(first posted 10/13/2017) In the Brazilian Ford Truck Sedan post, CC commenter Ramon Rivera left a picture of this Argentine truck sedan, a Rastrojero Conosur. Well, let’s just say it’s not exactly quite as well designed and finished as the Brazilian Ford. In fact, not to be disparaging, but this has to go down as one of the cruder cars made. I know it’s a bit old and passé, but I could just see Borat driving this back home.
The Rastrojero Conosur was designed to be used as a taxi, and built only between 1974 – 1979 by IAME. It was essentially a double cab sedan version of the Rastrojero truck, which built from 1968 – 1979. Interestingly, these were powered by the Indenor Peugeot 2 liter diesel engine, as used in the Peugeot 404 and 504. But the engine was backed by a Borgward transmission, a carryover from the previous Ratrojero truck, which used a Borgward diesel engine, along with a Willys 134 gas four.
Here’s the four door pickup version.
And there was a wagon too.
This particular Conosur looks like it’s been around the block a few times; more the world. But it’s still going, or was, in 2013 when it was shot and posted at the retrovisiones.com web site.
Racks on the roof and the trunk. I bet this things has hauled some loads in its time.
It’s limited to 110 kmh (67 mph). Maybe because it’s technically a truck?
There’s no question that diesel is its fuel of choice.
Imagine the reception you’d get if you showed up at your local car & coffee or other car show in this. Keep ’em guessing.
These were pretty common in Buenos Aires by mid ’70s. Taxis there are painted black with yellow roofs, and were pretty awkward. Any comfort gained by height and square “styling” was negated by its engine. The Indenor was as noisy as you get them, also in the 404. The 504 was better isolated. The 110 km/h is probably optimistic as to the speed this contraption would achieve. But it’s common, here in Uruguay and also in Argentina, that large commercial vehicles show that sign as to maximum legal speed in some freeways (far from all).
A neighbor in my apartment building had one pick up brand new. It was probably ´72. It would spill soot from minute 1, everyday, and the smoke could be smelled from my 7th floor, not to say anything of the vrooom. Which was not like the vrooom of big engined cars or even buses, it was more like something trying with all its power to dismantle itself.
BTW, rear lights of the formerly silver example are newer additions, around 1982 Fiat 128 Europa units.
Good Lord – in the old USSR and Eastern-Bloc states, this would pass for well-built – although not quite a ZIL. Sure gives a Moskvitch a run for its rubles!
Harsh.
At least the Moskvich was styled properly.
This reminds me more of the NSU wagons they made in Uruguay in the ’60s.
Still looks better than Our Paykan.that XD90 On 504(2.1L) was Having Alot of Head issues Mainly because of Being Wet Sleeve.XD2(2.3L) Which came out Later(Dry Sleeve)Was way more Reliable.interesting CC.Thanks.
Really better looking than a Paykan? Sure, the Paykan was old-looking – it was based on a 1967 Hillman, but it wasn’t hideous like this Conosur.
Fully agree, tonyola. The Paykan wasn’t that bad. Nor the Hillman.
That Rastrojero, however, would definitely make my top 5 list of ugliest production cars ever.
A new one to me. It is a rustic but certainly has an honest looking character to it.
This must be the argentinian Checker. As I understand these were mainly used as fleet cars.
Para decir la verdad ustedes están mostrando fotografías de rastrojeros en estado destruido porque hay pocos ejemplares en circulación. La realidad es que estos vehículos eran muy nobles y una suspensión muy confortable . Eran útiles tanto en el country Side como en la ciudad . Los vehículos rastrojero conosur eran como estar en un carruaje sin el caballo adelante simplemente con un motor diesel. The design looks outrageous what it is quite functional an absolutely original like no other. This is the code for the local Cowboys or gauchos
Ah, the ol’ Conosur! Here is some trivia about it: the boot lid is the used in the 4-door IKA Torino.
And the general design of the ’69 Rastrojero is based on the Fiat 1800/2300.
