Wednesday, September 6, 2023

1958 Puma, Chile


It seems this was only one of 3 made.

An article in Ercilla magazine of 1960--

In three more months the first automobile manufactured in Chile and on the South Pacific coast will run on the roads of this side of the continent, thanks to the common market. It is the “Puma” type Panhard with 85% Chilean elements and the rest French.

The characteristics of this car, whose first models are assembled at the L. Montanari Metallurgical Industry, on San Joaquín Street, are the following: 50 horsepower, 2-cylinder Panhard engine, speed up to 155 km/h and consumption 16 kilometers per liter. Tourism type for 5 passengers. Front-wheel drive. Air cooling with turbine (without radiator). Its value: 4 and a half million pesos.

The "Puma" with a French engine and European ancestors will be able to display its clear Chilean pigment. Indeed: the chassis is made of Huachipato steel. The plastic body, by COYA. The windows by Cristavid, from Calle Domingo Arteaga 291. The tires, INSA. Other rubber and rubber from Manufacturas de Caucho (Calle los 3 Antonios 2500). Metropolitan Batteries of Arica. Upholstery: Schlesinger, from July 10, 357. Plastics, Implatex. Chrome by Emilio Mora (Lira 1964) and accessories by Rondelli at Av. Matta 542. Assembly at Metalúrgica Luis Montanari, at San Joaquín 560.

The three Panhard Puma models will soon be on display in the center of Santiago, and José Lhorente, its manufacturer, will only demand security from the Government and parliamentarians for this new industry that will be able to assemble up to 6 cars per day.

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