Time for one more look at the alternative reality of South American variants of known models. This time, the Fiat Panorama, an offshoot of the 147, itself based on the influential FWD 127 of 1971. As expected, the Panorama belongs to what was a growing roster of models by Fiat of Brazil, as it strived to gain ground in what had become a rather competitive market. In the end, the model wasn’t a firestorm seller but did allow Fiat to gain a foothold in the 2-door wagon segment, a relevant market in Brazil at the time.
For those of you with access to maps, you must have noticed that South America is kind of a large place. Mostly developing nations, but with enough folk living there to justify automotive endeavors. As such, foreign players toyed with the idea of installing themselves in the region from very early on. Being the largest economies, Argentina and Brazil were the first targets, with Ford and GM starting assembly lines in both back in the 1920s.
With large Italian and German communities residing in Argentina and Brazil, it was natural carmakers from those nations would eventually show up. In the case of Brazil, that didn’t occur until after WWII, with VW arriving in 1953, Mercedes in 1956, and in the case of Fiat, in the ’70s. Contruction of their Brazilian factory started in 1973 in the town of Betim, in Minas Gerais (above). Three years later, in 1976, Fiat’s first Brazilian-built models appeared.
1980 Fiat 147, in Brazil. Photo from the Cohort, by Alberto Simon.
Now, Fiat was arriving late to the South American party, as various major players had already a significant presence in the Brazilian market. But Fiat was still a huge global player at the time, with a roster of cost-efficient vehicles filled with advanced technology. As such, their trendsetting FWD 127 -European car of the year in 1971- served as the foundation for Fiat of Brazil’s aspirations and appeared in the local market as the 147.
The new model arrived with some changes to cope with local conditions; mostly to deal with Brazil’s lower octane fuels. Thus, a slightly larger 1049cc engine came as standard, with a low compression ratio of 7.2 to 1. Press reports from the time felt that these mods provided a smoother and quieter drive, as well as additional torque. Indeed, the 147’s 1.05L engine would eventually appear in Europe, on the Series 2 127.
Attributes such as fuel economy and FWD traction were much touted in the Brazilian market at the 147’s launch. In a typical stunt-ad of the period, the model is put to the test, covering the 14 kilometers of Ponte Rio Niteroi in Rio de Janeiro, using only 1 liter of fuel.
In 1980, the 147-derived Panorama would arrive, ready to satisfy Brazil’s 2-door wagon market. A segment already crowded, locally known as ‘peruas’, with established players from the competition: Chevrolet’s Caravan, VW’s Variant II, and Ford’s Belina.
Besides the 1.05L engine, an additional 1.3L with 61 HP was offered in the Panorama. The additional mill could work either with regular petrol or ethanol. As for the rest of the mechanicals, the 127’s legacy still felt very modern for the time; Mc Phersons upfront with stabilizer bars, independent rear suspension, and front discs. A 4-speed manual was the sole transmission available. In period ads, the interior’s accommodations and space served as its main attraction. On the latter, it offered more than competitors of similar size.
From brochure photos, one can see the Panorama benefitted from rather efficient and distinctive ergonomics. Plasticky too, but it was the start of the ’80s, so very in keeping with expectations. Regardless, it all looked attractively arranged and designed, topped by an ample greenhouse with good visibility. By 1983, a 5-speed would become available, and interior and exterior would get slight updates.
About 115K units of the Panorama were built from 1980-86, with about half of them sent to other markets like Argentina and Chile. A small number also crossed the Atlantic and were sold in a few European nations. With the Panorama’s stint over, the Uno-derived Elva arrived in ’87.
Meanwhile, 147-derived models would remain on offer for some time. Like this pickup ‘City’ being promoted in a Salvadorian newspaper from 1988. I actually saw one of these rare pickups a couple of years ago in San Salvador’s streets, but it hasn’t appeared since. Will I ever come across it again, or has it finally gone to Italian automotive heaven?
Let’s check out today’s find in San Salvador. Previous posts of mine might give the wrong idea that Fiats are a common sight in this city, but quite the contrary. They’re awfully rare. In reality, the story of Fiat in this Central American nation follows the brand’s global fate. At some point, it was a common player in the low-cost segment during the ’70s, quickly vanishing through the ’80s, and being all but unknown nowadays to the locals.
So this is the only Panorama I’ve ever seen. In my whole life. How does it keep running? To begin with, the owner seems to be a construction handyman who also delves into mechanical work. As will be clear in some of these shots, it’s someone who knows his way around tools and cheap repairs.
We’ll start with this makeshift roof rack, nicely painted in white. I’ll have to say, it’s the one add-on that almost looks like a factory accessory. Relatively speaking.