Well, the likeness to the Pininfarina 4 door sedans of the late 50’s is not inimaginable (404, Fiat 1800, your own Siam Di Tella), but the proportions are completely…well, out of proportion (and lacks the tailfins).
The front end has a Ford Transit vibe going on, no?
The headlight surrounds could almost be those Transit ones turned through 90 degrees.
This automobil is the result of brilliant idea When the Sources aren’t Enough, the Company put bodywork This is the Origin of the rastrojero Because it can be driven over the mud tracks over the non asphalted rural áreas, Rastrojo mean wet track surface, And this machines could Transfer 5 workers in delightful comfort,softsuspension Easy To Repair Low maintenance and quite reliable like nowadays 4x4s.
Company boots and bodywork carrozzeria Over The Farmers tractor engine. This is the origin of Ras strojero
Here, the Rastrojero Conosur, The “Checker” Buenos Aires taxi car version.
I’d like to show up at the country-club with this!
Happy Motoring, Mark
Looks like they produced the rejected International sedan prototype…although with a double stretch and brougham package, could have something..
It’s a pisser! But I would love to own one myself. What a screech to show up any where in this thing! It is good to know that two of you who are familiar with it attest to its comfort. Thanks for showing us this vehicle.
I’m just guessing, but as is an F-250 is to Wyoming, as a Subaru is to Vermont, as a Prius is to West LA so must a Rastrojero have been to Patagonia or Jujuy.
Gee, I don’t know what to say. This thing is just sad and tired looking. Downright pitiful. Where’s Vigil Exner ? We need you over here !
Or maybe his next styling cycle was discovered.
Here’s the new version:
Another
I would drive that in a heartbeat. A giant automotive middle finger to the hordes of shallow, texting, gotta have the newest because its trendy So. Cal. drivers.
I’ll take the wagon, complete with bent bumper and roof-rack. I wonder if the tailgate stays open with springs, or one needs to jam a stick in!
Happy Motoring, Mark
I do see a hint of the Peugeot 404 in the styling at the front – looks very rough-hewn but obviously that worked in its favor if there are still a number of them running now.
Chrysler may have ended up looking like this if KT Keller had remained, this company apparently did not have a styling department.. If the decklid is off a IKA Torino, it’s bigger than it looked at first. Is it perspective, or is the front tire twice the size of the rear on the silver sedan/
Sensuous body lines !!
I have a suspicion that somebody saw the clay model of the stillborn Borgward Isabella* and made a poor copy from memory.
Adding a nod to the the IKA Torino rear panel attempts to add some class.
But what a wonderful makeshift vehicle for a controlled economy country!
*the car was never finalised – but a what could be front wing appears to have slipped into the Hansa 1100 section on the website http://www.pietro-frua.de/
Sometimes looking through CC one wonders if there is an alternative timeline running out there. The Rastrojero gives the impression of having been designed on a fag packet by a boy who had never seen a car or ridden in one except for a picture of a Pug 504. Worse, Manuel from the local blacksmiths offered to help out with the panel beating.
Truly awful. But who wouldn’t want one.
As per Paul, showing up at a car show with this would be a gas (or Diesel). I wouldn’t mind owning one as an occasional driver. Afficionados would exalt me. Infidels would be converted to “Odd Transport” a grand cult, and, in general, this is a fun vehicle for America. Promotional items on cereal boxes when I was a child would often say, “Be the first kid on your block…” Me, Me! I want one. And thanks for republishing this.
Looks like taillights from a late Fiat 128 on the silver colored car.
As an Argie-Yank, born in NYC, raised in Baires (Florida, Vte. Lopez), I always kinda liked these Rastrojeros. I also had a fever dream that if I should ever have the means to comfortably do a restomod project, I would get a pair of the four door ones with the trunk and have the Ringbrothers do their magic and transform it into something scary fast, full of high end leather and billet details for days.
Also, the tail lights on the one here in the article comes from a Fiat 128 Super Europa.