Fangio’s 1970 IKA Torino 380S. Photos courtesy of Silverstone Auctions.
First his work car, now his drive-to-work car. With Juan Manuel Fangio’s 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 racer selling for a record price of $29.65 million earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before more Fangio-related cars came up for sale, and now the 1970 IKA Torino 380S that once belonged to the Argentinian great will cross the block next month.
Often called the “national car of Argentina,” the Industrias Kaiser Argentina Torino 380S was loosely based on the U.S.-built Rambler American and Rambler Classic, with the American supplying the trunk and engine compartment and the Classic providing the rest of the body structure. Italian design firm Pininfarina reshaped the front and rear sheetmetal to give the IKA Torino a more “European” attitude. Then the design firm turned its attention to the car’s interior, further distinguishing it from its American cousin. The net result was a car that seemed to be influenced by Rambler, but with its own unique sense of style; production began in 1966 and lasted under IKA until 1977, then under Renault until 1982.
Power for the Torino 380 models came from a Jeep-derived 3.8-liter overhead-camshaft inline six-cylinder engine that was also produced in Argentina. In 380S trim, the Jeep Tornado engine made 143 horsepower, enough for a reported top speed of 106 MPH. Those looking for more performance could opt for the 380W model (with triple Weber carburetors), which reportedly made more than 200 horsepower and produced a top speed of nearly 130 MPH.
Though the IKA Torino was campaigned in motorsport events from its launch, the car’s greatest success took place at the 1969 running of an 84-hour endurance race at Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife. Drivers Eduardo Copello, Alberto Rodriguez Larreta and Oscar Mauricio Franco campaigned one of three factory-backed team cars to what should have been a decisive victory, as the car covered more laps than any other in the field. Assessed penalties relegated the team to a fourth position overall (still delivering a class win), but the result was a great source of pride for both IKA and Argentina.
IKA presented Fangio with a 380S in 1970, though the exact reason why isn’t clear. Some say it was for his help in developing the Torino (unlikely, since the car had been on the market for four years by then), while others insist it was for his invaluable role as team manager during the Nürburgring race. As one of the team’s drivers was quick to point out, “with Fangio in our corner, doors just opened.”
Proud of his Argentinian heritage (and, therefore, of the IKA Torino), Fangio kept the car even after being appointed president of Mercedes-Benz Argentina, a fact reflected by registration and insurance documents included in the sale, though he stopped driving it at about that time too. As Silverstone’s auction description recounts, the car has “succumbed to some of the vagaries of time,” a rather eloquent way of saying it will require either restoration or preservation. It’s also described as mechanically sound, though the prospective buyer is advised to have the car inspected before attempting to drive it on public roads.
Offered by Fangio’s family still under Argentine registration, the Torino (chassis number 613-00570), will cross the block with no reserve. No pre-auction estimate was provided.
Silverstone’s NEC Classic Motor Show Sale will take place November 15 to 16 in Birmingham, England. For additional details, visit SilverstoneAuctions.com.
UPDATE (19.November 2013): The Torino sold for £28,175, or about $45,000.