• Ford Corcel

The Ford Corcel was a car manufactured in Brazil by Ford Motor of Brazil, in partnership with Renault from 1968 to 1986. This car was just a derivative of the French model Renault 12. Originally going to be manufactured by Willys Overland do Brasil, as Renault 12; however, half of the Willys Overland negotiations broke down and transferred all its assets to the Ford Motor Company, which continued with the negotiations for the production of the new vehicle. Not However, despite its mechanics remained unchanged, one of the requirements imposed for production Ford was redesigning your body.

He had a second generation, lasting from 1977 until 1986, when it was replaced by the Ford Escort.

In 1966, was presented at the Motor Show in France the new Renault 12, a vehicle that the brand would be positioned in the segment of medium-sized cars, replacing the Renault 8. With this model, Renault had he thought enter definitely on markets where he was known for inexpensive models. South America was just one of those markets where Renault was known through their products and R4 Dauphine.

In Argentina and Colombia, negotiations were successful, so the following year the vehicle began to be manufactured by their respective representatives.

In Brazil, La Rꨩe Nationale des Usines Renault launched the negotiations for production Willys Overland do Brasil, official representative of Renault in that country, which was already manufacturing the Renault Dauphine. However, half of negotiations, the company went bankrupt and control was assumed by the Ford Motor Company started that way its position in the Brazilian market.

Ford was not a brand with a large market in the country, as it only offered the Ford Galaxie 500, a very large and expensive car, and supplementing its range with Line F trucks and vans. It was so in this car was a brilliant opportunity to ofecer the public a popular and inexpensive car. Thus, the Ford Motor do Brasil, decided to continue negotiations with Renault to manufacture this car. Negotiations finally came to fruition, with the balance the production of a new vehicle that retained the original mechanics of the Renault 12, but suffered a sharp change in the design of your body. Thus was born the new Ford Corcel, named somewhat emulating the successful car brand in USA: Ford Mustang. Its commercial presentation in Brazil, showed a Ford Mustang running alongside a Mercury Cougar, and Ford Corcel that exceeded smoothly. After that appeared a legend deci “The Brazilian Cavalo” (El Caballo Brazilian).

In 1966, made his debut at the Salon in France the new Renault 12. Intended Brand proceeding with this car to markets where it was only known for its low-cost and low-power cars. So in Brazil began production of the talks this car with Willys Overland do Brasil. However, halfway broke the Willys and control was assumed by the Ford Motor do Brasil. Despite all this, the talks continued Ford Willys with Renault, as you saw in this car an excellent opportunity to offer your audience a cheap and popular car. The result of these negotiations was the Ford Corcel, which was finally released in December 1968 in the VI Motor Show in San Pablo. This car, although it was originally presented with a 4-door sedan body, did not retain the original line “arrow style” that had proposed the Renault R12, but instead opted for a design that respected the aerodynamic front French car from the tube to the middle stud, but from this stud to the trunk, we chose a rather linear design, according to the preference of the Brazilian market. The trunk also suffered a minor restyling, ignoring the sharp pointy figure of R12, and taking a more smoothed design with a small upward slope from the grill to the hood and a small tapered section at the top of the grill.

In 1969, he was presented the coupe version of the Corcel, which was a success in sales. In fact, in addition to being an innovation was because the R12 was only offered in sedan versions and rural 4-door. With this vehicle, Ford was not only out of the mold parco R12, but also offered its customers a car with sporty style. The design of this car, the essence of Steed configured with the style of the distinctly American sports. Your new figure retained the original lines of Steed from his trunk to his half stud that had been relocated further back to give two larger doors. And from this stud to his trunk, the new aesthetics of Steed had a redesign in the fall of your roof, similar to American sports of the time. On its side, the height of the rear windows, stood a curved line down to the bottom of his trunk, similar to the belt line of Dodge Challenger leaving aside the rectilinear style saloon.

In terms of mechanics, mechanics kept the original R12, sharing the chassis, the engine, a 1.3 liter 4 cylinder 5hp and 68 benches, and four-speed manual gearbox. Yet another legacy of the R12 detail, were his tires out 13 with only three bolts holding. His suspension was a real “joke”: As the coil spring was located on the upper arm that rested on top of the wheel box, many believed that it was a Mc Pherson suspension. In fact, it was a smooth and robust while suspended.

Opening your hood, like the Renault 12, was done backwards, revealing security concerns. While against accidental Unjamming, hood tend to stay closed for air bursts circulating about the moving car, the problem was that to support the work of the engine had to be located on the sides of the vehicle.

