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Topic starter
05/08/2021 5:44 pm
Today's mail brought (very quickly!) my recently ordered IKA Begantin sedan by Cartrix (Argentina), made in one resin block, affixed wheels, artisan hand-made & painted, 1/43 scale. Hemmings described the 1:1 this way:
IKA (Industrias Kaiser Argentina) BEGANTIN (Brigantine) - Alfa body, Willys engine: Kaiser's short-lived (1960- 1962) South American mid-size. . . .
For the full Hemmings account of the 1:1, see
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/the-kaiser-bergantin
My note: In modern American terminology, the term “brigantine” usually means a vessel with the foremast square rigged and the mainmast fore-and-aft rigged, without any square sails. Historically, this rig used was called a schooner brig' or hermaphrodite brig. I have a hunch that Alfa supporters may say this one was aptly named.
So my model represents an Alfa Romeo 1900 body with some 1960 styling updates, powered by a locally built Willys four-cylinder engine. The second year, the Kaiser-Willys (ex- Continental) six-cylinder 115-hp engine was also available.
My admiration for the last Kaiser (the Manhattan that became the Cabalero) brought me to this unusual model of a relatively unknown (at least to me) car. I like it!
And so, Just in my imagination, I'm trying it out in the Argentine pampas!
Enjoy! David H 
05/08/2021 7:25 pm
David, this is a great little model. The solid resin block is unusual. The last models that I had in solid block were by Lionel for a special anniversary car carrier with two vehicles. I have not seen this model previously. The mix of Alfa Romeo and Willys in an Argentine car is certainly unique. Thanks for posting this.
Karl Schnelle and Karl Schnelle reacted
05/08/2021 8:17 pm
Just for comparison sake, here is an original Alfa 1900.
Seen a few years ago at an historic Mille Miglia race.