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

Hello, CT Retro and Classics people! Finally, after more than a week, the TurboCarl has managed to find a set of other Filipino cars that are full of joy. So, likewise, as I said, I will have some other cars in the Philippines that make me a proud Filipino citizen.

So, without further ado, here are 4 other Filipino cars I’m proud of:

1. Mazda Anfra
   This simple, rogue and versatile AUV was famous during the late 1980s and were a hit as a competitor for the Ford Fiera and the Toyota Tamaraw. Available as either a 2-door or a 4-door passenger AUV, Despite being locally built here by local car manufacturer Francisco Motors, the engine was powered by the Superior 4D engine. If you’d wonder why I called it the Mazda Anfra, that’s because some of the parts like its chassis were made by Mazda Philippines, manufactured by Francisco Motors.

2. Mitsubishi Cimarron
   Famous for probably being the grandfather of the very common L300 minivan, the Cimarron gave an idea of how the L300 is right now. Built during the 1980s, and made to rival the Tamaraw, Fiera and the Trakbayan. Powered then by a 1800cc 4-cylinder engine, it was not that much fuel-economic. Fuel economy of the Mitsubishi Cimarron? 7 km/L. Surprising, right?

3. VW Trakbayan/Sakbayan
   These two locally-made VWs under DMG Corporation were rough, powerful, and safe. To start, the Sakbayan was called the Country Buggy outside of the Philippines, and was either based on a VW Thing or a VW Beetle. As said in local commercials, this car is an all-around vehicle, capable of handling 4x4 technology, and is a breed of “a truck’s stamina and an economic car”.

The Trakbayan, on the other hand, was based on the EA489 Basistransporter, a 2-door platform truck, powered by a 1.6L air-cooled engine mated to a 4-speed manual that puts out 44hp, and surprisingly, it is an FWD. Even if it is outdated and boxy to most people, this car may be remembered as a versatile, easy-to-own minitruck that can rival the Fiera, or the Tamaraw.

1. Alana Motors “Hammer”
   For those people here who miss the H1 Alpha, worry no more, because Filipino car manufacturer Alana Motors Corporation has built an off-road ready, versatile replica of the Hummer H1 called the AMC “Hammer”. This car was based on a Nissan Patrol chassis, drivetrain, and other components, and has either a SD33 3.3L I6, or the TD42 4.2L normally-aspirated I6. Putting out 115hp, asnd 195 ft-lbs of torque at 2,000 rpm, it can somehow race a normal AUV on the freeway and yet go off-road with your usual 4x4. Do you want one? It’s only at the price of 648,000 pesos, and is way much cheaper than a new Hummer, worth 5,000,000 pesos.

   Well, my friends, that’s part 2 of this TurboPicks! If you enjoyed this edition of TurboPicks, feel free to leave a comment below and tell me aboout your ideas on Philippine motoring. Once again, this is the TurboCarl signing off, saying stay safe, shift stick, and #BeProudOfYourCountry! Bye!