If you need help with the Spanish stickers, they read: “Honking less, feels super good” and “Keep your distance.” By the way, I believe those tail lights are Nissan or Toyota in origin.
The grille shows a good deal of handiwork with a makeshift Fiat logo, where some spray-painted rebars serve in lieu. This owner may not know his way around eBay to order Fiat parts, but he certainly does his best to keep this old Panorama looking as good as he can.
The clamshell hood and its vent slots just say ‘European’ to me. Meanwhile, the papers on the dashboard say ‘Salvadorian worker with bills to pay and much red tape to deal with.’ (Trust me, I know!)
Showing less effort, a water bottle cap covers the gas reservoir. The black-painted surrounding makes me believe that this cap isn’t a tight fit. What do you think? Finesse may be beyond this owner’s capabilities, but this is Curbside Classics, not Showroom Classics; right?
Talking about shoddy work, some could make the argument that the Panorama had some even from the factory. That all too-obvious added panel by Fiat of Brazil to build the little wagon’s body is not exactly seamless. If you wonder, it’s on both sides and it came as such when new.
As usual, being a car with tinted windows, I owe you some interior shots. Although I sort of have some…
You see, I knew of this car for some time as I had seen it a few times around town. Once, its driver came to pick up some relative at the local mall (I swear I wasn’t following him. My car-stalking is purely accidental)…
And I got this one shot then. One image, sure, but it does look like the interior is faring worse than the exterior. A few seconds later, the little Panorama parted, pulling away in what seemed like slow motion.
Keeping in mind the logic of the Brazilian market, the Panorama was a pretty good deal when it appeared in 1980. However, competitors didn’t remain still and by 1982, VW of Brazil released the Parati. The 2-door wagon was a variant of VW’s new FWD Gol and took off in the local market. The Parati should be familiar to US eyes, as it was sold in the States as the Fox.
The Gol line would remain a mainstay of VW in the region, until finally fading away in December 2022.
For all effects and purposes, Fiat remains doing generally well in South America; the only region where it does so outside of Italy. It’s fairly easy to find Fiat clubs and fans of Italian brands in the region, and even obscure models get glowing commentary on local websites. Meanwhile, Fiat’s South American factories keep humming along, and their products are considered competitive.
It’s honestly hard to imagine a future when Italian carmakers gain the global prominence they once had in the low-cost market. But stranger things have occurred, right? For the time being, their legacy seems solid and well-remembered in South America.
Further reading:
Curbside Classic: Fiat 127 – A Tad Over The 50 Mark
Automotive History: Volkswagen Gol – The Difficult Mission To Replace a Legend
Curbside Classic: 1987 Volkswagen Fox – This German Fox Has A Brazilian Accent
Really interesting post, Mr Baron. I had no idea whatsoever that Fiat still flourished in the South American continent.
I’m struck by the 7.2:1 compression ratio. One might reasonably speculate that any panorama unfolding before the Panorama does so without haste. Think of an early 1 litre turbo – they existed, the Daihatsu Charade was one such – where the turbo never kicks in. The San Salvadorian builder here may have very good reasons to have a less honking sticker stuck on the posterior of his remarkable survivor.
Fiat is still the #1 brand in Brazil followed by VW, Chevrolet, Toyota and Hyundai. The #1 selling vehicle is the Fiat Strada pickup.
Which would also sell like hotcakes in the US if they brought it in. Badged a RAM of course (as it is in Mexico already).
I feel a bit foolish. On my calculations, Fiat sold 400,000-odd cars there in 2023, including about 100,000 Stradas! Well, now I know better.
Amazing to think that Fiat still exists. They’re practically invisible here. A friend had a Thingo*, but it’s the only newish Fiat car I’ve seen in something like 30 years.
*turns out it’s a Punto; I just knew it ended in -o.
Lovely! An old friend drived one in the 90s. These were huge inside and small outside. I loved the sound of the FIASA engine too.
Ah yes low octane mods for local consumption, it was a thing here too, lower compression engines to cope with our crap fuel,
Ive restored the compression of my old Hillman it had faded some after 129,000 miles it coped with 91 octane previously even with 7 leaking valves, should go ok with a fully recon engine or at least as well as it used to
Rich – I am glad you included a photo of the VW Parati; it is handsome. Looks much like an early Scirocco – all the good Giugiaro design elements expanded somewhat to make a real wagon. I never knew about it. Nice.
I’m pretty sure that Parvati was sold in the US (and Canada?) as the VW Fox. Quite common for a while, perhaps because it was sold here before any Jetta wagon was available, but a rare sighting nowadays.
Definitely both the US and Canada. I believe into the early 1990s for Canada.