These maintenance came quickly, but on the front axle. The problems in the alignment of the steering system, caused premature wear of the tires, which were still diagonal construction. In fact, CV joints also gave some work to the car owners. It was found that the misalignment of the address was, related to the regulation of the front wheels, because of its complicated convergence. It happened then first called back in the country from which I have news: Ford, drew more than 65,000 owners to make free Steed correcting this problem. The correction is summarized in adopting an average height for steering box and fix definitely there.

After this stake by Ford, the Steed began to be offered for sale with built reform, but nevertheless continued his devastating pace of sales. So much so, that the coupe version launched in 1969 began to rage among youth. It was why he was released in 1970 Ford Corcel GT version, a special design with a sporty touch. This car had the outside decorated with side stripes running the sides of the car from end to tip.

Also, in 1970, was presented the Ford Corcel Belina, the wagon version of Steed. Although this car fully respected the original design of the Renault 12 rural, was marketed only in three-door version. No less than their brothers, the Belina also had a good reception, passing every car to occupy a place in society. Thus, the Charger became the dream car of taxi drivers (4 door sedan), the favorite of young car (coupe) and family car par excellence (rural).

In 1973, the Charger received a redesign in its front and rear, runs passing headlights jutting out of the line of the tube, leaving a soft fall in between them. That year, he went on to take the original Ford logo within a circle, in the middle of the grill. In 1975, the logo disappeared, moving to take a new currency, which could be seen trotting a horse, which was placed on the tip of the hood. Also, in Part were modified rear lights, passing and carrying large rectangular headlights. Despite all these improvements, the design began to show Steed aged, so it was necessary amendment. This finally occurred in 1977, with the appearance of the new Ford Corcel II.

In 1977, he was presented the draft of what would become the new Ford Corcel. Finally, this model would see the light in 1978 being presented as Ford Corcel II. While maintaining the original mechanical model of the Corcel I, his aesthetic was totally different. The new Steed presented a design that combined straight lines with a fastback roof fall in a straight line. This design was far from being related to the original design of Renault 12, becoming more according to European Ford models like the Taunus and Cortina MkIII. The new Steed, Steed was far from that which was presented in 1968. Moreover, this generation was suppressed 4-door sedan version, going to be sold only in coupe version. However, despite that fans preferred brand were only in coupe, new doors Steed, proved too heavy to be carried by one person. And another detail these doors, was that being so large ashtrays for rear seats were located in them, when they once did under the handles levantavidrios.

In 1979, came the most important reforms Steed, from the engine to gain 1.6 liter engine and equipped with a gearbox 5-speed. However, the 1.4-liter version was still produced for those who wished a more economical vehicle. Also in that year he was presented the Ford Corcel Belina II, the station wagon version of the same engine that equipped. Although, the 1.4 engine was intended for an audience that wanted a model more economical, their performance was very modest and inappropriate for a listed sports car. Its maximum speed reached 135km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100km/h, the performed in 23 seconds. With the 1.6 liter engine, the Charger came rolling up to 145km/h and accelerated to 100km/h in 17 seconds.

In 1980, following the evolution of ethanol in Brazil, the new version appeared motor driven alcohol. Its reception was such that it was rated the best alcohol-fueled vehicle in the country. It worked fast, not slow to warm up, had little vibration and kept covered for long. A small logo on the front arrester with the registration Alcohol and four drops on blue gradient, indicating the fuel used. His overall performance was so good with respect to the gasoline model, which had faster acceleration. Having been the last model to present this version of Steed, contributed to their success and subsequent reputation.

The cottage had two engines, but in 1980 went to offer only the 1.6-liter engines, far more according to your weight, especially on trips with the family and the trunk full. His only opponent’s weight at the time was the Chevrolet Caravan, however was of larger size. The Variant II with which Volkswagen was intended to overshadow, not cover such expectations. As a curiosity, it is worth noting that Venezuela was adapted front grille model of King and was sold as the wagon version of the latter.

In March 1980, it was released on Hobby Corcel II, a new online option more diversified. Had a basic ending, but young and sportsmanship (eg eliminating the chrome bumpers and frames). He brought some accessories and GT was a cheaper option than this.

