Barreiros (manufacturer) - The Spanish Dodges

The Spanish Dodges

From 1965 to 1970 a Spanish version of the Dodge Dart based on the original from the United States was manufactured in the Barreiros Villaverde factory in Madrid, using the same 111 in (2,819 mm) wheelbase but with different sheet metal, the Dodge 3700 (commonly known as the Dart) was produced from 1971 to 1977. A total of 17589 units were manufactured of both models in Spain, they were produced as a SKD due to the protectionist Spanish regulations of those years.

The Dart and the 3700 were the biggest national production car available in Spain during all production years. It was an expensive luxury car with very low fuel economy by Spanish standards.

The GL designation was a luxury model, while the GT was the sporty version.

All gasoline Dodges had the biggest engine ever mounted into a mass production car in Spain, the 225 cu in (3.7 l) Chrysler Slant 6 engine. The "3700" number is a reference to the 3.7 litres of displacement. No other six cylinder engine car has been produced in as big numbers in Spain.

A diesel Dart (named "Barreiros Diesel") was also produced. These models were very basic and very slow, and used the round taillights from the first generation Simca 1000.

There was also a station wagon version, as well as variants (diplomatic motorcade cars, ambulances, hearses, etc.)

Production of Spanish the Dodge Dart/Dodge 3700 stopped in 1977. Peugeot bought the Villaverde factory, as Chrysler was divesting European operations in Spain, France and the United Kingdom.

Spanish Dodges were popular with members of the Spanish government during the 1960s and 1970s. Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco was killed on 20 December 1973 while travelling in his Dodge 3700 GT. On 12 June 1975, Fernando Herrero Tejedor, a Minister Secretary General of the Movimiento Nacional and the politician mentoring Adolfo Suárez, died in a car accident while travelling in his official Dodge 3700 in the municipality of Adanero.