Let's go Carspotting in Mexico City using Google Earth! Part 3!

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2) 05/11/2020 at 13:53 • Filed to: Carspotting in Google Earth, Dots, Carspotting, Google Street View

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I recently poked around on Google Earth out of boredom, happening to land in Mexico City. As usual, I decided to document some of the most unusual stuff to be found around the city.

Previously I have gone virtual carspotting in !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , so this time the vehicles were a little more familiar. Nevertheless, the streets were absolutely covered in interesting autos.

If you missed the first two parts, they can be found below.

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Today is whatever was left over from the Volkswagen and old American car themes of the previous two installments. Yes, I will be covering everything from old commercial vehicles to obscure imports. Let’s jump right in.

First up, some well used commercial vehicles.

I had to research this one a bit. Based on the inscription DINA-500, I was able to find a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! detailing the history of the company that made it. The Mexican government created DINA in 1951 to build buses and trucks for the country. Based out of Sahagún in the state of Hidalgo, DINA has partnered with larger firms for technology to use in their trucks and buses over the years, but more information in English was noticeably lacking.

At any rate, the DINA 500 pictured above does not have its original grille based on pictures I found on the internet. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! tapered around the edges. You can actually see where it would have gone by the area left uncovered by the truck’s flat custom grille.

Speaking of commercial vehicles, this old step van is the very picture of neglect. It really has a striking patina to it, though personally I prefer a windshield. Still, there are ladders strapped to the roof and the tires are aired up so presumably this still sees active work. Is that a Ford Econoline grille?

I was trying to figure out exactly what Fiat this “Ram Adventure” was when I stumbled across an !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Turns out this is a Fiat Strada.

I just cannot seem to place this sporty 70s Japanese sedan. It really looks like a facelifted first gen Toyota Celica except a sedan. I’m ashamed to say my research has turned up nothing.

EDIT: Fintail pointed out this as a Datsun 710 sedan, aka Nissan Violet. Thanks.

Here’s one I did not expect to see. This boxy European sedan looks really familiar, but I still had to do some research before I got it . It is a Škoda 130! I didn’t know Škodas were even sold in Mexico but this one seems to indicate otherwise. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! only mentions the Canadian market for the western hemisphere, so I don’t know . Anyone recognize the two shells behind it?

EDIT: Dang it. Fintail pointed out that is in fact a Renault 12. I didn’t even get the engine placement right. He also said there is another 12 behind it and a different Renault hatch, either a 9 0r 11. I couldn’t tell based on comparing photos.

I didn’t expect to see these Ford Topaz coupes everywhere, but they simply littered the streets. Almost all were this particular shade of white too. Huh.

There aren’t many places where you would see a Peugeot 306 wagon parked next to a Chevy Sonic. These are two very different ways of building a car right here.

And going back to commercial vehicles, what is this? I saw them everywhere but none seemed to have any manufacturer’s mark on them.

Thanks to KnowsAboutCars for pointing out this as a Nissan Vanette.

This Ford Topaz is a sedan. The chonky Nissan next to it is apparently called a Platina. That is one thicc C pillar I can only call the wing “deluded.” I didn’t know Nissan made a car with worse proportions than the Versa but here it is just to prove me wrong. Also worth noting is the bright pink taxi livery painted on that ubiquitous Chevy Sonic.

Thanks to MrSnrub for pointing out the Nissan Platina is actually a rebadged Renault Clio. A Renault badged Clio II hatch actually sits just two cars away. The weird C pillar was because the sedan used the same doors as the hatch.

That about wraps up this escapade into the rabbit hole of Google Earth, for today at least. Did you spot anything that I missed? Let me know.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:04

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Sporty Japanese sedan is a Datsun 710 aka Nissan Violet .

Skoda appears to be a Renault 12 (I don’t think MX got the Dacia version), with another Renault 12 (shell) behind it and what looks like a Renault 9 or 11 hatch behind that.

Ford Topaz sedan has always amused me - Tempo nose with a Topaz body.  

ClassicDatsunDebate > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:09

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I want to say B210

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 05/11/2020 at 14:09

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Aw dang it. The Renault would make more sense, but they do look pretty similar I guess, though the Skoda lacks that sharp body crease.

OK maybe I’m just a blind raving lunatic. Looks pretty obvious when you have them side by side. And one is front engined of course.

Thanks for the tip on the Renault and the Datsun. I’ll credit you.

MrSnrub > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:13

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Google Earth carspotting is fun. I usually stick to Europe so I can contemptuously admire the stuff we don’t get here but Mexico has quite the interesting variety.

