alfa arna Automotive Histories crossroad discovery holden honda Isuzu kallista Land Rover Latest Mazda Panther Premier roadpacer romeo ssangyong Statesman

Twilight Rebadges World: Part 2


(posted first 3/4/2014) Automotive business typically creates unusual bedfellows. When the automotive business doesn’t have the information or experience to build a automotive in a beforehand unexplored phase, they typically should knock doorways that they have by no means seen earlier than. Within the American market alone, we’ve got seen the Ford pair with Nissan for Mercury Villager. GM and Subaru produce Saab 9-2X; and Honda and Isuzu share Odysseys, Rodeos and Troopers. However these examples are virtually boring compared to what we’ve here as we speak, within the second part of Obscure Rebadges from the World!

Mazda Roadpacer AP


It's all the time somewhat jarring to see a plebeian family sedan being repurposed as a luxury flagship by another automaker, such because the rebodied Dodge Aspen referred to as Monteverdi Sierra. Here we’ve got Holden Belmont / Premier / Kingswood, which was hit by the Mazda manufacturers, so Mazda might compete with Toyota Century, Nissan President and Mitsubishi Debonair. Solely Mazda did not easily take out and set his mark anyplace. They had to make their characters stronger despite the fact that they couldn't inform from outdoors.


The 1975 Mazda Roadpacer AP (brief anti-pollution agent) was the only GM car ever positioned available on the market with a rotating engine (sorry, Chevy Monza wasn't presupposed to be). Mazdan USP was a rotating engine on the time, which they placed on all automobiles from pickups to buses, they usually felt that their flagship sedan also needs to get into this high-spin, low-shift operation. Thus, the HJ collection Holden Premiers – probably the most upscale Cycle Holdens – was sent to boats to Japan with out their Three.3 six commonplace. This profound engine housing was [barely] crammed with a rotating motor of 1,3-rotor 13B. Premier's added specialty was the dictation system, the voice controls for the rear seat passengers and the speed-activated central locking and the mudguard mirrors.

  Holden HJ Premier

Holden HJ Premier

Roadpacer was considerably larger than the earlier model flagship Cosmo, but used the same engine. 130 horsepower was a strong output from a small transmission engine in 1975 and competed with Holden's unique 3,Three six outputs. The distinction is that you simply had to return to 6000 rpm to get the horsepower, and the torque was 135 ft-lbs 4000 rpm (this corresponded to three.Three six 194 ft-lbs at a pleasantly low 2,000 rpm). This high-voltage engine also had to handle about Three,472 lb of Australian metallic. You possibly can see the place this occurs. Mazda put a rev-hungry, small engine in a big automotive designed for enforcement and public transport. Though the 13B rotating motor would have an honest low torque that it didn't do, the character of the engine would definitely not match in the automotive. For driver-driven transport, a clean, quiet and cozy low torque is desired. Holden bones might give you a reasonably clean experience, however the energy practice sabotages the driving life by forcing the poor driver to turn as hell to move that carriage. Did I point out that the one broadcast was a three-phase automated? The top end result was a automotive that would hardly pull a double digit MPG. The unique six have been better fuel meter numbers, and I'm positive that Holden additionally obtainable Premiers V8 would have achieved better gasoline financial system.


This completely uneconomical and uncomfortable drive of the sedan was launched immediately after the first gasoline disaster and thus bought solely 800 models between 1975 and 1977. A useful energy practice, the Holden Bones have been qualified and had a fairly clean journey and a fairly spacious interior. Nevertheless, HJ Holden was not conscious that its dealing with and interior, though properly outfitted, didn't look as nice because the competitor Century, President and Debonair. Most landowners and finally crushed authorities, so the remaining automobiles are somewhat obscure collectors and typically find yourself on the Web

Isuzu Statesman de Ville

 1973 Isuzu Statesman Deville GMH - Japanese - 12 Pages - 04-05

A few of you’ll have questioned why Mazda chose Everyman Holden's Belmont / Kingswood / Premier base for its luxurious flagship. In any case, the brief axes weren’t probably the most prestigious Holdens at the moment, and have been definitely less spectacular than the long-wheeled Stateman collection introduced in 1971. Until the dying of the WB collection in 1985, Stateman was a sub-brand bought by Basic Motors Holden. They have been bought to Holden dealers however bought as Common Motors' statesman. In contrast to Cadillac's Cimarro, Holden used this advertising tactic to emphasise the exclusivity of the costliest sedan. The Stateman collection ran a Three-inch lengthy wheelbase, utilized by Holden wagons, a total of 114 inches. The open HQ Stateman collection was Custom or upscale de Ville. Sure, in addition to Chevrolet and Cadillac design info, Holden was fairly vulnerable to American market names similar to Calais, Caprice, Brougham, Apollo, Sunbird and Nova. The engines ran from a low of 3.Three (202 cubic meters) six, four.1 (253 cu in), (308 cu in) and a small block at a distance of 5.7. These giant Holdens have been delivered to South Africa by Chevrolet Constantia and de Ville, but in addition to Japan to fill the gap on the prime of the Isuzu lineup: the flagship sedan competing with Toyota Century.

