Santa Matilde (automobile)
| Santa Matilde | |
|---|---|
 Santa Matilde Coupe 4.1 (1986)
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| Mk I-Mk V | |
| Production period: | 1977-1997 |
| Class : | Sports car |
| Body versions : | Coupé , convertible |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 2.5-4.1 liters (93-154 kW) |
| Length: | 4180 mm |
| Width: | 1710 mm |
| Height: | 1320 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2370 mm |
| Empty weight : | 1280-1350 kg |
The Brazilian agricultural machinery manufacturer Industrial Santa Matilde, founded in 1916 with headquarters in Petrópolis ( RJ ) and production facilities in Três Rios (RJ) and Conselheiro Lafaiete ( MG ) from 1978 to 1988 , offered under the name Santa Matilde (often abbreviated as Sta Matilde ) or SM4.1 a sports car.
The company also engaged in the construction of wagons, other railway equipment and tractors. The company was largely closed in 1988 and automobiles were only produced in very small numbers. The last vehicle was produced in 1997 before the company was dissolved.
history
The Sta Matilde was first shown at the Brazilian Motor Show in 1976. As with the Volkswagen- based Puma , its appearance was a consequence of the high import tariffs imposed on foreign sports cars by the Brazilian government in 1975.
Unlike Puma, Sta Matilde used contemporary technology from Chevrolet Brazil, in particular engines, transmissions and other components, such as the rigid rear axle from the Chevrolet Opala .
The Sta Matilde had longitudinally mounted Chevrolet engines at the front, until 1980 only a 4.1-liter in-line six -cylinder engine with 171 gross hp (net 127 hp), from 1980 optionally a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (210 hp), the the same engine as a suction variant for alcohol operation or the in-line six-cylinder, which is also up to 210 hp The six-cylinder could also be combined with an automatic transmission.
The coupé body, which weighs just 66 kilograms, has a hatchback and a large tailgate made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester and is designed for 2 + 2 seats. The design comes from Ana Lídia Pimentel Duarte, the daughter of the Sta Matilde director. Features include electric windows, cassette radio, automatic seat belts, leather seats and air conditioning. From a technical point of view, the disc brakes mounted all around were remarkable for the time.
From 1981 larger 15-inch rims were installed on wide tires of size 215/60.
In 1983 the technically and optically revised version Mk 2 appeared. At the same time, the factory added a convertible version to its range.
In 1986 the Mk 3 replaced the Mk 2. The hallmarks of the new variant were a modified front apron, new rims and, on the coupé, a modified roof line; the Sta Matilde was now a notchback coupe. The Mk 3 Coupé was only built until 1987, the Cabriolet until 1990.
In 1987 the Mk 3 Coupé was replaced by the Mk IV with broadband instead of double headlights. The former come from the VW Santana . The Mk 4 was produced in small series until 1990, after which it was only made to order until 1995.
In 1997 the factory launched a heavily redesigned Mk 5. In addition to a new front, a rear with a spoiler lip and a digital dashboard, the Mk 5 had the differential gear and the rear axle of the Chevrolet Omega A.
A total of 937 examples were made by Sta Matilde, of which 490 were hatchbacks, 371 were notchbacks and 76 were convertibles.