About Tough to Crack car puzzle #138: Andino GT

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Last week’s unidentified duo spawned enough replies to make us happy. Ruud Wesselink was among them and seemed confident enough about his answer, deciphering the car as the Kohlmus Scirocco. That was a good guess and it certainly has similarities in style to that car. But it wasn’t that. Jeffrey Vogel knew, but his answer ‘Renault Andino GT built in Argentina on a Renault Gordini base. Driver mentioned would be J.M. Fangio.’ Was a bit bleak. Three times winner John Elema gave us more to chew on: “The Andino GT was made in Argentina and presented at the Autodromo (circuit) Ciudad Nueve de Julio, province of Buenos Aires in August 1968. Designed by Luis Varela and commended by J.M. Fangio who at some stage planned its production in Europe under his name, which did not materialize. Chassis by Spina Brs. from Nueve de Julio, known for agricultural machinery. Bodies by Lito Cistz. Steel, aluminium and polyester were used. Engines, at rear, were Renault. There were two series. One from 1970-71 with 850 cc and one from 1976-78 with 1100 cc engines. Producing one car took about six months. Total production around 90 units. The name Andina, derived from Andes, was the idea of Mrs. Varela, Rosita.” That is just absolutely spot on. But we do have to be strict here, and John used over 100 words. Sorry John! And so this week’s prize goes to Ignacio Labaure, who mentioned all the basic information on the Andino GT and added a small little line of interest which was new to us: “Labaure ran a Renault dealership and the car had a warranty from IKA-Renault in Argentina.” Thanks for that and congratulations Ignacio!

(Pictures courtesy retrovisiones.com)

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