Crafted Rarity - Back when the global car industry was dominated by major players, there were still hidden corners of the world where creativity thrived and a deep love for automobiles gave rise to machines that broke all the rules. These were places where innovation wasn’t driven by large budgets, but by bold ideas and hands-on ingenuity.
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| This example of the Crespi Tulia GT underwent significant modernization in 2023, receiving a range of updated features to enhance its performance and appeal. (Picture from: ObscureSupercars in X) |
1. Crespi Tulia GT
The story of the Crespi Tulia GT starts not in a design studio, but in a scrapyard, after a racing crash in 1967. Tulio Crespi, a racer-turned-car builder, received the wreckage of Nasif Estéfano’s IKA Torino, a car destroyed in a Turismo Carretera race. What might have been discarded as twisted metal became the foundation of something entirely new.
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| The Crespi Tulia GT, a limited-production grand tourer built between 1969 and 1972, embodied Argentina’s ambition to carve a place in the world of exotic automobiles. (Picture from: ObscureSupercars in X) |
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| The Crespi Tulia GT began in a scrapyard from the wreck of Nasif Estéfano’s 1967 Torino, which Tulio Crespi transformed—shortening the frame, lowering the body, and reshaping the roof—into a sleek fastback nicknamed 'El Petiso.' (Picture from: Facebook) |
Built largely by hand in Crespi’s small workshop in Buenos Aires, the Tulia GT carried the DNA of the Torino but with a sharp wedge profile, retractable headlights, and a fiberglass body that felt straight out of a European concept garage. While its foundation shared Torino parts — including the doors, floor pan, and windshield — everything else was pure Crespi.
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| The Crespi Tulia GT was equipped with Torino’s mechanical components, allowing it to effortlessly reach speeds of up to 200 km/h while maintaining smooth performance. (Picture from: Noticias.Autocosmos) |
Under the hood, engine choices varied. Some carried the 380 or 380W Tornado engine, while the livelier versions featured triple Weber carburetors, squeezing out up to 176 horsepower. That was enough to push this Argentinian machine to 200 km/h, a serious speed for its time. Inside, the Crespi Tulia GT didn't cut corners either: aluminum wheels, leather upholstery, disc brakes, electric wipers, and even a magazine player came standard, with air conditioning available for those wanting comfort with their speed. | _fP1HHB-amg |
Only about 40 units were ever made between 1969 and 1972, with just 10 sold. It remained a niche masterpiece, yet one that carried Argentina’s hopes into international showrooms — especially when it was flown to France by the Argentine Air Force for the 1975 Paris Motor Show. Presented alongside its smaller sibling, the Tulieta GT, the Tulia made a quiet yet impactful appearance on the global stage. It stood proudly next to far more industrially-produced rivals, earning respect for its unique styling and Argentine heart.
2. Crespi Tulieta GT
Meanwhile, the Crespi Tulieta GT had its own story. Completed in early 1972, it was a lighter, more compact creation mounted on a Renault 6 platform with a 1,020cc engine. While modest in performance, it embraced innovation in layout and materials. Its fiberglass and reinforced plastic body wrapped around a front-wheel-drive setup with an engine mounted centrally — a layout more often seen in race cars than road-going coupes. Tulieta GTs featured folding headlights, a four-speed gearbox, and a range of surprising luxuries for such a small-batch vehicle: reclining seats, a stereo cassette player, heating, and a Nippon electric antenna.
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| The Crespi Tulieta GT was a sleek Argentinean coupé produced exclusively during 1972 to 1981 by Crespi Automotive, marking a brief but bold chapter in the country's automotive history. (Picture from: Wikipedia) |
Each unit was built with care, and though production was slow, about 50 were completed between 1972 and 1981. Most were convertibles, giving them an airy, playful look. Custom instrument panels carried Jaeger gauges — speedometer, tachometer, fuel, oil, and temperature indicators — all specially designed for this model. Like the Crespi Tulia, the Tulieta was also showcased at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, gaining brief international attention despite the limitations of its small-scale production.
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| The Crespi Tulieta GT, produced by Crespi Automotive in Buenos Aires, saw around 50 units built—though exact figures are uncertain due to poor record-keeping—with approximately 70% made as convertibles and only 30% featuring a fixed roof. (Picture from: ObscureSupercars in X) |
Even though neither model gained widespread commercial success, their stories continue to echo through Argentina’s automotive history. The Crespi Tulia and Tulieta were never meant to compete with global giants on volume — their role was different. They represented ambition, originality, and the idea that even a workshop in Chacarita could create something the world would admire, even if only for a moment. | 6We8CSy5wY4 |
Today, both cars are rare sights. Some are kept alive by collectors, while others are hidden away or lost to time. Their legacy isn’t defined by numbers or sales, but by their daring spirit — proof that with passion and skill, even the most unlikely beginnings can lead to creations that endure far beyond expectations. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | STAGING.CARBURANDO | HISTORICAUTOPRO | NOTICIAS.AUTOCOSMOS | OBSCURESUPERCARS IN X | FACEBOOK | WIKIPEDIA ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