I thought that Nissan was a Dacia derivative at first but then I realized it’s actually a 4-door version of the Renault Clio II.

Looks like it uses the same rear doors as the hatch, which explains the awkward shape.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:13

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Great finds, I really like this. I also have something to add:

There aren’t many places where you would see a Peugeot 306 wagon parked next to a Chevy Sonic.

This is false for Europe and the Middle East, since the Sonic (Here a Chevy Aveo) is quite popular, and can be see frequently. The Pug more rare, but still can be around.

Oh, and the last van could be some version of the Toyota HiAce.

KnowsAboutCars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:14

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I think that unidentified van is a Nissan Vanette.

That Nissan parked next to the Topaz strikes me as funny since it’s badge engineered Renault Clio sedan. Meanwhile there’s a Renault Clio (bearing Renault badges this time) hatch parked in the same row right next to the VW bus.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:15

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I might look around Brazil, I’m curious about the old Ford carry all type trucks they sold there. You know these restomod people make a fortune off some types of vehicles. I bet if we did it to those Brazilian Fords they would pay for exclusivity and the fact that they are pretty cool and could be even cooler with some decent parts. 

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:17

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For me, the C-pillar/trunk on the 12 is unique - that’s always the giveaway.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > MrSnrub 05/11/2020 at 14:19

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You can clearly see a Clio hatch with those same doors just two cars down in my screenshot. I almost mentioned that too but couldn’t think of the model. Strange that Nissan would rebadge the Clio in a market where Renault sells it side by side. Maybe Nissan got the sedan and Renault got the hatch? Weird, but thanks.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > KnowsAboutCars 05/11/2020 at 14:22

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Yes, it is strange because you can see the source of the strange C pillar bearing a Renault badge. Did Renault sell both in the same market as its badge engineered cousin?

Looks like you got it right with the Vanette. Strange name.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' 05/11/2020 at 14:24

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At least in north American such a sight would be unimaginable. Mexico is Central America, which has almost as weird of a market as South America. I never knew the Aveo was actually popular across the pond as a Chevy. Is it rebadged or just straight Chevrolet?

Turns out the Van is a Nissan Vanette, according to Knowsaboutcars.

KnowsAboutCars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:26

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Not any weirder than their bigger van at the time, Urvan.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 05/11/2020 at 14:28

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From that angle the fronts really do look pretty similar sans vent window (strange), but I see your point about the C pillar. Of course the Skoda was styled more modern, which is a dead giveaway when the body panels are on. What really threw me was the rear pillar vent thing.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > KnowsAboutCars 05/11/2020 at 14:30

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“ No, it’s not my van!”

“ Which  Urvan? ”

“No!”

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 05/11/2020 at 14:32

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The Brazilian market was super weird and commercial vehicles tended to stay with domestic production even after the tariffs were lifted, so I imagine it might get pretty strange. Parts were just sort of mashed up between decades, so you could really throw some people for a loop by bringing one stateside. I may just do the same.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:37

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I’m clicking all over cities and slightly smaller areas and I don’t see anything, only more modern plastic cars. I wonder if they crushed everything. They made some really crap looking ones, I’m only looking for up to the ones that look like our 1970's Ford trucks from another dimension. The early ones are probably pretty rare.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 05/11/2020 at 14:39

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I think I tried Brasil in the past but nothing very old seemed to survive. I love those crazy F100 body styles.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:43

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The rust there is probably David Tracy levels. My great uncle was an engineer and moved there after WWII to work on dam projects. I have some relations that moved to the states from there pretty recently, I could see if the dad knows much about cars. My guess is the climate and recycling got a lot of them. SOme stuff didn’t survive a decade in Hawaii, all the Datsuns died. 

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:44

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There is some similarity with the sharp edge of the roof/c-pillar and the droopy trunk/rear area too, I suspect that was a key.  Amusing that both were made for some time in the old eastern bloc.  The 17 was sold in the US for a short period, too.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 05/11/2020 at 14:46

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Too bad. Imagine driving down a US road in something like one of those F100s or even a Gurgel. Any Gurgel. I know it’s humid but why would this GS rust that much there? Just lots of rain and crappy paint/weatherproofing?

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 14:53

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Humidity, probably crap metal too. I have only been there once but it felt like a place that would rust things. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 05/11/2020 at 15:00

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With all the rain and poor roads, I imagine the moisture and other crap just gets in and sits. Yeah, I can see how rust might be an issue

XJDano > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 15:10

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Nisan Altima hearse...

https://goo.gl/maps/BXyBbUFzsSeMWhVa7

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > XJDano 05/11/2020 at 15:29

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Holy crap! You know you’ve made it when you are sent off this mortal coil in an Altima. Wait, no, that’s not it.

