Independent Ingenuity - In the long shadow of mass-produced performance cars, some of the most fascinating machines are those born far from the spotlight, shaped by ambition rather than industry scale. Argentina in the 1960s was one such place, where local ingenuity often had to work within tight economic and industrial limits. Out of this environment emerged a small but daring project known as
the Varela Andino GT, a sports car conceived not to compete globally, but to prove that a true Gran Turismo could be created using local resources and sharp ideas.
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| The Andino GT was a compact two-door sports coupe designed by Luis Varela in 1966 and built in Argentina by Nueve de Julio Automotores SRL, making its public debut at the 1967 Autodromo Auto Show. (Picture from: ClassicVirus) |
The Andino GT was the brainchild of Luis Varela, an Argentine designer and engineer who first introduced the concept publicly in 1966 through articles in Automundo magazine. His goal was clear: to design a lightweight GT car built around components already produced in Argentina, specifically parts from the Renault Dauphine and Gordini manufactured by IKA Renault.
Visually,
the project looked far beyond its borders,
drawing inspiration from the futuristic Alfa Romeo Canguro concept of 1965, yet translating that influence into something compact, practical, and achievable for a small-scale producer.
The first true prototype took shape in 1967 and entered testing the following year.
It featured a central-tube chassis inspired by cars like the De Tomaso Mangusta,
paired with a mid-mounted Renault Gordini 850 cc engine producing around 50 horsepower.
Despite modest output,
the numbers told a different story:
a height of just 1.04 meters,
a curb weight of approximately 580 kilograms,
and a top speed recorded at about 175 km/h during tests at the 9 de Julio circuit in Buenos Aires.
The prototype combined a handmade steel cockpit with aluminum trunk and tail sections, underscoring the artisanal nature of the project.
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| The Andino GT was initially known as the “Renault GT” before entering production as the “Varela Andino GT,” and it was built in two series, the first from 1970 to 1973 and the second from 1974 to 1980. (Picture from: GTPlanet) |
Production followed soon after,
once modifications requested by IKA Renault Argentina were completed.
This led to the first series of the Andino GT,
notable for carrying an official factory-backed guarantee from IKA Renault itself—
an unusual endorsement for such a limited-production sports car.
Only twelve examples were built,
featuring steel cockpits and fiberglass rear sections.
Early cars retained the 850 cc engine,
while later units adopted Renault 6 engines in 1100 cc and 1200 cc configurations, a
ll paired with modified Gordini gearboxes adapted for the mid-engine layout.
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| The Andino GT prototype was built at Roberto Lui’s Nueve de Julio agency, with sheet metal worker Lito Sist at the center and designer Luis Varela standing to the left. (Picture from: AutoHistoria) |
A second chapter opened between roughly 1972 and 1976,
when the Andino GT returned as a kit-based second series.
This version moved fully to fiberglass for the cockpit,
trunk,
and tail,
making production more accessible while preserving the car’s original proportions and mid-engine balance.
Around 90 to 100 units were produced during this period,
most using locally available Renault 12 engines ranging from 1300 to 1400 cc.
Power outputs varied widely,
from about 60 horsepower to well over 90, d
epending on tuning,
while weight distribution settled at roughly 40–45 percent front and 55–60 percent rear,
giving the car its lively driving character.
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| Juan Manuel Fangio and Luis Varela on the day of the presentation of the Andino GT. (Picture from: AutoHistoria) |
Today,
the Varela Andino GT occupies a quiet but meaningful place in automotive history.
Of all cars from both series,
only an estimated 25 to 30 survive, nearly all undergoing restoration.
Its significance lies not in rarity alone,
but in what it represents: a moment when creativity,
local industry,
and determination converged to produce a genuine Argentine sports car. In a modern era that increasingly celebrates bespoke engineering and forgotten innovators,
the Andino GT feels less like an obscure footnote and more like a reminder that passion-driven design has always found ways to exist—no matter how small the workshop or how limited the tools.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICVIRUS | AUTOHISTORIA | GTPLANET | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTSCARS IN FACEBOOK | MOTOR SALVAT ARG IN FACEBOOK ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
