The Santana Ligero was a light off-roader developed by Santana Motor as a military vehicle, the 88M, and later offered to civilians. Production began around 1969 and the civilian version appeared in 1980. It used the chassis and aluminium body of the Land Rover Santana Series IIa, with a four-speed gearbox and a two-speed transfer box.
Santana Ligero at a glance
| Production | military from c. 1969; civilian from 1980 |
|---|---|
| Also called | 88M (military) |
| Based on | Land Rover Santana Series IIa |
| Body | aluminium; canvas roof, fibreglass roof optional |
| Wheelbases | short and long |
| Seats | six in the civilian version |
| Petrol engine | 2,286 cc, 81 hp at 4,250 rpm |
| Diesel engine | 2,286 cc, 62 hp at 4,000 rpm |
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual with low range |
| Payload | 250 kg short wheelbase; up to 1,000 kg long |
Based on one source: the Spanish Wikipedia article on the Santana Ligero.
History of the Santana Ligero
The Ligero was designed as a military vehicle, the 88M, and its production began around 1969. It was developed in parallel with the British Land Rover 1/2-ton Lightweight, although the two had little in common. The Spanish vehicle used the Land Rover Santana Series IIa as its base, in short- and long-wheelbase form, with an aluminium body and the same engines. Santana built ambulance, communications, wading and machine-gun versions; payload was 250 kg on the short wheelbase and up to one tonne on the long one.
In 1980 the market for small recreational off-roaders was growing, and Santana adapted the military Ligero for civilian use. The changes were small: a few body angles were rounded, the headlamps came from the SEAT 127, and bright modern colours were offered. All cars had a canvas roof as standard, with a fibreglass roof as an option, and there was room for six. The civilian Ligero used the same 2,286 cc engines as the military model: a petrol unit with 81 hp at 4,250 rpm and 163 Nm at 2,500 rpm, and a diesel with 62 hp at 4,000 rpm and 139 Nm at 1,750 rpm. Competition from Japanese imports eventually pushed it out of the market.
Design and features
- Military origins: developed as the 88M from 1969.
- Series IIa base: aluminium body and the same engines as the Land Rover Santana.
- Two wheelbases: 250 kg payload short, up to one tonne long.
- Civilian version: canvas roof, SEAT 127 headlamps and bright colours from 1980.
- Six seats: aimed at young recreational buyers.
Santana Ligero versions
- 88M military: the original utility model.
- Ambulance: medical body.
- Communications: radio vehicle.
- Wading and machine-gun versions: specialised military bodies.
- Civilian Ligero (1980): canvas or fibreglass roof, six seats.
The Ligero was based on the Land Rover Santana Series IIa, and Santana later moved to Suzuki-based models such as the Santana SJ413. More vehicles are in the Santana collection.
Video: santana ligero "el melon mecanico"
Video by melonmecanico on YouTube.
Sources
- Santana Ligero, Spanish Wikipedia: military and civilian versions, engines, dimensions
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