In 1981 came a model of success in the Steed family: the Ford Del Rey. This car Ford tried to reposition the brand in the segment of luxury cars. It was an older car the Corcel dimensions, but with the same mechanics. In 1982, Steed family grew larger with the arrival of the Pampa pickup, a light commercial vehicle of great success in the Brazilian market. Anecdotally, the name chosen for this model is because like the Steed, Pampa is also a name of a race horse.

In 1983 came the Ford Escort production, future successor Steed. This model, he began to develop the new engine evolved Steed: The Ford CHT. By 1986, with the arrival of the merger between Ford and Volkswagen, which led to Autolatina, the Ford Corcel, the King and Pampa, became the new AP-motorized engines sourced 1800 Audi that equipped vehicles Volkswagen. Finally, this was the last year of production Steed, being replaced by Ford Escort, and the king continued production until 1991, when it was replaced by a derivative of the Volkswagen Santana car and the result of collaboration between the two firms: The Ford Versailles.

In 1981, before the cessation of production of the Ford Landau, Ford tried to regain market that is specialized: The luxury cars. To do this, introduced in that year a luxury model based on the Charger. It was the new Ford Del Rey, a luxury sedan body with optional 2 or 4 doors (something not offered the Corcel II) and higher than the Steed dimensions, but with the same 1.6-liter mechanical box 5 speed. I had two versions of equipment: Prata king, which was the basic version of the model and the king Ouro, the most luxurious. Inside, their seats were very comfortable and was instrumental panel of the most complete in the country, having oil pressure gauge and voltmeter, all developments in the Brazilian industry. His blue carpeting was in questionable taste, but served as an attempt to leave the conventional.

However, the king was a milestone in the era for their comfort items: air conditioning, central locking, electric windows and sunroof. But as expected, it was not designed as a sports car: Accelerated and high performance were not his style. It was more of a smooth ride and quiet travel. Its interior space was good but did not reach the point satisfy old luxury car buyers.

From the factory, had admitted that the lack of 5 inches in his battle with respect to Steed, the king had lost a spacious market devoid of cars. Later, was launched two-door coupe version. These doors were the same heavy doors of the Corcel II. In 1983, he was presented the Ford Corcel Ouro, fed ethanol, further optional bringing new, modern electronically controlled automatic transmission. A real novelty in the Brazil. At the start of this year, was launched a rural new, it was actually the same country with another finishing option: The Ford Del Rey Scala, derived from the Belina II. Unlike the king, brought no difference in body design, even the desired 5-door version. The differences are summarized in details like taillights Belina double size, with some of them mounted in the trunk. Your finished was outstanding, luxurious and finest materials. It was the most luxurious country cottage. Front brakes with ventilated disks, also worked better.

For 1984 the range was going to have the engine CHT, then entered the new Ford Escort. The CHT (stands for “Camera of High Turbulence” camera high turbulence created for efficient combustion) engine was a derivative Steed Original but refurbished in the combustion chambers for better performance and lower consumption. The customer could choose between a 1.35-liter engine (50cc less compared to the first model) cheaper, or 1.6 liters potent.

In 1986, the company Autolatina between Ford and Volkswagen for Mercosur was born. Production of the Corcel-Del Rey-Pampa, line kept up production of the new Escort, Steed successor. Although the Charger ceased to be manufactured on July 21, 1986, the Ford pickup king and remained Pampa manufactured. This line received the following year a new basic version called Ford Del Rey L, while the old Belina going to be part of the line The king instead of Scala. Also in that year, made his debut the luxurious king Ghî¡ Ford. Also, in those years, made his debut the new Volkswagen Santana, a vehicle derived from the second generation of the Volkswagen Passat, and it came to replace the first generation of this. The Santana going to share the segment with the Ford Del Rey.

In the second half of 1989, began to attract Autolatina their best products to the market. While the Volkswagen Gol equipped him with economic CHT engine, renamed AE-1600, the Ford Escort began to equip, Del Rey, Belina and Pampa with modern and powerful engine-1800 AP source Audi, Volkswagen marketed that of 1.8-liter overhead valve, the same as fitted to all front-drive models of VW. With this new engine, the king earned more in acceleration and top speed, two requirements throughout their lives in the line of missing Steed. This did not mean that the old Renault engine shall have been bad. If it was good robust, economical and easy maintenance, it was not appropriate for the weight of the car and was a little aged.

His gait was still comfortable, silent and remained a well-equipped car. However, despite these qualities and new mechanical served by VW, the model was already outdated. So in 1991 the king was replaced by the Ford Versailles, a vehicle derived from the Volkswagen Santana, but with the luxurious style of Ford.

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