[mountainboy]

alcohol in the fuel tank?

[marcodiego]

Yes. Cars powered by alcohol were common in Brazil. There was a government program with tax incentives, this helped us to become less dependent on external prices for petrol helping control inflation. Also, on less developed regions, utility cars - Pampa was a pickup - also had tax incentives as a way to promote development of the region. Of course, there was a law that prevented you from selling your utility car to other regions of the country.

This made an alcohol powered utility vehicle very attractive for the region at the time. It was probably the cheapest pickup one could buy.

[01acheru]

What a memory, my grandfather’s Santana! If it was a little cold it would never start on the first try…

Thanks for bringing this back :)

[marcodiego]

Those are not exactly good memories. Starting an engine should not require sensibility, skills and know a few incantations to convince the engine.

[01acheru]

I was a child so it always seemed funny to me. My uncle trying to make it start, failing, “No it is not like that, step out let me do it”, then my grandfather tried, nothing, a little push, a little mumbojumbo, try again… it was a magic ritual!

[CapitalistCartr]

Sugar (and hence alcohol fuel) is cheap and plentiful in Brazil. It competes with gasoline. So dual fuel vehicles are common.