TurboPicks: Filipino Cars I'm Proud Of (Part 1 of 2)

Once again, CT Retro and Classics, this is the post you’ve been waiting for, and now, I’m going to show you some vehicles that I’m proud of, from the Philippines, as part of saying thank you to my country as a natural born citizen. In this TurboPicks, I’ll show you some cars you’ve never known were made. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this TurboPicks special.

1. Sarao Jeepney
   For those who have never been to the Philippines, the jeepney is our national vehicle and has been around ever since post-WW2. Built from the chassis of a Willys jeep, most jeepneys are about as long as a minibus, and can sit around 10-12 people. For locals, the jeepney is an alternative for those who can’t ride the taxi, the city bus, or the metro train.

Sarao is the most famous jeepney builder in the Philippines. Almost all the jeepneys in the country are made by Sarao and are mated to either an Isuzu 4BC2 engine, or the Toyota gasoline engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. Since it is used for mass transport, most locals can ride the jeepney without air-conditioning, but it actually doesn’t matter. With or without luxury, most Filipino citizens enjoy commuting on a jeepney.

If you think that the jeepney is only for mass transport, then you’ve got it wrong. Aside from Sarao, most local builders create the pasad, a jeepney made from CKD (completely knocked-down) parts from either a sedan or utility vehicle, and then there’s the owner-type, that can be configurated into a pickup truck or a hardtop jeep, which can sit 4-6 people. To sum it all up, the jeepney is the one vehicle that without it, the Philippines won’t have a national vehicle.

1. Isuzu Panther/HiLander
   This Isuzu vehicle may be known to some Asian countries as a versatile AUV, especially in the Philippines. Either configurated as a 5-7 seater, this family AUV is powered by a CRDi diesel inline-4 engine that puts out an estimate of 86hp, either mated to a 4-speed automatic of 5-speed manual transmission. The HiLander is actually very commonly seen on Philippine roads, either as taxicabs or utility vehicles. This vehicle is flood-proof because of its ride height, and also because of its 4JA1 engine. Truly, if you want a MPV that is one part 4x4 and one part family car, get the Isuzu HiLander.

2. Toyota Tamaraw
   For those people who know the Toyota Kijang, this is the grandfather of it all. This AUV is commonly seen as a taxicab or a jeepney, or even a service utility truck. The first-generation KF10 was a 2-door pickup truck powered by the 3K I4 engine, like as seen on the Corolla. The newer 1981 model that is seen on Philippine roads were then powered by the 4K/5K inlines. It was also then a pick-up truck, as a dropside.

The FX Tamaraw, and the FX Revo, are the most common public transport modes next to the jeepneys. Seen either as a UV Express taxi or a personal AUV, it is still powered by the I4 engine, and it was somehow rogue, and the Revo, on the other hand, was more curvy and modern, and probably the predecessor of the famous Toyota Avanza.

The reason why I really like the Toyota Tamaraw is because it is tough and utilized well, either for your business, or for your daily cruising down the road.

1. Delta Motors
   The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) are known not just for their strength and defence solutions, but also for the Mini Cruiser, a military-spec FJ40 built in the Philippines that was also known as the M-1777. Really, even if it is now dissolved, you can never find a rare and collectible military jeep like this.

2. GM Harabas
   Back in the 1970s, General Motors had a locally-built AUV called the Harabas. It was widely known then as the Harabas Taxi, used and operated by the Manila Taksi Corporation. Even if little was known about the Harabas, it paved the way for the modern-day Toyota FX taxicabs, and the basis for the Filipino AUV.

3. Ford Fiera
   The Fiera was the frontliner during the 1970s as the first AUV. Rogue and robust and made out of meager parts, this locally built AUV was powered by either a 1200cc or a 1300cc engine, and are used as jeepneys or PUVs. Even if it was boxy and boring for some who see it the first time, it’s rare to see one on normal roads, and can probably be a collector’s item.

4. Aurelio P1 Supercar
   Behold, CT! This is the first ever Filipino-made sportscar, and it puts out 500hp despite having a 1.8L Turbo under the hood. Featured at the 2014 TranSport Show in Manila, many potential authors from Motor Trend, AutoIndustriya, and many more car sites featured this beauty not only because it was a first in Philippine motoring history, but it is also aerodynamic, and made from fiberglass. Get ready, world! Philippines is getting a grip of it, you know?

5. Rapid7 Roadster
   At a glimpse, you may think that the car that built the car is a copycat manufacturer. But in reality, Rapid7 Technologies creates car kits of open-wheeled vehicles like the Caterham 7, and prototypes worth collecting. For those who are willing to show off, prepare your donor cars, because you can get your hands on your very own Filipino-made Caterham 7 for only 135,000 Philippine Pesos. Nice, ain’t it?

Well guys, I’m sorry to stop it here for a moment, but anyways, a part two is coming soon! Stay tuned to see the other cars of the Philippines! Bye!