  1973 Isuzu Statesman Deville GMH - Japan - 12 pages - 02-03

Isuzu Statesman de Ville was bought in 1973-74 with a complete of only 246 models. The sedan, which this massive and costly, was by no means expected to carry many models in Japan, and was doubtless as a consequence of Isuzu leaders (or fairly their drivers). All have been supplied with automated and V8, in addition to inside decor and the required fenders mirrors. There’s not much info particularly about Isuzu Stateman, apart from this wonderful banknotes and scans, however the automotive was changed a bit from the Australian market model and even stored the lions of Holde.

 1973 Isuzu State Man Deville GMH - Japan - 12 pages - 08-09

The HQ Collection Holdens was very profitable, which was lucky as a result of they have been probably the most formidable Holden for a while and the primary soil re-design. Holden because the 1940s. That they had new trunks and a brand new perimeter body with a coil. The HQ statesman was a trendy flagship sedan – even its back lights by skilfully tilting the smaller trailers and trolleys – and tuned into cushion-soft driving, because of the then CEO George Roberts' demand for driving a Holden like Cadillacs. Holden's 1977 HZ replace (confusingly, HJ and HX launched in mid-way) brought Radial Tuned Suspension, as Holden referred to as it, which significantly improved their handling. Isuzu Statesman de Ville was softly sprung or not, nevertheless it was a really brief and unclear footnote each in Holden and in Isuzu's history and disappeared as quickly because it got here, without compensation.

Honda Crossroad

Bonding of Honda and Rover began with a Japanese firm that promised Honda Ballad to draw British Leyland in the late 1970s. Rover saw a worth on this deal, and their subsequent undertaking was a jointly developed Acura / Honda Legend and Rover 800 / Sterling. Ultimately, Rover's meeting consisted virtually completely of automobiles from Honda with 200/400 (Civic / Concerto) and 600 (Accord). If it seems like Honda didn't get a lot in return, you’d be close to the character, however in all probability overlook concerning the Honda junction. This Discovery clone was bought in 1993-1998 in Japan and got here with only one engine: the one eight-cylinder engine ever out there in Honda, 3.9 V8, 180 horsepower. It crammed the gap in Honda, which was a much less dependable competitor to Toyota Landcruiser and Nissan Patrol, and was one other instance of Honda's continued aversion to the event of its personal vans (see Acura SLX, Honda Passport).


Unfortunately, I was unable to trace any gross sales figures, however it will seem that Crossroad was not very profitable. The two theories are as follows: one, the Japanese favor the pieces of both British identify cards – for example, the success of the MG RV8 there and two that extra unique automobiles are in LHD. Regardless of the weird development, as Japan is on the proper, it has loved lasting reputation, particularly with Yakuza members. For all common Japanese shoppers, they knew that Crossroad had no English heritage, and it was just a thirsty Honda with reliable reliability and a steering wheel on the best. Lots of Crossroads ended up in New Zealand, where there is a pretty big import regulation. The nameplate ended up being recycled in the magnificent field described above, apparently too unclear that it deserved a very dangerous rap.

Alfa Romeo Arna

  Alfa Romeo ARNA (2)

In case you have been to buy two producers to construct a automotive together, who would you select? Perhaps one company is understood for the reliability and quality of its automobiles, akin to a Japanese automotive like Honda. One other firm must be one which makes enjoyable automobiles that eat type and beauty. Perhaps an English model like Jaguar, or an Italian model like Maserati. Nevertheless, in case you are a manufacturer of high quality and reliability recognized for type and pleasure, it is best to find yourself with a reasonably good automotive!

  Alfa Romeo ARNA (1) [19659008] This is Alfa Romeo Arna. This small hatchback combines Nissan's style-leading excellence with their unparalleled genius, Alfa Romeo's excellent high quality management and reliability. Properly, something like that. Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicol's Arna was launched in 1983. Now, as this was a joint venture and not a easy license, there was truly some Alfa Romeo DNA in this nameless hatchback. Nevertheless, it can be thought-about to be born once more as Arna was also bought intimately with Nissan Cherry Europe or Japan's Nissan Cherry Milan. So, truthful recreation!

