Lamley Daily: Coffaro Wheels IAME Rastrojero

(Find the Coffaro Wheels IAME Rastrojero on the Coffaro site here, and search for the Rastrojero on Ebay, there are many cool 1/43 versions out there!)

It’s been a while since I have covered one of the unique and interesting creations of Dario Coffaro, but I’m pleased to say I’ve invested in a few more of his models since October’s look at the Siam Di Tella 1500. One model I couldn’t resist was this, the IAME Rastrojero.

The Rastrojero was a small pickup truck built by the Argentine state aircraft and vehicle producer “Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado” or “IAME” for short. Produced between 1952 and 1980, the model derives it’s name from the Spanish word “rastrojos”, meaning crop residue or “stubble”. The truck was designed with this sort of rough surface in mind and indeed the first generation Rastrojero featured high fenders to prevent large amounts of mud building up in the arches.

The second generation model replicated by Coffaro appeared in 1969. Buyers could opt for a 1.8 litre Borgward diesel or a 2.0 litre Peugeot XD block and a number of body styles including a double cab version, dropside flatbed, and panel van. There was even a car based on the Rastrojero; the Conosur sedan, which was designed for use as a taxi. Production of the Rastrojero trucks ended in 1980 with over 33,000 sold.

Coffaro’s version replicates the single cab pickup version and is finished in a gorgeous shade of green offset with black steel wheels.

The parts may be 3D printed but they’re hand assembled and painted which requires a lot of skill and patience, especially to get a finish as good as this! Yes there’s a bit of warping in certain areas but it’s nothing I can’t look past at all. This is a seriously neat little model.

The proportions are great, capturing the slightly awkward looks of the Rastrojero perfectly. Detail is strong considering the hand finishing, and it rolls wonderfully on treaded rubber tyres

It’s a vehicle you’d be hard pushed to find anyone who knows about it outside of Argentina, but that’s the beauty of Coffaro Wheels. Dario has managed to pair his skills to his love and knowledge of cars. He knows what domestic collectors in his native Argentina want and the cars that they would have grown up around. And those vehicles have now piqued the interest of curious collectors like me around the globe who love all things automotive and like to seek out the weird and wonderful. Tranquil collecting for sure.

Instagram: @alex_the_hoarder

Facebook: facebook.com/alexthehoarder

Reddit: u/alexthehoarder

Twitter: @AlexTheHoarder