Time again to visit that automotive alternate reality that’s South America. The subject today? A bunch of 1969 Dodge Darts, looking somewhat cluttered but mightily attractive at the “Nova Texas” dealer, in Brazil. Around them, in lesser numbers a more enigmatic and less known offering; the Simca Esplanada.
The ’69 model year was the first for the Dart in Brazil, a vehicle that would leave its mark in that nation. Said Darts were locally assembled by Chrysler do Brasil, and on that first year they were solely offered as 4-door sedans. Under the hood was Chrysler’s 318 CID V8 in 2-barrel form. The engine was rated at 198 HP, with a lowered compression ratio to perform with lower octane fuel. Shifting –as usual in South America– came via a 3-speed manual, column-mounted.
The Dart may have been the first American-designed Mopar sold in Brazil, but the older Esplanada was the first to wear the Pentastar’s branding. A design of Simca do Brasil launched in November 1966, that quickly fell under Chrysler’s umbrella once Simca came under their control by the end of that year.
Despite new management, the Esplanada derived cars remained in production until ’69, when Darts took over the assembly lines. As such, these 1969 models seen at the entrance of the “Nova Texas” dealer should be among the last of the model’s line.
“Stop! Look! Enter! And Be Welcome” reads the signage. While not too noticeable in the images, the dealership carried the modernist architecture for which Brazil was becoming known.
Starting in ’67, a modest “fabricado pela Chrysler” (built by Chrysler) badge festooned the rear end of these Simca models. Power on these was provided by Simca’s EmiSul engine, a modified flathead Ford V-8 60 with locally-designed hemispherical heads looking like scaled-down Ardun heads (for the larger Ford V8). A chapter better covered before at CC, aptly called “From Ford Flathead to Hemihead.”
As usual, the Esplanada could be had in different states of trim and tune. A lower-spec model appeared in ’66, called the Regente. Then a sporty GTX version appeared in ’68, with bucket seats, a four-speed manual, and larger wheels.
As mentioned, the Dart would go on to have a long life in Brazil. Meanwhile, for the Esplanada 1969 would be its last year. Production numbers for the whole line were 17449 units, with the GTX being a low 631 in total.
With Simca long gone, Esplanada survivors are extremely rare nowadays and coveted by a few dedicated collectors.
As often happens with these South American posts, plenty of unexpected turns show up. And everyone from Simca to Chrysler to Ford Flatheads have appeared in these few lines. Even Texas does; if only doing so in name.
Related CC reading:
CC Global: The Brazilian Dodge Dart/Charger – Genuine Mopar V8 This Time Around
Automotive History: Simca Chambord, Brazil’s First V-8 – From Ford Flathead To Hemihead
I seem to remember a few of these in México in the early 90s, mostly used as tourist taxis. México had a trade agreement with Brazil, and thus also had many Brazalian straight four wáter cooled VW”s at that time. (Want one bad to this day.)
In México, the Darts, especially the black ones, actually looked stately in the sea of VW Sedans (Bettle), Polos and other micro cars by the handful of European car manufacturers such as Renault. Often the owners indulged in a nice paint job, a set of Craigers, and dark tint. Just as Brazil, they are now coveted. But most were.driven into dust, or simply discarded and replaced by Tsurus.
Very neat!
The dealership building (which is in Rio de Janeiro) survives today – it’s used today as a Honda (scooter/motorcycle) and Volkswagen dealer. The service bay is still standing too, though the modernist semi-circular facade has been largely covered over.
Here’s a then-and-now comparison below.
Google StreetView link here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JyzrJ28qrXc4hcxy9
Interesting! I’ve never seen the Esplanada before. It seems to have inherited some of the Vedette’s DNA.
The Simca front end sure looks like a late 60s AMC Ambassador.
Time For a Simca / AMC / VAM comparision.
83 LeBaron, you beat me to it!
I used to live near an avid Simca collector his range of the V8 stopped at the fintail model after that we got the four cylinder stuff lots of it, Chrysler let Rootes see how Simca got five main bearings fit in a 3 main block and the 1725 Ive got was designed, Isuzu got them via their Hillman connection and used it for years, Paykans were still being made this century, which was a Chrysler era design, Chrysler lost its way when the Japanese showed up in force, they sold up and then retreated back to the US and sold Japanese cars,
Pretty neat ! I was un aware of this SIMCA .
-Nate
That burial behind the woman and the GTX looks very similar to the murial at Tampa International Airport Airside C Terminal at the TSA queue. Like so similar it has to be related.
Excellent pictures and read. The Simca/Chrysler Esplanada was based on the French Ford/Simca Vedette.