Undoubtedly, the most stylish Avenger derivatives were the Brazilian ones… The Polara looked almost like a two-door Coupe, such was its roofline. Andy Thompson charts its evolution.
The Avenger was also made by Chrysler do Brasil from 1971 to 1980 as the Dodge 1500 (and 1800) and later as the Dodge Polara augmenting the Dart in popularity. Called Dodginho in Portuguese, it was not initially a sell out despite a relatively nice interior, partly because it was not well adapted to local driving conditions. To increase sales, its name was changed to Polara, which had a relatively good image, and GLS and GL models were added in 1980. It was the first Brazilian production vehicle to have a standard automatic transmission, and sales were steady for its last six years at about 13,000 per year. In 1981, Brazilian production of the Dodge 1500/1800 ceased, when Chrysler pulled out. In Brazil just the two door version was offered, which also featured a different style of rear side window to that used on the European model.
Press Photos
Pictures kindly supplied by Declan Berridge
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The Dodge Polara GLS Coupé looks like a cut-and-shut with a Ford Escort Mk2!
I thought exactly the same, Mark… Rostyle wheels feature as well.
From a UK standpoint the most notable thing about these Avengers was the ‘Brazilian block’. The larger 1800 engine was used in competition and they were known as ‘Brazilian block’ Avengers. I am not sure if the engine was homologated by Des O’Dell but quite few were in use at club level.
I’ve a dodge avenger 1976, asmbeling in indonesia, I am search a dashbord, spedo meter, and a gasoline gauge. do you have a idea? thanks
Hi guys, I’m from Brazil and have a 1980 Dodge Polara GL, (and my english is terrible) some points, all the Brazillian Avengers where produced with 1800 engine, the dodges/volkswagen 1500 was produced at Argentina only, we only have the coupé model.
The last year of production was 1981, when Volkswagen buy the chrysler factory (1980) and decide use that factory to made trucks.
They don’t sell so much at first years, but at 1977 with factory adjustments, the car was choosed like “Car of the year” by a specialized magazine “Auto Esporte”. They change the name to Polara trying erase the bad image of the first years, but at this time was to late.
Another point, the SU/Hitachi carburator was a great one for Polara, but the brazillian mechanix doesn’t know how to fix ’em, sad, but true.
Can anyone tell me about the Brazilian 2 litres version of the Avenger engine? Were they only for special request (rally), not standard? For many years I have heard about the Brazilian 2 litres block, but it’s hard to find anything about it. There was also a BRM (British Racing Motors) twin cam head made for Avengers, did they also make them inBrazil? Hope someone can answer me, thank you.
Do not forget where the Hillman Avengers finished their long existence : built until year 1991 with a facelifted version of Volkswagen Argentina , simply called Volkswagen 1500 , a car that improved a lot the inherent qualities of the original Brit versions