Forgotten Innovation - When you think of sports cars, countries like Italy, Germany, and the United States are often the first to come to mind. However, you might be surprised to learn that Argentina, a nation known for its passionate sports culture, legendary racing heroes, and automotive enthusiasts, also made its own unique mark in the world of automotive design, contributing to the global landscape of high-performance vehicles.
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The first I.A.V.A. Mara prototype was presented in August 1971, when Fisanotti and his colleague Miguel Angel Galuzzi introduced the idea of a car that would combine Italian design influence with Argentine ingenuity. (Picture from: Mitutu)
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Alongside iconic figures such as
legendary racer Juan Manuel Fangio, and
automotive pioneers like Alejandro De Tomaso and
Horacio Pagani, Argentina has its own lesser-known stories of innovation in the automotive industry. One such story takes us back to
the 1970s, when
the "Industria Argentina de Vehículos de Avanzada," (I.A.V.A.) or Argentine Advanced Vehicles Industry created the unique
Mara sports car, marking a fascinating chapter in the country's automotive history.
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| The Mara sports car was the I.A.V.A. first project, was a
bold and ambitious attempt to create a sports car that could stand
alongside some of the most recognized names in automotive history. (Picture from: RareComponentCars) |
In the early 1970s, a pivotal development occurred in
the small town of Martínez, located within the Province of Buenos Aires. Here,
the Industria Argentina de Vehículos de Avanzada (I.A.V.A.) was born, thanks to the initiative of the Fiat dealer group in Argentina. This company was founded by
engineer Juan Carlos Fisanotti, who took on the role of technical manager. The
Mara,
I.A.V.A.’s first major project, was a bold and ambitious attempt to create a sports car that could stand alongside some of the most recognized names in automotive history.
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| The I.A.V.A. Mara, the company’s first sports car prototype featuring an enlarged 1200cc engine based on the Fiat 128’s 1100cc, underwent initial road tests as a bold step in automotive innovation. (Picture from: RareComponentCars) |
The concept was presented in
August 1971, when
Fisanotti and
his colleague Miguel Angel Galuzzi introduced the idea of a car that would combine Italian design influence with Argentine ingenuity. The
Mara's design was nothing short of striking. Despite being a product of a small Argentine company, the
Mara clearly displayed the ambition to compete on the international stage. The car’s exterior bodywork was crafted from
fiberglass, a material that allowed for flexibility and reduced weight, crucial elements for a sports car aimed at achieving impressive performance.
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| The I.A.V.A. Mara’s fiberglass bodywork, influenced by iconic design houses like Bertone and Italdesign, combined flexibility, reduced weight, and a sleek, futuristic appearance essential for high performance. (Picture from: RareComponentCars) |
The body shape itself was influenced by iconic automotive design houses like
Bertone and
Italdesign, giving the
Mara a sleek and futuristic appearance. Anyone familiar with
the Maserati Boomerang concept car would immediately notice the similar design elements present in the
Mara, especially in its bold angles and aerodynamic form. One of the most innovative aspects of the
Mara was
its engine configuration.
I.A.V.A. chose to base the car's mechanicals on
the Fiat 128, a well-known Italian model, but made significant modifications.
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| The rear view of the I.A.V.A. Mara prototype, showcasing the distinctive Kamm-tail aerodynamic design, enhances its overall performance and sleek appearance. (Picture from: Fiat128DelSur) |
The original 1100cc engine of the Fiat 128 was enlarged to 1200cc, giving the
Mara an edge in power and performance. This change aimed to push the prototype’s performance to
a top speed of 130 mph, a notable figure for a car built in Argentina during the 1970s. To further enhance its sporty characteristics,
the engine and transmission were placed in a mid-rear position, which improved the car’s handling and balance, a key feature for sports cars of the era.
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| After a series of exhibitions in Europe, the I.A.V.A. Mara was redesigned with a more modern look, including the addition of retractable headlights. (Picture from: RareComponentCars) |
Although the
Mara was still a prototype, its potential was clear. The
I.A.V.A. team intended to take the car to European exhibitions, hoping to gauge public reaction and generate interest in both local and export markets. The goal was not only to introduce a new sports car to Argentina but also to make a mark on the global automotive scene. However, despite the bold ambitions, the
Mara never saw mass production.
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| The front view of the I.A.V.A. Mara, enhanced with a sleeker design and modern features, following an extensive redesign process. (Picture from: RareComponentCars) |
Only one unit of the car was built,
and after several public appearances in redesigned versions, the company ultimately shifted its focus to other projects, including a line of tuning accessories for Fiat models that became very successful in Argentina. The story of the
Mara, though short-lived, is a testament to the innovative spirit of Argentina’s automotive engineers in the 1970s. While the car was never mass-produced, it represents a fascinating moment in the country’s attempt to carve out a niche in the sports car world.
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| The rear view of the I.A.V.A. Mara, following a redesign process, features a shape that subtly resembles the iconic Lancia Stratos HF. (Picture from: RareComponentCars) |
The
I.A.V.A. may have moved on to different ventures, but the Mara remains a symbol of what could have been—an Argentine sports car that never reached its full potential but nonetheless left a unique legacy. In the end, the
Mara serves as a reminder that innovation often comes from the most unexpected places. While Argentina’s automotive history may not be as widely celebrated as some of the world’s biggest car-producing nations, the country’s contributions—like the
Mara—demonstrate that the passion for sports cars is truly global.
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| After facing challenging times, the I.A.V.A. Mara underwent a restoration process aimed at reviving its former performance, though the results remain unknown to this day. (Picture from: Fiat128DelSur) |
The legacy of engineers like
Juan Carlos Fisanotti and
Miguel Angel Galuzzi may not have resulted in the international fame they had hoped for, but their work in creating the
Mara is still remembered as a daring and imaginative step in Argentina’s automotive evolution.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FIAT128DELSUR | MITUTU | IAVA.SANJUAN | RARECOMPONENTCARS | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Alongside iconic figures such as legendary racer Juan Manuel Fangio, and automotive pioneers like Alejandro De Tomaso and Horacio Pagani, Argentina has its own lesser-known stories of innovation in the automotive industry. One such story takes us back to the 1970s, when the "Industria Argentina de Vehículos de Avanzada," (I.A.V.A.) or Argentine Advanced Vehicles Industry created the unique Mara sports car, marking a fascinating chapter in the country's automotive history. 