Here is a feature of a used one in 2021. https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/autotrader-find-1989-volkswagen-fox-gl-wagon
We’ve covered the Fox several times here at CC. Here’s the wagon:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-european/curbside-classic-1987-volkswagen-fox-gol-ly/
Just a few months ago I spotted a white Fox wagon sitting in the storage lot of the local VW dealer, but it was too far away to shoot. A trade in? It’s gone now.
I meant to add a line on the text, but forgot; “the Parati should be familiar to US eyes, as it was sold in the States as the Fox.” In any case, as Paul mentions, the Gol/Fox chapter has appeared at CC a few times.
I didn’t expect this.
A post here about a Fiat Panorama.
I had this car. And it was a good surprise.
Even though it wasn’t very pretty, it was very efficient, considering the options we had here in Brazil.
Very, very different from the options in the USA.
Good post.
Has an early ’70s designed/styled appearance. Modernized slightly, by the use of blackout trim. Window moldings and window shapes, lend a dated appearance, even by early ’80s standards. ’60s era Mister Donut branding, compliments the car. Would have a slight Lada Niva SUV-version vibe to it, if the ride height was raised.
If marketed in the US and/or Canada, would have likely well-earned a POS reputation by the mid-80s (or sooner). Probably, upon launch.
Dashboard look and feel, reminds me of the handheld Entex Electronic Baseball game, I got for Christmas in 1979.
An interesting little car, the four door in the commercial looks snug inside but not terribly cramped .
Fiat and Renault, making cars for the average person long after no one else cared .
-Nate
In my corner of the world in the 70s, Fiat and Renault were the main actors in the importmarket for cars. In some years the one on top of the list, in some years the other. Today, both are not more than also-rans.
Especially Fiat became almost meaningless. The only thing that still sells is the (retro) Fiat 500 series.
It would be interesting to investigate the decline of this priviously proud Italian brand.
I love how European cars like this and others were adapted to South American market needs and local conditions. I wonder if the Panorama still used the 127/147 strut IRS or whether it was given a simple beam axle. I certainly suspect the City pickup was.
Brazilian automotive site Quatro Rodas (about the best one on that In Brazil), says the Panorama had IRS. So it does sound like it kept the 127/147 setup. Also, by ’83 a 5-speed became available (I should add that bit on the post).
Very little on the City pickup in general, as it’s only mentioned in passing on articles talking about Fiat’s more successful later models. But yes, the beam axle on the little pickup is the most logical assumption.
My brother drove a 1981 Panorama Diesel for a couple of years, provided by his employer. It was a very efficient disaster. Being 1 or 2 years old, and low km, it wouldn’t start, wouldn’t stop, clatter all around. The gearshift could be seen moving, and once, downshifting, he was left with the stick in his hand. He drove all the way in second, I don’t remember how. In 1983 the new generation appeared, and almost all of the cars sold here were Diesel. I believe European 1301 cc Diesels were Brazilian made, for export only as Diesel cars were not allowed in Brazil then. There was a Diesel mania, you could smell it in the air. I had several friends with one of those, so I got quite a lot of seat time…not good cars, even for their time. We also had the pick ups as well as closed vans, which came to be called the Fiorino.
The wagon substitute of the 147 was called Elba or Duna depending on the market, not Elva (the sedan was either Duna or Premio) 🙂 and they were sold also here in Italy, as Fiat Duna (1987-1991, sedan and wagon) and Innocenti Elba (1991-97, only wagon).
We got also the 147 Panorama, as 127 Panorama (1981-1986) with 1050 petrol and 1300 diesel engines, it was reasonably popular at the time and rare today as they were usually exploited to death (but I saw one a few months ago, even more incredibily in good shape)
Other.than the occasional 124 Sport and Spyder, old Fiats disappeared from Canada a long time ago. The 500 is pretty common now – maybe they’ve learned a thing or two about the North American market and how to build cars that actually hold up here. I wouldn’t mind taking a 500 Abarth for a spin – I love the exhaust note. By the way, cool shot of the Mister Donut! There used to be one close to where I worked back in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, but the last Toronto outlets closed in 2006. Too bad – they had pretty good coffee.
Since station wagons often end up in business uses, how common was the Fiat Fiorino van or rather its Brazilian equivalent? I remember seeing these 127 based furgonetas all over Spain in the 80s as dual use vehicles with side windows and rear seats. The first generation used 127 or 147 platforms and then evolved onto the Uno.
^in Italy Fiorinos were very common especially as vans but also as mixed use passenger vehicles. Pickups were relatively popular too. Even now I see some of them, mainly second series (1988-2000) but sometimes also first series (but only 1983+ models)