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The Nissan Patrol 'Fanta Limón' returns to the desert

El N The third generation (1980-89) has been one of those versatile, solid and reliable vehicles that have been really useful throughout the globe. Manufactured in various parts of the world, part of the production was assigned to Motor Ibérica, SA, which had its main production plants in Ávila and especially in Barcelona.

The history of Iberian motor It is somewhat convoluted, so basically we will say that it was the Spanish Ford between 1920 and 1954 and that, subsequently, it was made little by little by Massey-Ferguson with a large number of native manufacturers of light commercial vehicles: FADISA, AVIA , AISA, VIASA…; tractors, that spanish jeeps, the Alfa Romeo 'vans' or the Ebro-Siata, among others, they were supplied by this former automotive company.

In 1980 Massey sold the shares of Motor Ibérica to Nissan, which began to produce the Patrol and Vanette models at its facilities. At the height of 1987, the Japanese brand took control 'total' of the company and thus became one of its European subsidiaries, Nissan Motor Ibérica.

The Spanish Patrol, In their short and long wheelbase versions and with different engines - let's not forget the 'native' Perkins - they had two versions: A first made between 1981 and 1985, distinguishable among other things by its round headlights; and a second, produced between 1985 and 2001, beyond the validity of the model, and whose lenses are square.

A Nissan Patrol Diesel to the Dakar

Once the presentations are made, let's go to what interests us. In 1986 a team of figures of the Nissan European Technical Center (NTCE) in Barcelona got down to work to prepare a 2nd series Patrol to win the Dakar. Within the Nissan Motorsport program, the idea was to elevate the new SD33 turbodiesel mechanics to the top.

Once the Spanish project was fine-tuned in 1987, two units, numbered 211 and 212 and piloted by Miguel Prieto and Ramon Termens and Jorge and Hansi Babler, respectively, took part in the diesel category of the tough African journey.

In the second stage, the assistance truck broke down and the equipment was left without spare parts. Later the 212 capsized and rolled down a dune. The 211 continued on completing the 13.000 kilometers in the first position in the diesel category and ninth in the general classification. The first 'oil' of history to sneak into the top ten of the mythical endurance race, a complete success.

In Video: Hobby in its purest form

After the triumph the cars, nicknamed 'Lemon fanta' For obvious reasons, they returned home and, over the years, the 212 lost track of it. For its part, 211 went to the fantastic Salvador Claret collection in Sils, where it has been kept until 3 years ago when a group of engineers and workers from the Nissan plant in Barcelona recovered it to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the aforementioned feat.

Currando in his spare time And on the weekends, they have honored the Japanese philosophy of work by bringing back to life a car that had suffered - how could it be otherwise - the passage of time and the injuries of the competition. Above all, it is a pleasure to see the passion with which they and the brand have undertaken the restoration.

Just a month ago, once the work was finished, they returned to the desert to tell us about their experience in Video. A pity that we have not found a version subtitled into Spanish but, if you pay attention, I think you will understand them the same 😉

* We thank Sergio Astorga Arcas for breaking the news

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Written by javier romagosa

My name is Javier Romagosa. My father has always been passionate about historic vehicles and I have inherited his hobby, while growing up among classic cars and motorcycles. I have studied journalism and continue to do so as I want to become a university professor and change the world ... Read more

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