• VVAUXHALL T CAR - OPEL K180 & GMC CHEVETTE IN ARGENTINA
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OPEL K180

The original T Car in Argentina was the Opel K180, launched in November 1974 for the 1975 model year. At the time it represented a major investment for General Motors in the country. Opel in Argentina had previously been associated with larger imported cars but the K180 was designed to compete with medium sector rivals such as the Dodge 1500 and Peugeot 504, it also coincided with Ford pulling the plug on the Taunus. The K180 got its name from K for Kadett and 180 related to the engine capacity which was 1800cc.

Although almost identical in outside appearance to the Opel Kadett C the engine was completely different and was actually designed and developed in Argentina. Work began on the engine in October 1971 ahead of the T Car programme launch. The starting point was the Chevrolet 6 cylinder 194ci unit. This was then cut down in size by lopping off 2 of the cylinders and then fitted with a new cylinder head specially designed in Argentina. Ironically, the one Opel part that was used on the engine was the rocker cover from the Opel CIH engine. The new engine was named “Chevrolet 110” with a power output of 86bhp which compared favourably with segment rivals. To make the engine fit did require some extensive modifications to the front engine bay and suspension sub frame. From the rear the car was similar to the Vauxhall Chevette GL Saloon with a matt black rear panel between the rear light units. In 1977 the K180 was awarded Car of the Year by APICA (Asociasión of Journalists Automotive Industry and Commerce) a full two years after launch.

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ONE OF THE ORIGINAL LAUNCH PICTURES FOR THE K180 IN NOVEMBER 1974

Inside the car used locally produced seats and door trims, also the dashboard used Chevette / Kadett C instruments but the rest of the dashboard and centre console was completely different and was designed and produced in Argentina.

There were very few versions of the Opel K-180. Following the Standard models, the second version came in 1976, the "Opel K180 Rally". This model was launched to broaden appeal to younger buyers looking for something sportier in appearance and incorporated a number

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THREE PRESS RELEASE PICTURES ISSUED BY GM ARGENTINA FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE K180 RALLY

of details like a rev counter, new radial tires, black bumpers, and two lateral stripes with the emblem "Rally". In 1977 the LX was released with a more luxurious interior including a new centre console and smaller diameter leather covered steering wheel.

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A PRESS LAUNCH PHOTOGRAPH FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE K180 LX FOR THE 1977MY

The K180 was only sold by General Motors as a 4 door saloon but there was a conversion to an Estate car available, shown on the right, called the K180 Rural, it looks like a bit of fibre-glass roof tacked onto the back of a Saloon - what a botch up! No surprise that very few were sold! It would have been easy for GM to build a K180 2 Door Saloon, 3 Door Hatch & an Estate but for some reason they didn't.

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The K180 ceased production late in 1978 and was eventually replaced by the GMC Chevette in 1980

BRIEF SPECIFICATIONS:

Engine:                                   Chevrolet 110 4cylinder OHV 1797cc

 

Power:                                    83bhp (SAE) @ 5200rpm

 

Compression ratio:               8.2:1


Spark plugs:                          Bosch W300-35

 

Fuel:                                       Naphtha Special Trade

 

Carburettor:                           Bendix downdraft


Transmission:                        4 speed manual


Electrical:                               12v 32amp Alternator                  

 

Curb weight:                          990kg

 

Gross vehicle weight:           1370kg  

BROCHURES:

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ONE OF THE LAUNCH BROCHURES FOR THE 1975MY K180

ANOTHER LAUNCH BROCHURE FROM 1975, A SINGLE SHEET WITH SPECIFICATIONS ON THE BACK

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AN OPEL K180 BROCHURE FROM 11.75

AN OPEL K180 BROCHURE FROM 11.76

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AN OPEL K180 BROCHURE 11.77

ADVERTISING:

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OPEL K180 LAUNCH ADVERTISEMENT (1)

OPEL K180 LAUNCH ADVERTISEMENT (2)

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OPEL K180 LAUNCH ADVERT 03.76

 OPEL K180 ADVERT 09.76

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OPEL K180 ADVERT 11.76

 OPEL K180 LX ADVERT 09.77

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OPEL K180 RALLY ADVERT 10.77

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OPEL K180 LX ADVERT 11.77

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OPEL K180 LX ADVERT 02.78

YOUTUBE VIDEOS:

GMC CHEVETTE:

GMC has traditionally always been associated with US and Canadian trucks & pick-ups and as a commercial vehicle brand, but the T Car in Argentina used the GMC badge when it re-entered the Argentinian market from 1992 until 1995 for a version of the Chevette. The GMC Chevette was built by GM do Brazil specifically for the Argentinian market as part of an alliance between two companies – Renault Argentina who formed part of the alliance called CIADEA (Compañia Interamericana de Automóviles) and GM do Brazil. For General Motors it effectively replaced the Opel K180, which was withdrawn in 1978 after the production facilities in Argentina were closed amid 

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THE GMC CHEVETTE WAS THE ONLY PASSENGER SALOON TO WEAR GMC BADGES

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A FACTORY PHOTOGRAPH OF THE 1982 GMC CHEVETTE 2 DOOR SALOON

world political reaction to the then government dictatorship. The agreement signed between GM do Brazil and CIADEA committed Renault to export to Brazil the Renault Traffic which were then re-badged as the Chevrolet Traffic and sold by GM. In return GM exported a version of the Chevrolet Chevette badged as a GMC so it could be sold through Chevrolet as well as Renault dealers in Argentina. The main differences between the GMC Chevette and Opel K180 were mechanical, the GMC Chevette came from Brazil with a 1.6litre OHC engine (200 cc. Smaller than the Opel K-180) and also the option of the 1.7litre Isuzu diesel engine, something that Opel did not offer when it was 

made ​​in Argentina. Also the Chevette came with gearbox options: 5-speed manual or automatic. The Opel K-180 was only ever equipped with a 4 speed gearbox. The GMC was available in 2 or 4 door saloon and also the Chevrolet 500 pick-up, whereas the K180 was a 4 door only.
The GMC was well received in Argentina as a replacement for the very popular K180 and continued the reputation for reliability and longevity. One of the few problems with the GMC Chevette was

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A FACTORY PHOTOGRAPH OF THE 1984 GMC CHEVETTE 4 DOOR SALOON

the difficulty in getting spare parts for the car. In Argentina all parts were imported from Brazil but these were mainly mechanical components, the trim and body parts were only imported in small quantities. The car still sold very well and gained the nickname “Load Burrito”
It was eventually replaced by the locally built Chevrolet Corsa but the car ever reached the same popularity as the original K180. The joint agreement with Renault was dissolved in 1995 and with it the end of the GMC Chevette.