  Cherry Europe

Nissan Cherry Europe. Photograph courtesy:

Flashback 1983. The state-owned Alfa Romeo hadn't gotten a revenue in 5 years. European automotive makers have been more and more nervous about Japanese automotive manufacturers gaining floor on the continent and eating lunch, so many European governments had taken protectionism to deliver imports to the bay. With the approval of the government, Alfa Romeo and Nissan collectively built a manufacturing unit in Pratola Serra and every owned a 50% stake. This plant builds 60,000 Arna yearly and virtually equivalent to Nissan Cherry Europe, and Alfa Romeo learns some Japanese manufacturing strategies, as Common Motors will do in a number of years with its NUMMI hardware. In flip, Nissan would achieve extra foothold within the European market. Underneath the strict circumstances of the agreement, Japanese staff would offer 20% of the bulk of the physique and interior, and Alfa Romeo would supply a big number of elements, including using Alfa Romeo engines. Regardless of these specific phrases, this joint venture deepened Fiat and the European Financial Group, fearing Nissan someway using loopholes that might deliver the market to its own automobiles.

  800px-Alfa_Arna Despite the fact that the EEC and European automotive producers made sense to worry Japanese competitors, they misjudged Arna. Look, Arna was not as terrible as all the bitter British writers who had deceived the worst automobiles claimed it was. It is rather straightforward to only criticize all the things in case you don't have all the information (which these books not often do!). The very fact is that Arna had Alpha DNA. A easy Jane-modern frame, the one main Nissan element was the unbiased rear suspension. On the entrance, Arna was an Alfasud engine, a 5-speed guide transmission and a front suspension. This engine was 1.2, 63 hp flat four, which might later be a part of a tweaked version of a handful of extra horsepower, after which ultimately a sporty 1.5, 94hp flat four Ti version. It worked quite professionally and the engines have been nice regardless that the general driving expertise was diluted by Alfasud. In fact, much of the collective aid of European automotive manufacturers, it had two deadly flaws.

  Ooh, I take my mine to Olive Drab, thank you!

Ooh, I'll take the mine to Olive Drab.


From this perspective, here is a picture of the Alpha-designed and upscale 33, which Arna has minimize under.


And with two, it nonetheless had the identical indifferent quality of development and horrifying electrical units that Alfa Romeos was recognized for. By 1987, Alfa Romeo had only moved 53,047 models, far under expectations, although Nissan's Cherry Europe siblings would have been a sales success (unlikely). The top outcome was Alfa Romeo, which was bought in 1986 and introduced together by Fiat. One of the first selections of the new proprietor was to get Arna and finish the Nissan alliance. Although Arna had a lot better rust protection than Alfasud's predecessor, there's not much. United Kingdom web site What number of left (did not you need the American model?) There was only one non-running Arna listed in the United Kingdom in 2013. Perhaps there are still some Arnas in southern Italy when Japanese used half of the manufacturing unit in Pratola Serra [19659013]

And I virtually forgot.

Ssangyong Kalli

Ssangyong is a South Korean firm greatest recognized for its daring (and typically bizarre) SUVs, typically using Mercedes machines. There's a wierd Rodius…


A hanging Actyon…

  800px-Ssangyong_Actyon_ (2)

The primary common Ssangyong, lengthy operating Musso…


Then Ssangyong Tilt.


Wait, what? One yr before Musso was launched, Ssangyong acquired the neoclassical Kalli roadster license from Panther, a British boutique automaker. Panther experienced a money movement crisis once they tried to deliver their trendy, medium-sized Solo sports activities automotive to the market. They needed to tighten Kall, and Ssangyong was pleased to take their first steps into the automotive business and decide them up. The Korean company produced only 73 models in 1992, and it is extremely troublesome to learn how to sell or market them.

The actual question about this automotive is probably: what the hell is there? Ford Capri is usually mechanical, because the engines provided by Ford vary from 1.6 to 2.8 and 2.9 to Cologne V6. This retro, aluminum-body roadster hit the American market in small volumes in the mid-1980s, and was utilized by 2.Three Lima to finish 4 duties at the bottom of Mustang. Surprisingly, Kalli was fairly common within the UK for a boutique automotive manufacturer who provided automobiles that made coaches. Maintenance and working costs of Ford mechanical machines have undoubtedly contributed to its relative success. Nevertheless, the US Kallas was a catastrophe: would you pay $ 23okay in 1986 for 88 hp from two seats?

Would you will have heard of any of those twilight Rebadges before at the moment? Arna and Roadpacer take pleasure in plenty of unhappiness at present, however I’ve to admit I didn't know any of Crossroad, Isuzu Stateman, and Kalli until lately. Higher but, has anybody of you seen any of those metals?