The 12 best cars made in Spain

It will be because of the arrival of July, but in the editorial staff of LA ESCUDERÍA We have started the week wanting to get into “screw”. We have gotten all wrapped up in our heads to try to choose the best cars made in Spain. It is a list that complements the one we already made of the most important cars in the history of Spain.

This time, we have to start by clarifying what exactly better means. The criterion we have followed is to opt for the most luxurious or sporty ones., that is, those that were possibly more expensive at the time. So that brands like Hispano-Suiza do not monopolize the list, We have tried to find a certain variety. Also in the case of other manufacturers we have been left with a single model. This is a subjective criterion, so Surely there will be those who would have included other cars.

The idea is to see How premium cars have evolved over the last century, including sports ones, without temporary restrictions, since we even include a model in production. When compiling them, we have chosen to do so in alphabetical order, since Choosing a single car as the best made in Spain is practically an impossible mission.. We start.

ALPINE A110

Our first protagonist is one of the most remembered sports cars in history, especially for his presence and success in competition. Replacing the A108, its lines are the work of the brilliant Giovanni Michelotti and we fell in love with it from the beginning. It had engines and components of Renault origin. In Spain, It was manufactured by FASA, which also assembled the A108. It was manufactured between 1967 and 1978, a period in which it had 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4 mechanics, the latter with the engine of the R5 Cup which had no reply in France.

CITROËN CX

The CX had the complicated mission of replacing the Citroën DS, a role that he fulfilled in a more than notable way. Designed by Robert Opron, its highly aerodynamic lines served to baptize it, as it had a CX of 0,35, astonishing for the time. Chosen one Car of the Year in Europe in 1975, remained in production between 1974 and 1991, placing more than one million copies on the market. At the PSA Vigo factory, the Citroën CX was manufactured between 1976 and 1980, with a total of 17.199 units assembled.

CHRYSLER 180

Although in France and England, the countries that shared their development, el Chrysler 180 was received by the market with little enthusiasm, in Spain he did achieve a good reputation. Besides, ended up being produced in the factory Barreiros in Villaverde (Madrid), from where it was distributed to the rest of Europe. Here 160, 180 and 2 liters were manufactured, although the first only for export, also a diesel that had some success as a taxi. The 2 Liter was replaced by the 180 Automatic, being not one of the first cars manufactured in Spain with this change. Production lasted until 1982, already under the Talbot brand, at which time it was no longer sold in Europe.

DODGE 3700GT

If we talk about the best cars made in Spain, can not miss the Dodge 3700GT. He was the substitute for Dart, the first car built by Barreiros after his association with the American Chrysler. It was about a luxury sedan with a 6-cylinder engine that is difficult to fit into the national market, hence they were sold in numbers much lower than those expected within the company. The Dodge 3700 GT had better finishes than the “plain” 3700, in addition to a four-speed transmission, independent front seats and a center console. It was manufactured between 1971 and 1977 and His memory is also associated with assassination of Carrero Blanco.

ELIZALDE TYPE 48

Also know as Super Summit, the Elizalde Tipo 48 was an extraordinary car, so luxurious that it ended up being a commercial failure. In fact, there is talk that It was Alfonso XIII who suggested to Elizalde the construction of a “summit” automobile of national manufacturing. It was presented at the 1921 Paris Motor Show, where it was the largest and most luxurious car of all present. It reached almost six meters in length and was powered by an 8 cm inline 8.143-cylinder engine.³ made of a single block of aluminum, with a bronze cylinder head and steel sleeves. The power was around 160 HP. Only five or six chassis-engine assemblies were manufactured. and its price at the time was 60.000 pesetas. Without a doubt, one of the best cars manufactured in Spain, although it has largely fallen into oblivion.

GTA SPANO

Officially presented in 2008, the first functional car did not appear until three years later, in 2011. It is a supercar born from the push of the Valencian Domingo Ochoa and whose exterior design is work of the also Valencian Sento Pallardó. The GTA Spano originally had a V10 biturbo engine of Chrysler origin with 8,3 liters of displacement and 820 HP of power, derived from that used by the Viper. Since 2015, it was replaced by an 8-liter and 925 HP one. The performance figures speak of 350 km/h top speed and just 2,9 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h. The idea is to close production at 99 units. He appeared with great success in the film Need for Speed of 2014.

HISPANO-SUIZA H6

Among the models produced by the Spanish brand at its La Sagrera factory, we opt for the H6, although to do so we have to leave out of this list, for example, the Type 45 “Alfonso XIII”. We talk about the time when Hispano-Suiza and Rolls-Royce competed for being the best luxury brand on the continent, looking face to face at American firms. The Hispanic H6 It was manufactured between 1919 and 1933 and enjoyed worldwide fame. It was powered by a 6-cylinder in-line engine designed by Marc Birkigt. and was dressed by some of the best coachbuilders of the time.

NATIONAL PESCARA

The brothers Enrique and Raúl Pateras, creators of Nacional Pescara, they sought to manufacture a luxury, sophisticated car with a performance engine. Under these premises, the brand's first car was born in 1929, for which a luxurious catalog was published full of good intentions that never materialized. The design was carried out by Edmon Moglia, who was in charge of creating both the chassis and the engine of 8 cylinders in line with overhead camshaft that produced 80 HP, associated with a transmission of only two gears. The first unit was used in competition, while a second car received a torpedo-type convertible body. Two coupes, two sedans and another cabriolet were also assembled, in addition to another with a sport body until 1932.

PEGASUS Z-102

Talking about the Z-102 is probably talking about the automobile most desired and admired for the Spanish fans. He sports car created by Wilfredo Ricart represented the maximum mechanical sophistication in a context in which that seemed impossible, since we are talking about post-war Spain. With the excuse of training ENASA staff, the Z-102 represented a image operation international for the country. Furthermore, he was dressed by some of the best coachbuilders of the time, such as saoutchik o Touring, in addition to the brilliant Pedro Serra.

PEUGEOT 505

Produced in Vigo as the Citroën CX, el 505 of Peugeot was in charge of replacing the 504, which also left the Galician factory. Cataloged within what is now called segment D, it was a saloon of excellent fame that had gasoline mechanics and diesel, as it could not be otherwise when it comes to Peugeot. In Spain, a total of 146.216 units were manufactured between 1981 and 1987, far from the success it had in countries like Argentina where its production extended until 1995. The inclusion of the 505 in a list of the best cars manufactured in Spain may be surprising, but it is a perfect example of an excellent saloon made in Spain.

SEAT 1500

Although due to importance, the choice should have been the SEAT 1400, like a car, the 1500 It turned out much better. It appeared in 1963, with a body inherited from the 1400 C, but with a larger displacement engine more in line with the vehicle. The power was believed to be up to 72 HP, which matched better with an image that was reminiscent of American cars of the time. The interior was very spacious and luxurious, with a long front bench thanks to the fact that it had the gear shift on the steering wheel. 1500 was the first SEAT to offer diesel engines and also in installing disc brakes on all four wheels. Until mid-1972, A total of 140.024 units were manufactured.

SEAT 132

We finish this list of the best cars manufactured in Spain with the SEAT 132. Replacing the 1500, it was the brand's last representative in the luxury segment until the arrival of the Exeo in 2008. It was a clear step towards modernity, although it retained a traditional mechanical layout, with front engine and rear wheel drive. The interior stood out for its luxury and offered outstanding driving comfort. It was a model in constant evolution, with three series and different mechanics, also some diesel. Between April 1973 and December 1978, SEAT shipped 108.760 units of the 132, a notable figure for a car of its characteristics.