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- Life long involved with cars. Classics, hot rods, drag racing and now.. trying to become a aircraft mechanic.
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Curbside Classics Archives
About Author: Rubens
Posts by Rubens
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![(first posted 10/4/2015) As I’ve written in the past, the first generation of automakers that landed in Brazil used to produce really crappy cars. Well, all of them but one: […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/vw-gol.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Volkswagen Gol – The Difficult Mission to Replace a Legend")
Automotive History: Volkswagen Gol – The Difficult Mission to Replace a Legend
Posted on October 4, 2021 | 68 Comments(first posted 10/4/2015) As I’ve written in the past, the first generation of automakers that landed in Brazil used to produce really crappy cars. Well, all of them but one: […] -
![(first posted 7/27/2015) We all love to see how the American iron ( and aluminum) get their life span stretched in other parts of the world, especially here in […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/T33.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Aviation History: Bolivian T-33 – The Endless Duty")
Aviation History: Bolivian T-33 – The Endless Duty
Posted on July 27, 2021 | 29 Comments(first posted 7/27/2015) We all love to see how the American iron ( and aluminum) get their life span stretched in other parts of the world, especially here in […] -
![(first posted 7/25/2015) Chrysler’s history in Brazil is very much a V8-dominated story during the sixties and seventies. In 1959, the Simca Chambord powered by the small Ford […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Dodge-BR-Charger.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Global: The Brazilian Dodge Dart/Charger – Genuine Mopar V8 This Time Around")
CC Global: The Brazilian Dodge Dart/Charger – Genuine Mopar V8 This Time Around
Posted on July 25, 2021 | 34 Comments(first posted 7/25/2015) Chrysler’s history in Brazil is very much a V8-dominated story during the sixties and seventies. In 1959, the Simca Chambord powered by the small Ford […] -
![(first posted 6/16/2015) It’s easy to understand the spell American V8s cast upon gearheads all over the world. The sound, the “punch like” acceleration, the whole “bad ass” attitude it […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Simca-BR-Chambord.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Simca Chambord, Brazil’s First V8 – From Ford Flathead To Hemihead")
Automotive History: Simca Chambord, Brazil’s First V8 – From Ford Flathead To Hemihead
Posted on June 15, 2021 | 50 Comments(first posted 6/16/2015) It’s easy to understand the spell American V8s cast upon gearheads all over the world. The sound, the “punch like” acceleration, the whole “bad ass” attitude it […] -
![(first posted 6/1/2015) Brazil’s political history is more than a bit complicated, and often a bit less than democratic, to say the least. Before World War II we had right […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Alfa-BR.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Global: Alfa Romeo in Brazil – A Matter Of Pride And Confusion")
CC Global: Alfa Romeo in Brazil – A Matter Of Pride And Confusion
Posted on June 2, 2021 | 42 Comments(first posted 6/1/2015) Brazil’s political history is more than a bit complicated, and often a bit less than democratic, to say the least. Before World War II we had right […] -
![(first posted 5/14/2015) Back in late 50s, the Brazilian domestic auto industry started out on the wrong foot. The first generation of cars produced in Brazil were largely European […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/opala-1969-4cc-raridade-17392-MLB20136692779_072014-F.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: Chevrolet Opala – Another International Mash-Up That Became The Most Loved Brazilian Car Of All Time")
Curbside Classic: Chevrolet Opala – Another International Mash-Up That Became The Most Loved Brazilian Car Of All Time
Posted on May 14, 2021 | 77 Comments(first posted 5/14/2015) Back in late 50s, the Brazilian domestic auto industry started out on the wrong foot. The first generation of cars produced in Brazil were largely European […] -
VW Of A Lifetime: The Perfect Gift
Posted on June 8, 2019 | 13 CommentsA story of Brazilian economics, the Speed 1600 and the inglorious story of a forgotten 1972 VW Beetle in the family. -
![My favorite automotive reporter used to say: “Motorcycles are vehicles driven by passion, not by reason” and I think I agree with him. After all, if reason was an important part […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/550291_656831741000949_1002185034_n.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Motorbikes Of A Lifetime: All The Bikes In My Life")
