, I don't believe that's the case in other, more socialistic countries. I'm still waiting for the phone that doesn't cost a thousand dollars anymore, but there are others wishing they at least had the choice. I would invite everyone read, or re-read, the story response I posted above from Leo Contesini, someone who lived (or lives) it. Those who believe the picture painted by Marxist types is so rosy really should take a closer look at the fruits of those decisions others are truly enduring.

 

 

They must have really had to adjust for air speed

 

Here's an oddball truck I saw in person yesterday at the Symco Weekender

The guy mounted a hit and miss engine into his truck. He said the top speed was about10mph but he was able to complete a sled pulling contest with the truck, it has plenty of pulling power.

Here's a write up about the builder and truck

https://www.farmcollector.com/gas-en...zm0z21julzbut/

 

Great article Bob.... thanks for posting a true "oddball pics".

 

The condition of the roads has something to do with it also. Also they do not have the Federal regulations to contend with down there. I visited the Dodge Truck plant in Mexico City years ago before it was moved to Satillo and they build all sorts of different vehicles there based upon the Dodge Ram cab/chassis. They actually were grafting bus and long truck bodies & chassis onto the Dodge Ram cab. They were still building Dodge Ramchargers there also.

It looks like they are still doing things differently. Here is an ad for a Ram 700. https://www.thedrive.com/news/36976/...riginal-dakota

 

Argentina had the Ford Falcon until 1990 or 91.
it was based on the 62-63 American Falcon.
they could do a lot of things down there because they did not have EPA or government meddling.

 

And they don’t have to deal with the fickle American buyers that need something “new” and “stylish” every time the breeze switches direction.

 

Woulda liked to know more about what Pat Dawton does with his truck.

 

It appears he's homeless and lives in the truck, and forgot to take out the garbage this morning. Seems to have had a good stock of TP though.