I used to be navigating an unknown neighborhood in Buenos Aires final week after I stumbled upon a Suzuki-looking car with badges that proclaimed, “Powered by BMW.” Huh? By no means seen or heard something prefer it. I used to be aware of a number of hideous SsangYong fashions that had been powered by Mercedes-Benz engines (the actual fact was emblazoned on the rear in font greater than the car’s model title), however hadn’t heard of any car that used Bimmer energy. Strolling across the mini-SUV, I observed Bertone badges, however clearly this wasn’t a Malcom Bricklin-era Fiat X1/9. I whipped out my cellphone and snapped some pics, then went on-line after I obtained dwelling.

Correct info is difficult to return by (typically with one web site copying the wrong info of the opposite), however this Bertone Freeclimber 2 I used to be taking a look at was an precise model and mannequin based mostly on the Daihatsu Rocky. Why the Freelancer 2? As a result of there additionally was an everyday Freeclimber based mostly on the bigger Daihatsu Rugger, which was powered by a number of variations of BMW gasoline and diesel straight-sixes.

For the Freeclimber 2, Bertone changed the Daihatsu’s engine with a BMW 1.6-liter M40 SOHC 4, which was an engine by no means accessible in U.S.-spec BMW fashions. A five-speed handbook or computerized had been the 2 transmission decisions. Our bodies had been despatched from Japan to Bertone’s facility in Italy, which meant the Freeclimber 2 didn’t undergo from the quotas and tariffs on the time. Bertone labored its magic and styled the Rocky with extra distinguished entrance grille with quad headlights, extra aggressive fender cladding with outsized tires, two-tone paint job, and fancier inside.

Per the Web, manufacturing historical past just isn’t very clear, with one useful resource claiming the Freeclimber 2 was constructed from 1992-93, whereas one other says 1992-95 or ’96. Contemplating manufacturing supposedly reached 2,860 models, maybe the shorter period of the 2 makes essentially the most sense.