Motorbikes Of A Lifetime: All The Bikes In My Life
Posted on January 12, 2019 | 27 CommentsMy favorite automotive reporter used to say: “Motorcycles are vehicles driven by passion, not by reason” and I think I agree with him. After all, if reason was an important part […] -
![Back in the early 70s, the Brazilian auto industry had already shifted into second gear and was going flat out. The problematic cars of the first generation were a thing […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/chevrolet_chevette_1975_gasolina_gm_chevrolet_chevette_1973_rarissimo_6470134491337206943.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Global: The Brazilian Chevette")
CC Global: The Brazilian Chevette
Posted on May 20, 2018 | 32 CommentsBack in the early 70s, the Brazilian auto industry had already shifted into second gear and was going flat out. The problematic cars of the first generation were a thing […] -
![On the windshield of this Chevy you can read: 17-7-75, in the Brazilian way to write dates, that means July 17th, 1975. Yes, on that memorable day in my hometown […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/16314.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "A Brief Glimpse At The Brazilian Alcohol Program")
A Brief Glimpse At The Brazilian Alcohol Program
Posted on March 19, 2018 | 26 CommentsOn the windshield of this Chevy you can read: 17-7-75, in the Brazilian way to write dates, that means July 17th, 1975. Yes, on that memorable day in my hometown […] -
![Even during my early years as a kid, my father always tried to include me in all of his “automotive related” adventures. From fixing cars to motorcycle rides, he would […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/222.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Junk Yard Reflections")
Junk Yard Reflections
Posted on January 1, 2018 | 43 CommentsEven during my early years as a kid, my father always tried to include me in all of his “automotive related” adventures. From fixing cars to motorcycle rides, he would […] -
![Back in the early 1950s, when the Brazilian government made public its intention to invite automakers to start building cars in Brazil, not everyone was thrilled. At that time, my […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1967-puma-dkw.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Global: GT Malzoni, Willys Interlagos, The Factory Racing War of The 1960s and the Birth of the Puma")
CC Global: GT Malzoni, Willys Interlagos, The Factory Racing War of The 1960s and the Birth of the Puma
Posted on September 9, 2017 | 25 CommentsBack in the early 1950s, when the Brazilian government made public its intention to invite automakers to start building cars in Brazil, not everyone was thrilled. At that time, my […] -
![“The necessity is the mother of invention“. And during war time, “necessity” is a constant companion in every single step towards victory or defeat. It can be translated as “surviving” […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/GlosterMeteorFAB_02.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "The Brazilian Air Force and the Planes that Defined Us, Part Two: Peace Time")
The Brazilian Air Force and the Planes that Defined Us, Part Two: Peace Time
Posted on June 24, 2017 | 12 Comments“The necessity is the mother of invention“. And during war time, “necessity” is a constant companion in every single step towards victory or defeat. It can be translated as “surviving” […] -
![A couple of weeks ago I was driving into the parking lot of my favorite cheap Mexican fast food restaurant, Taco Bell (say what you will) and in front of me […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2016-grand_caravan-md-se_plus-blacktop.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Rant & QOTD: Nothing is Sacred Anymore")
CC Rant & QOTD: Nothing is Sacred Anymore
Posted on June 23, 2017 | 126 CommentsA couple of weeks ago I was driving into the parking lot of my favorite cheap Mexican fast food restaurant, Taco Bell (say what you will) and in front of me […] -
![April 22 is the most important day on the history of the “Força Aérea Brasileira”. On this day in 1945, FAB set its own record when the 23 […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/tf-72.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "The Brazilian Air Force and the Planes that Defined Us. Part One: War Time.")
The Brazilian Air Force and the Planes that Defined Us. Part One: War Time.
Posted on April 22, 2017 | 37 CommentsApril 22 is the most important day on the history of the “Força Aérea Brasileira”. On this day in 1945, FAB set its own record when the 23 […]
