Argentina 1960: Chevrolet Apache and Ford F-100 dominate local production

1960 Ford F-100. Picture autoblog.com.ar

In 1959, the Argentinean government President Arturo Frondizi decided to make local automotive production a reality and a frenzy of both international and local manufacturers entered the market, with no less than 89.338 vehicle produced in 1960 alone. This is to be compared with a total car park of 865.536 units that year. In fact, 1960 was nicknamed the Argentine Motor Year by local magazine Velocidad. Unfortunately, this effervescence of brands resulted in an oversupply that the Argentine market was not able to absorb most companies ceased activity within a couple of years, leaving the domination of national production in the hands of foreign manufacturers.

1960 Chevrolet Apache C-141961 Dodge D-100. Picture autoblog.com.ar

Present in the country though imports since the early 20th century, American brands dominate the first year of local Argentine production, placing the Chevrolet Apache C-14 Pickup and the Ford F-100 atop the production charts and amounting to no less than 18% of all vehicles produced that year. The Ford F-600 comes in at #4, the Dodge D-100 at #7 and the Bedford J6 Truck at #10.

SIAM Di Tella 1500. Picture autoblog.com.ar Fiat 1100. Picture autoblog.com.ar

The mysterious SIAM Di Tella 1500 is the most produced passenger car in Argentina in 1960 with over 4.000 units. It is in fact a BMC Riley 4/68 produced under licence by the Argentine manufacturer SIAM. The Renault Dauphine is the 2nd most popular passenger car in 1960, on its way to becoming the country’s best-seller in 1962. Below are the IKA-Kaiser Brig, an Alfa Romeo 1900 produced under licence, the De Carlo 700, in fact a BMW 700 Glamor, and the Fiat 1100. Notice also the 

More details about 1960 models with photos here.

Full Year 1960 Top 25 models by production below.