Do you mind if I put this in the actual post? It’s too good not to pass up.

I also find it amusing that they reached part of the trunk lid instead of making a bespoke h atch. And there is a hardware store vent just stuck in the side for the fumes. It's so tragically bad!

XJDano > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 15:34

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Yeah I don’t care. It’s really neat to waste some time on street view and come across some oddities like this. 

XJDano > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 15:43

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// /M Power ........ uhh??

and the non-AmericanRamcharger.

XJDano > XJDano 05/11/2020 at 15:51

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More hearses... Hearse? Buick and an oldie.. seems high class, also down the street is 2 VW bus and an old Ford truck on the corner

https://goo.gl/maps/BPbFzFqid95etb5G7

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > XJDano 05/11/2020 at 16:19

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lol wut?!?!?!? Buick Lacrosse Hearse? What kind of bargain brand crap is this? Once again, it has a body fumes vent.

I do like the old hearse that was apparently converted by G ayosso I’ll have to look into that . Very ornate.

And also I never knew the Durange rear end was grafted onto the 1500.

The M Sport VW is just hilarious.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 17:17

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Yep, the Aveo is a Chevrolet. But it’s from that weird time period when Chevrolet bought Daewoo (or at least started badging them as Chevrolets in Europe. The Aveo is so shitty that I always thought it was just a Daewoo carryover.

One car that I know for sure was both a Daewoo - and then the next year a Chevrolet, without any other changes - is the Matiz/Spark.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' 05/11/2020 at 17:23

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Daewoo was indeed deeply crappy for a while. That tiny little early Spark does indeed look crappier than the later Spark we got here. What exactly is the brand perception of Chevy in Croatia? Here they are known for making good trucks with good engines (currently very ugly) and bloated family cars like the Equinox , but they have always had a competitive small car here, usually a captive import.

Daewoo did make the Cruze though so watch you mouth. It is actually a gen ui nely good car. Mine is currently unrecognizable from pollen.

I drove it once since I last wa sh ed it.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/11/2020 at 18:22

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Yeah I don’t doubt that the Cruze is a good deal, especially for the price range. This is their range here:

No brand perception at all. When you say the word C hevrolet here, people associate it with old muscle cars and american pickups, on a farm somewhere far away in Texas. And then you have to remind them that they exist here, and then they think: Oh yeeaah... We DO have them here. Isn ’t that just a Kia with a gold plus on the front?

I think they should have entered the market with far more money for PR and strong, big and “american” models to create the brand image and capitalize on the exotic Chevrolet name, maybe even import a few pickups. They would be a flop in sales but would definitely sell a few to rich people and raise some eyebrows. THEN they should have rebadged the Daewoos.

They mainly sell the Spark, Aveo and Cruze (mostly Ubers) here, maybe you see the occasional Orlando. I’ve never seen a Malibu.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' 05/11/2020 at 19:08

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Hmm I suspected as much. They really should capitalize on their brash American image more. If Croatians imagine Chevys as being on a ranch in Texas instead of parked in a suburban driveway or in the elementary pickup line, then so be it. Sell something to give the Daewoo derived stuff prestige.

I also always forget about the Orlando. They are sold in Canada but I’ve never been anywhere close to seeing one. I also believe the Captiva is entirely separate from the USDM SUVs. They briefly sold it here but it was just too cheap and kinda crappy.

I think the Malibu is the most “USDM” thing there, but even then you only get the previous generation of Chevy vehicles. No wonder they are thought of as crappy. I mean the Cruze is a great car for 2012 but maybe not 2020. We also didn’t get the hatchback until the next gen which has been discontinued.

Here’s the US lineup BTW. Much more extensive.

Yes, GM sells plenty of crate engine V8s straight off their website.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/12/2020 at 03:43

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Yeah that’s a pretty big difference in perception, lineup, etc.
I love that you can just buy an engine.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/12/2020 at 06:12

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i’ll take the Pug 306 wagon or all the wrecked Renaults

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > pip bip - choose Corrour 05/12/2020 at 09:37

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Curiously enough I would do the same. Those are some rare wrecks right there.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' 05/12/2020 at 09:40

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As far as I can see the Trax is the only car shared between them. Even then, the Trax is a very slow seller, so it’s basically entirely different lineups.