The Rastrojero Conosur is a passenger car that was based on the utilitarian, second-generation Rastrojero Diesel pickup truck. It is a four-door sedan specifically designed for use in taxi fleets. The vehicle was manufactured by the Argentine state enterprise IAME (Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado) from 1974 until 1979.
Overview
The Rastrojero Conosur was aesthetically similar to a Rastrojero Diesel double-cab pickup, but instead of a cargo box, the vehicle featured a trunk with a small slope, departing from the straight lines of the original pickup's cargo bed. The bodywork conversion was carried out by the carrozzeria Bernametal, based in Quilmes, Buenos Aires province. The vehicle was designed by Jose Lampon Santiago.
Powertrain
Mechanically, the Rastrojero Conosur was identical to the pickup version. It was powered by a 1,946 cc (118.8 cu in) Indenor XD 4.88 four-cylinder diesel engine, delivering an output of approximately 60 hp (45 kW; 61 PS) according to some sources, or 68 hp (51 kW) according to others. The engine used an indirect injection system (Bosch EP/VA) and was coupled to a four-speed Borgward gearbox. The layout was front engine, rear-wheel drive.
Dimensions and Weight
- Wheelbase: 2,680 mm (105.5 in)
- Length: 4,390 mm (172.8 in)
- Width: 1,730 mm (68.1 in)
- Height: 1,630 mm (64.2 in)
- Curb weight: 1,150 kg (2,535 lb)
Production and Legacy
Production of the Rastrojero Conosur, along with all Rastrojero vehicles, ended on May 22, 1979, when the military government of the National Reorganization Process liquidated IAME/IME. The Conosur was produced in limited numbers—fewer than 1,000 units according to some sources—and was primarily destined for taxi use. Some surviving examples have been restored as private vehicles rather than taxis.
