IAME Rastrojero
Encyclopedia
The Rastrojero was a small diesel
utility pickup truck
with a capacity of half-ton (taxis were also developed) designed by Raúl Gómez and built by the Argentine
government-owned airplane (and vehicle) manufacturer IAME
(Industrias Aeronáutica y Mecánicas del Estado) from 1952 to 1980. It owes its name to its purpose of hauling crops (rastrojos). Over 33,000 of these trucks were manufactured.
, a few years after end of World War II
. These tractor
s had a problem in their design, and were discontinued. Finally, these tractors were converted by a group of technicians and engineers who worked on making the new truck.
The original Rastrojero pickup truck, rolled off the assembly line in 1952. From 1952 to 1954, a Willys-Overland
2,199 cm3 (134 cu in) gasoline engine from the tractors was used and starting in 1954, a 42 horsepower Borgward
D4M diesel engine of 1758 cm3 with indirect injection.
Particular attention was given to the front fender design, bearing in mind that it would be a vehicle for the outback, and for that reason the fender lines where deigned similar in shape to the ones used at the time for Turismo Carretera
road racing
, so as not to collect too much mud under the fenders.
, with a 4-speed gear box. Despite this motor change, Borgward
continued to provide transmissions.
In 1974 it minor redesign changes were made on the front and rear of to the body.
Despite several attempts by the Ministry of Aeronautics and Defense to stop their production, the Rastrojero assembly line continued. The engineers, technicians and employees of the factory, fearing production would be shut down, were guaranteed its production until 1979. During this time, the evolution of the body was nil because of these attempts to cut its production. In spite of that, there was still significant evolution of its power plant, beginning with gas engines getting 65HP, passing up the Borgward diesel with 42HP and ending with the Indenor XD2 diesel with 68HP.
Also, the factory at the time had offered different models based on the Rastrojero, highlighted among those is a truck similar to the standard front IKA, a van based on this truck, and the Rastrojero Conosur, a car based on the second generation Rastrojero that was designed exclusively to be used in taxi fleets.
Finally, by instruction from the government's National Reorganization Process
prevailing in Argentina
, the production of the Rastrojero and all derivatives was ended on 1980.
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
utility pickup truck
Pickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
with a capacity of half-ton (taxis were also developed) designed by Raúl Gómez and built by the Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
government-owned airplane (and vehicle) manufacturer IAME
Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado
Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado was a state entity and autarchic conglomerate of factories of Argentina created in 1951 to promote the manufacture of aircraft and automobiles...
(Industrias Aeronáutica y Mecánicas del Estado) from 1952 to 1980. It owes its name to its purpose of hauling crops (rastrojos). Over 33,000 of these trucks were manufactured.
First generation (1952-1969)
The Rastrojero was born as a product driven by the state company, during the epoch of stimulus to the local work force and support to domestic industry, during the presidency of General Juan Domingo Perón. For the production of this vehicle, they used parts of Empire Tractors, which had been purchased by the National Government of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, a few years after end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. These tractor
Tractor
A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction...
s had a problem in their design, and were discontinued. Finally, these tractors were converted by a group of technicians and engineers who worked on making the new truck.
The original Rastrojero pickup truck, rolled off the assembly line in 1952. From 1952 to 1954, a Willys-Overland
Willys
Willys was the brand name used by Willys-Overland Motors, an American automobile company best known for its design and production of military Jeeps and civilian versions during the 20th century.-Early History:In 1908, John Willys bought the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company...
2,199 cm3 (134 cu in) gasoline engine from the tractors was used and starting in 1954, a 42 horsepower Borgward
Borgward
Borgward was a German automobile manufacturer founded by Carl F. W. Borgward . The company was based in Bremen...
D4M diesel engine of 1758 cm3 with indirect injection.
Particular attention was given to the front fender design, bearing in mind that it would be a vehicle for the outback, and for that reason the fender lines where deigned similar in shape to the ones used at the time for Turismo Carretera
Turismo Carretera
Turismo Carretera is a popular touring car racing series in Argentina, and the oldest car racing series still active in the world....
road racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
, so as not to collect too much mud under the fenders.
Second generation (1968-1979)
Finally, in 1968 its body got a complete redesign. The new model now looked more like a car with the aspect of a thoughter vehicle. Its design featured a bodywork made entirely of steel with fully floating cab and separate cargo section for the two door models while the cab and box were built into an integrated assembly for the four doors models. However, there were also models that still had flat beds with wooden boxes and drop-sides. In addition to its aesthetics, its powertrain had been modified as well. The new model came equipped with an Indenor XD 4.88 52 HP gas oil sourced by PeugeotPeugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
, with a 4-speed gear box. Despite this motor change, Borgward
Borgward
Borgward was a German automobile manufacturer founded by Carl F. W. Borgward . The company was based in Bremen...
continued to provide transmissions.
In 1974 it minor redesign changes were made on the front and rear of to the body.
Despite several attempts by the Ministry of Aeronautics and Defense to stop their production, the Rastrojero assembly line continued. The engineers, technicians and employees of the factory, fearing production would be shut down, were guaranteed its production until 1979. During this time, the evolution of the body was nil because of these attempts to cut its production. In spite of that, there was still significant evolution of its power plant, beginning with gas engines getting 65HP, passing up the Borgward diesel with 42HP and ending with the Indenor XD2 diesel with 68HP.
Also, the factory at the time had offered different models based on the Rastrojero, highlighted among those is a truck similar to the standard front IKA, a van based on this truck, and the Rastrojero Conosur, a car based on the second generation Rastrojero that was designed exclusively to be used in taxi fleets.
Finally, by instruction from the government's National Reorganization Process
National Reorganization Process
The National Reorganization Process was the name used by its leaders for the military government that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983. In Argentina it is often known simply as la última junta militar or la última dictadura , because several of them existed throughout its history.The Argentine...
prevailing in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, the production of the Rastrojero and all derivatives was ended on 1980.
See also
- IAMEIndustrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del EstadoIndustrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado was a state entity and autarchic conglomerate of factories of Argentina created in 1951 to promote the manufacture of aircraft and automobiles...
(State Aeronautical and Mechanical Industries) - Rastrojero Conosur TaxiIAME Rastrojero ConosurThe Rastrojero Conosur was a car designed from the second generation utilitarian Rastrojero Diesel. It is a 4-door sedan especially designed for use in taxi fleets...
- Willys-Overland TruckWillys Jeep TruckThe 4-wheel drive Willys Jeep Truck, introduced in 1947 by Willys-Overland Motors, was similar to the Willys Jeep Station Wagon and the VJ-2 and VJ-3 Willys Jeepster. With model designations of 2T and 4T, these trucks were equipped with the 134 cubic inch Go-Devil flathead four-cylinder engine...